2003 GMC Sierra 1500 Pickup Owner's Manual - Page 338

Do not load your vehicle any heavier than the GVWR, or either the maximumfront: or rear GAWR. If you do, parts on your vehicle can break, and it can change the way your vehicle handles. These could cause you to lose control and crash. Also, overloading can shorten the lifeof your vehicle. Notice: Your warranty does not cover parts or components that fail becauseof overloading. This will help you decide how much cargo and installed equipment your truck can carry. Using heavier suspension components to get added durability might not change your weight ratings. Ask your dealer to help you load your vehicle the right way. Things you put inside your vehicle can strike and injure people in a sudden stop or turn, or in a crash. Put things in the trunk of your vehicle. In a trunk, put them as far forward as youcan. Try to spread the weight evenly. Never stack heavier things, like suitcases, inside the vehicle that some of them so are above the topsof the seats. Don't leave an unsecured child restraint in your vehicle. When you carry something inside the vehicle, secure it whenever you can. There's also important loading information for off-road driving in this manual. See "Loading Your Vehicle for Off-Road Driving" under Off-Road Driving with Your Four- WheelDrive Vehicle on page 4-2 1. If you put things inside your vehicle - like suitcases, tools, packages, or anything else - they go as fast as the vehicle goes. If you have to stop or turn quickly, or if there is a crash, they'll keep going. 4-57