CHEVROLET EXPRESS PASSANGER 2007 1.G Owners Manual

Press this button
located to the right of
the steering wheel
on the instrument panel
to turn tow/haul
mode on and off.
While activated, the
indicator light on the
instrument panel will
be on.
Tow/haul mode will turn off automatically when the
ignition is turned off. SeeTow/Haul Mode Light
on page 185.
Tow/haul is most effective when the vehicle and
trailer combined weight is at least 75 percent of the
vehicle’s Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR).
See “Weight of the Trailer” later in this section.
Driving with tow/haul activated without a heavy
load will cause reduced fuel economy and
unpleasant engine and transmission driving
characteristics, but will not cause damage.Weight of the Trailer
How heavy can a trailer safely be?
It depends on how you plan to use your rig. For
example, speed, altitude, road grades, outside
temperature and how much your vehicle is used to
pull a trailer are all important. It can also depend
on any special equipment that you have on
your vehicle, and the amount of tongue weight the
vehicle can carry. See “Weight of the Trailer
Tongue” later in this section for more information.
Maximum trailer weight is calculated assuming
only the driver is in the tow vehicle and it has all
the required trailering equipment. The weight
of additional optional equipment, passengers and
cargo in the tow vehicle must be subtracted
from the maximum trailer weight.
271

The following charts show how much your trailer can weigh, based upon vehicle model and options.
G1500 Cargo Van 2WD Axle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR*
4300 V6 3.42 4,300 lbs (1 950 kg) 9,500 lbs (4 309 kg)
5300 V83.42
3.735,900 lbs (2 676 kg) 12,000 lbs (5 443 kg)
*The Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) is the total allowable weight of the completely loaded vehicle and
trailer including any passengers, cargo equipment and conversion. The GCWR for your vehicle should not be
exceeded.
H1500 Cargo Van AWD Axle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR*
5300 V83.42
3.736,500 lbs (2 948 kg) 12,000 lbs (5 443 kg)
*The Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) is the total allowable weight of the completely loaded vehicle and
trailer including any passengers, cargo equipment and conversion. The GCWR for your vehicle should not be
exceeded.
G1500 Passenger
Van 2WDAxle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR*
4300 V6 3.42 3,900 lbs (1 769 kg) 9,500 lbs (4 309 kg)
5300 V83.42
3.736,300 lbs (2 858 kg) 12,000 lbs (5 443 kg)
*The Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) is the total allowable weight of the completely loaded vehicle and
trailer including any passengers, cargo equipment and conversion. The GCWR for your vehicle should not be
exceeded.
272

H1500 Passenger
Van AWDAxle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR*
5300 V83.42
3.736,100 lbs (2 767 kg) 12,000 lbs (5 443 kg)
*The Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) is the total allowable weight of the completely loaded vehicle and
trailer including any passengers, cargo equipment and conversion. The GCWR for your vehicle should not be
exceeded.
G2500 Cargo Van 2WD
Short WheelbaseAxle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR*
4800 V83.73
4.106,300 lbs (2 858 kg)
7,300 lbs (3 311 kg)12,000 lbs (5 443 kg)
13,000 lbs (5 897 kg)
6000 V83.73
4.108,300 lbs (3 765 kg)
10,000 lbs (4 536 kg)14,000 lbs (6 350 kg)
16,000 lbs (7 257 kg)
6600 V8 Diesel 3.73 10,000 lbs (4 536 kg) 17,000 lbs (7 711 kg)
*The Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) is the total allowable weight of the completely loaded vehicle and
trailer including any passengers, cargo equipment and conversion. The GCWR for your vehicle should not be
exceeded.
273

