weight GMC YUKON 2004 User Guide

6. If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, the load from
your trailer will be transferred to your vehicle.
Consult this manual to determine how this reduces
the available cargo and luggage load capacity of
your vehicle.
SeeTowing a Trailer on page 4-63for more
information on towing a trailer, towing safety rules
and trailering tips.
Loading Your Vehicle
Item Description Total
AVehicle Capacity Weight
for Example 1=1,000 lbs (453 kg)
BSubtract Occupant Weight
150 lbs (68 kg)×2=300 lbs (136 kg)
CAvailable Occupant and
Cargo Weight =700 lbs. (317 kg)
Loading Your Vehicle
Item Description Total
AVehicle Capacity Weight
for Example 2 =1,000 lbs (453 kg)
BSubtract Occupant
Weight 150 lbs
(68kg)x5=750 lbs (340 kg)
CAvailable Cargo
Weight =250 lbs. (113 kg) Example 1
Example 2
4-58

Loading Your Vehicle
Item Description Total
AVehicle Capacity Weight
for Example 3 =1,000 lbs (453 kg)
BSubtract Occupant
Weight 200 lbs
(91kg)x5=1,000 lbs (453 kg)
CAvailable Cargo
Weight =0 lbs. (0 kg)
Refer to your vehicle’s tire and loading information label
for specic information about your vehicle’s capacity
weight and seating positions. The combined weight of
the driver, passengers and cargo should never
exceed your vehicle’s capacity weight.
Certication/Tire Label
The Certication/Tire label is found on the rear edge of
the driver’s door or in the Incomplete Vehicle
Document in the cab.
The label shows the size of your original tires and the
ination pressures needed to obtain the gross weight
capacity of your vehicle. This is called the GVWR (Gross
Vehicle Weight Rating). The GVWR includes the
weight of the vehicle, all occupants, fuel and cargo. Example 3
4-59

The Certication/Tire label also tells you the maximum
weights for the front and rear axles, called Gross
Axle Weight Rating (GAWR). To nd out the actual loads
on your front and rear axles, you need to go to a
weigh station and weigh your vehicle. Your dealer can
help you with this. Be sure to spread out your load
equally on both sides of the centerline.
Never exceed the GVWR for your vehicle, or the GAWR
for either the front or rear axle.
The Certication/Tire label also contains information
about your Front Axle Reserve Capacity. See “Front
Axle Reserve Capacity” later in this section.
And, if you do have a heavy load, you should spread
it out.
{CAUTION:
Do not load your vehicle any heavier than the
GVWR, or either the maximum front 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 life of your vehicle.
Notice:Overloading your vehicle may cause
damage. Repairs would not be covered by your
warranty. Do not overload your vehicle.
The label 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.
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.
4-60

{CAUTION:
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 cargo area of your
vehicle. Try to spread the weight evenly.
Never stack heavier things, like suitcases,
inside the vehicle so that some of them
are above the tops of the seats.
Do not leave an unsecured child restraint
in your vehicle.
When you carry something inside the
vehicle, secure it whenever you can.
Do not leave a seat folded down unless
you need to.
There’s also important loading information for off-road
driving in this manual. See″Loading Your Vehicle
for Off-Road Driving″in the Index.
Level Control
Automatic Level Control
The automatic level control rear suspension is available
on C/K 1500 vehicles and comes as a part of the
Autoride™ suspension, if equipped.
This type of level control is fully automatic and will
provide a better leveled riding position as well as better
handling under a variety of passenger and loading
conditions. An air compressor connected to the rear
shocks will raise or lower the rear of the vehicle
to maintain proper vehicle height. The system is
activated when the ignition key is turned to RUN and
will automatically adjust vehicle height thereafter.
The system may exhaust (lower vehicle height) for up to
ten minutes after the ignition key has been turned off.
You may hear the air compressor operating when
the height is being adjusted.
If a self-equalizing hitch is being used, it is
recommended to allow the shocks to inate, thereby
leveling the vehicle prior to adjusting the hitch.
4-61

Autoride™
If equipped, the Autoride™ feature will provide a
superior vehicle ride and handling under a variety of
passenger and loading conditions.
The system is fully automatic and uses a computer
controller to continuously monitor vehicle speed, wheel
to body position, lift/dive and steering position of the
vehicle. The controller then sends signals to each shock
absorber to independently adjust the damping level to
provide the optimum vehicle ride.
Autoride™ also interacts with the tow/haul switch that,
when engaged, will provide additional control of the
shock absorbers. This additional control results in better
ride and handling characteristics when the vehicle is
loaded or towing a trailer. SeeTow/Haul Mode Light on
page 3-56for more information.
Trailer Recommendations
You must subtract your hitch loads from the Cargo
Weight Rating (CWR) for your vehicle. CWR is the
maximum weight of the load your vehicle can carry. It
doesn’t include the weight of the people inside. But you
can gure about 150 lbs. (68 kg) for each seat. The total
cargo load must not be more than your vehicle’s CWR.
Weigh your vehicle with the trailer attached, so that you
won’t go over the GVWR or GAWR. If you are using
a weight-distributing hitch, weigh the vehicle without the
spring bars in place.
You’ll get the best performance if you spread out the
weight of your load the right way, and if you choose the
correct hitch and trailer brakes.
For more information, seeTowing a Trailer on page 4-63
Towing a Trailer.
4-62

