2013 Chevrolet Express 1500 Passenger Owner Manual - Page 243

Driving and Operating Ask your dealer for our trailering information or advice, or write us at our Customer Assistance Offices. See Customer Assistance Offices (U.S. and Canada) on page 13‑5 or Customer Assistance Offices (Mexico) on page 13‑5 for more information. Vehicle Load Limits on page 9‑10 for more information about the vehicle's maximum load capacity. 9-53 Do not exceed the maximum allowable tongue weight for the vehicle. Choose the shortest hitch extension that will position the hitch ball closest to the vehicle. This will help reduce the effect of trailer tongue weight on the rear axle. After loading the trailer, weigh the trailer and then the tongue, separately, to see if the weights are proper. If they are not, adjustments might be made by moving some items around in the trailer. Trailering may be limited by the vehicle's ability to carry tongue weight. Tongue weight cannot cause the vehicle to exceed the GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) or the RGAWR (Rear Gross Axle Weight Rating). The effect of additional weight may reduce the trailering capacity more than the total of the additional weight. It is important that the vehicle does not exceed any of its ratings - GCWR, GVWR, RGAWR, Maximum Trailer Rating or Tongue Weight of the Trailer Tongue The tongue load (1) of any trailer is an important weight to measure because it affects the total gross weight of the vehicle. The Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) includes the curb weight of the vehicle, any cargo carried in it, and the people who will be riding in the vehicle. If there are a lot of options, equipment, passengers, or cargo in the vehicle, it will reduce the tongue weight the vehicle can carry, which will also reduce the trailer weight the vehicle can tow. If towing a trailer, the tongue load must be added to the GVW because the vehicle will be carrying that weight, too. See The trailer tongue weight (1) should be 10 percent to 15 percent of the total loaded trailer weight (2), up to a maximum of 181 kg (400 lbs) with a weight carrying hitch. The trailer tongue weight (1) should be 10 percent to 15 percent of the total loaded trailer weight (2), up to a maximum of 454 kg (1,000 lbs) with a weight distributing hitch.