G2500 Cargo Van 2WD
Long WheelbaseAxle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR*
4800 V83.73
4.106,100 lbs (2 767 kg)
7,100 lbs (3 220 kg)12,000 lbs (5 443 kg)
13,000 lbs (5 897 kg)
6000 V83.73
4.108,100 lbs (3 674 kg)
10,000 lbs (4 536 kg)14,000 lbs (6 350 kg)
16,000 lbs (7 257 kg)
6600 V8 Diesel 3.73 10,000 lbs (4 536 kg) 17,000 lbs (7 711 kg)
*The Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) is the total allowable weight of the completely loaded vehicle and
trailer including any passengers, cargo equipment and conversion. The GCWR for your vehicle should not be
exceeded.
G2500 Passenger Van
2WD Short WheelbaseAxle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR*
4800 V83.73
4.105,800 lbs (2 631 kg)
6,800 lbs (3 084 kg)12,000 lbs (5 443 kg)
13,000 lbs (5 897 kg)
6000 V83.73
4.107,800 lbs (3 538 kg)
9,800 lbs (4 445 kg)14,000 lbs (6 350 kg)
16,000 lbs (7 257 kg)
6600 V8 Diesel 3.73 10,000 lbs (4 536 kg) 17,000 lbs (7 711 kg)
*The Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) is the total allowable weight of the completely loaded vehicle and
trailer including any passengers, cargo equipment and conversion. The GCWR for your vehicle should not be
exceeded.
274

G3500 Cargo Van 2WD
Short WheelbaseAxle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR*
4800 V83.73
4.106,200 lbs (2 812 kg)
7,200 lbs (3 266 kg)12,000 lbs (5 443 k3)
13,000 lbs (5 897 kg)
6000 V83.73
4.108,200 lbs (3 719 kg)
10,000 lbs (4 536 kg)14,000 lbs (6 350 kg)
16,000 lbs (7 257 kg)
6600 V8 Diesel 3.73 10,000 lbs (4 536 kg) 17,000 lbs (7 711 kg)
*The Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) is the total allowable weight of the completely loaded vehicle and
trailer including any passengers, cargo equipment and conversion. The GCWR for your vehicle should not be
exceeded.
G3500 Cargo Van 2WD
Long WheelbaseAxle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR*
4800 V83.73
4.106,000 lbs (2 721 kg)
7,000 lbs (3 175 kg)12,000 lbs (5 443 kg)
13,000 lbs (5 897 kg)
6000 V83.73
4.108,000 lbs (3 629 kg)
10,000 lbs (4 536 kg)14,000 lbs (6 350 kg)
16,000 lbs (7 257 kg)
6600 V8 Diesel 3.73 10,000 lbs (4 536 kg) 18,500 lbs (8 391 kg)
*The Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) is the total allowable weight of the completely loaded vehicle and
trailer including any passengers, cargo equipment and conversion. The GCWR for your vehicle should not be
exceeded.
275

G3500 Passenger Van
2WD Short WheelbaseAxle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR*
6000 V83.73
4.107,700 lbs (3 483 kg)
9,700 lbs (4 400 kg)14,000 lbs (6 350 kg)
16,000 lbs (7 257 kg)
6600 V8 Diesel 3.73 10,000 lbs (4 536 kg) 17,000 lbs (7 711 kg)
*The Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) is the total allowable weight of the completely loaded vehicle and
trailer including any passengers, cargo equipment and conversion. The GCWR for your vehicle should not be
exceeded.
G3500 Passenger Van
2WD Long WheelbaseAxle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR*
6000 V83.73
4.107,400 lbs (3 357 kg)
9,400 lbs (4 264 kg)14,000 lbs (6 350 kg)
16,000 lbs (7 257 kg)
6600 V8 Diesel 3.73 10,000 lbs (4 536 kg) 17,000 lbs (7 711 kg)
*The Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) is the total allowable weight of the completely loaded vehicle and
trailer including any passengers, cargo equipment and conversion. The GCWR for your vehicle should not be
exceeded.
Ask your dealer/retailer for our trailering information or advice, or write us at our Customer Assistance
Offices. SeeCustomer Assistance Offices on page 428for more information.
276

Weight of the Trailer Tongue
The tongue load (A) of any trailer is an important
weight to measure because it affects the total
or gross weight of your vehicle. The Gross Vehicle
Weight (GVW) includes the curb weight of the
vehicle, any cargo you may carry in it, and
the people who will be riding in the vehicle.
If you have a lot of options, equipment, passengers
or cargo in your vehicle, it will reduce the tongue
weight your vehicle can carry, which will also
reduce the trailer weight your vehicle can tow.
And if you will tow a trailer, you must add
the tongue load to the GVW because your vehicle
will be carrying that weight, too. SeeLoading
Your Vehicle on page 261about your vehicle’s
maximum load capacity.The trailer tongue weight (A) should be 10 percent
to 15 percent of the total loaded trailer weight (B),
up to a maximum of 400 lbs (181 kg) with a weight
carrying hitch. The trailer tongue weight (A) should
be 10 percent to 15 percent of the total loaded
trailer weight (B), up to a maximum of 1,000 lbs
(454 kg) with a weight distributing hitch.
Do not exceed the maximum allowable tongue
weight for your 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.
277

