1999 GMC Sierra 1500 Pickup Owner's Manual - Page 234

z Your Driving and the Road NOTICF Pulling a trailer improperly can damageyourvehicleandresultincostly repairs not covered by your warranty. To pull a trailer correctly, follow advice in this section. the Every vehicle is ready for some trailer.towing. If it was .built with trailering options,asmanyare, it's ready for'heavier trailers.Buttrailering is different than just driving your vehicle by itself. Trailering means changes s handling, in durability, and fuel .economy. Successful, safe trailering .takes correct equipment,and it has to beusedproperly. That's the reason for this section. In it are many time-tested, important trailering tips and safety rules. Many of these are important for your safety and that ofyourpassengers. So please read this section carefully before you pull a trailer. If You Do Decide To Pull A Trailer If you do, herearesomeimportant.points. 0 . Therearemanydifferentlawshaving to do withtrailering.Makesure your rig will belegal,notonlywhereyoulivebutalsowhereyou'llbe driving. A good source for this information can be state or provincial police. .Consider using a sway control if your trailer will weigh 4,000pounds (1 800 kg) or less. You should always use a sway control if your trailer will weighmorethan 4,000 pounds(1800kg). You canaskahitch dealer about sway controls. or otherpartscouldbedamaged. Then,duringthefirst 500 miles(800km)thatyoutowatrailer,don't drive over 50 mph(80km/ti)anddon'tmake,startsatfullthrottle.That will help your engine and other parts of your vehicle wear in at the heavier load$. Threeimportantconsiderationshave to do withweight: Weight Weight of the Trailer How heavy can a trailer safely be? It shouldneverbemorethan13,500Ibs.(6125.6kg).Buteventhatcanbe too heavy. It dependsonhowyouplan to useyourrig. For example,speed, altitude, 'road grades,outsidetemperature,andhowmuchyourvehicleis Don'ttow atraileratallduringthefirst vehicle is driven. Yourengine,axle, 500 miles(800km) 'your new 4-56