After you’ve loaded your trailer, weigh the trailer
and then the tongue, separately, to see if the
weights are proper. If they aren’t, you may be able
to get them right simply 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 your trailering capacity more
than the total of the additional weight.
Consider the following example:
A vehicle model base weight is 5,500 lbs
(2 495 kg); 2,800 lbs (1 270 kg) at the front
axle and 2,700 lbs (1 225 kg) at the rear axle.
It has a GVWR of 7,200 lbs (3 266 kg), a
RGAWR of 4,000 lbs (1 814 kg) and a GCWR
(Gross Combination Weight Rating) of
14,000 lbs (6 350 kg).The trailer rating should be:
You can expect tongue weight to be at least
10 percent of trailer weight (850 lbs (386 kg)) and
because the weight is applied well behind the
rear axle, the effect on the rear axle will be
greater than just the weight itself, as much as
1.5 times as much. The weight at the rear
axle could be 850 lbs (386 kg) X 1.5 = 1,275 lbs
(578 kg). Since the rear axle already weighs
2,700 lbs (1 225 kg), adding 1,275 lbs (578 kg)
brings the total to 3,975 lbs (1 803 kg). This
is very close to, but within the limit for RGAWR
as well. The vehicle is set to trailer up to
8,500 lbs (3 856 kg).
But let’s say your specific vehicle is equipped with
some of the latest options and you have a front
seat passenger and two rear seat passengers with
some luggage and gear in the vehicle as well.
278

You may add 300 lbs (136 kg) to the front axle
weight and 400 lbs (181 kg) to the rear axle
weight. Your vehicle now weighs:
Weight is still below 7,200 lbs (3 266 kg) and you
may think that you should subtract 700 additional
pounds (318 kg) from your trailering capacity to
stay within GCWR limits. Your maximum trailer
would only be 7,800 lbs (3 538 kg). You may go
further and think you must limit tongue weight to
less than 1,000 lbs (454 kg) to avoid exceeding
GVWR. But, you must still consider the effect on therear axle. Because your rear axle now weighs
3,100 lbs (1 406 kg), you can only put 900 lbs
(408 kg) on the rear axle without exceeding
RGAWR. The effect of tongue weight is about
1.5 times the actual weight. Dividing the 900 lbs
(408 kg) by 1.5 leaves you with being able to
handle only 600 lbs (272 kg) of tongue weight.
Since tongue weight is usually at least 10 percent of
total loaded trailer weight, you can expect that the
largest trailer your vehicle can properly handle is
6,000 lbs (2 721 kg).
It is important that you make sure your vehicle
does not exceed any of its ratings — GCWR,
GVWR, RGAWR, Maximum Trailer Rating
or Tongue Weight. The only way to be sure you
are not exceeding any of these ratings is to weigh
your vehicle and trailer.
279

Total Weight on Your Vehicle’s Tires
Be sure your vehicle’s tires are inflated to the
upper limit for cold tires. You’ll find these numbers
on the Certification label at the rear edge of the
driver’s door or seeLoading Your Vehicle on
page 261. Then be sure you don’t go over
the GVW limit for your vehicle, or the GAWR,
including the weight of the trailer tongue. If you use
a weight distributing hitch, make sure you don’t
go over the rear axle limit before you apply
the weight distribution spring bars.
Hitches
It’s important to have the correct hitch equipment.
Crosswinds, large trucks going by and rough roads
are a few reasons why you’ll need the right hitch.
The rear bumper on your vehicle is not intended
for hitches. Do not attach rental hitches or
other bumper-type hitches to it. Use only a
frame-mounted hitch that does not attach to
the bumper.
Weight-Distributing Hitches and Weight
Carrying Hitches
When using a weight-distributing hitch, the hitch
must be adjusted so that the distance (A) remains
the same both before and after coupling the
trailer to the tow vehicle.
If you use a step-bumper hitch, your bumper could
be damaged in sharp turns. Make sure you
have ample room when turning to avoid contact
between the trailer and the bumper.
(A) Body to Ground Distance, (B) Front of Vehicle
280