Towing a Trailer
{CAUTION:
If you do not use the correct equipment and
drive properly, you can lose control when you
pull a trailer. For example, if the trailer is too
heavy, the brakes may not work well — or even
at all. You and your passengers could be
seriously injured. Pull a trailer only if you have
followed all the steps in this section. Ask your
dealer for advice and information about towing
a trailer with your vehicle.
Notice:Pulling a trailer improperly can damage
your vehicle and result in costly repairs not covered
by your warranty. To pull a trailer correctly, follow
the advice in this part, and see your dealer for
important information about towing a trailer with
your vehicle.
To identify the vehicle trailering capacity of your vehicle,
you should read the information in “Weight of the
Trailer” that appears later in this section.If yours was built with trailering options, as many are,
it’s ready for heavier trailers. But trailering is different
than just driving your vehicle by itself. Trailering means
changes in acceleration, braking, handling, durability
and fuel economy. Successful, safe trailering takes
correct equipment, and it has to be used properly.
That’s the reason for this part. In it are many time-tested,
important trailering tips and safety rules. Many of
these are important for your safety and that of your
passengers. So please read this section carefully before
you pull a trailer.
If You Do Decide To Pull A Trailer
If you do, here are some important points:
There are many different laws, including speed limit
restrictions, having to do with trailering. Make sure
your rig will be legal, not only where you live
but also where you’ll be driving. A good source for
this information can be state or provincial police.
Consider using a sway control. See “Hitches” later
in this section.
Don’t tow a trailer at all during the rst 500 miles
(800 km) your new vehicle is driven. Your engine,
axle or other parts could be damaged.
4-63

Then, during the rst 500 miles (800 km) that you
tow a trailer, don’t drive over 50 mph (80 km/h)
and don’t make starts at full throttle. This helps your
engine and other parts of your vehicle wear in at
the heavier loads.
You can tow in DRIVE (D). You may want to shift
the transmission to THIRD (3) or, if necessary, a
lower gear selection if the transmission shifts
too often (e.g., under heavy loads and/or hilly
conditions). See “Tow/Haul Mode” later in
this section.
Three important considerations have to do with weight:
The weight of the trailer
The weight of the trailer tongue
The weight on your vehicle’s tires
Tow/Haul Mode
Tow/Haul is a feature that assists when pulling a heavy
trailer or a large or heavy load. The purpose of the
Tow/Haul mode is to:
Reduce the frequency and improve the predictability
of transmission shifts when pulling a heavy trailer or
a large or heavy load.
Provide the same solid shift feel when pulling a
heavy trailer or a large or heavy load as when
the vehicle is unloaded.
Improve control of vehicle speed while requiring
less throttle pedal activity when pulling a heavy
trailer or a large or heavy load.
Your vehicle may be equipped with a button at the end of
the shift lever which, when pressed, enables tow/haul.
Your vehicle may be equipped with Autoride™
®which
further improves your vehicle’s ride while towing. See
Autoride™ on page 4-62for more information. When the
button is pressed, a light on the instrument panel will
illuminate to indicate that Tow/Haul has been selected.
Tow/Haul may be turned off by pressing the button again,
at which time the indicator light on the instrument panel
will turn off. The vehicle will automatically turn off Tow/
Haul every time it is started.
4-64

Tow/Haul is designed to be most effective when the
vehicle and trailer combined weight is at least 75% of
the vehicle’s Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR).
See Weight of the Trailer later in this section.
Tow/Haul is most useful under the following driving
conditions:
When pulling a heavy trailer or a large or heavy
load through rolling terrain.
When pulling a heavy trailer or a large or heavy
load in stop and go traffic.
When pulling a heavy trailer or a large or heavy
load in busy parking lots where improved low
speed control of the vehicle is desired.
Operating the vehicle in tow/haul when lightly loaded or
with no trailer at all will not cause damage. However,
there is no benet to the selection of Tow/Haul when the
vehicle is unloaded. Such a selection when unloaded
may result in unpleasant engine and transmission driving
characteristics and reduced fuel economy. Tow/Haul
is recommended only when pulling a heavy trailer or a
large or heavy load.
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. And, it can also depend
on any special equipment that you have on your vehicle.
Use one of the following charts to determine how
much your vehicle can weigh, based upon your vehicle
model and options.
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.
4-65

Vehicle* Axle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR
C-1500 (2WD)*
4800 V83.42
3.735,700 lbs. (2 585 kg)
6,700 lbs. (3 039 kg)11,000 lbs. (4 990 kg)
12,000 lbs. (5 443 kg)
5300 V83.42
3.736,700 lbs. (3 039 kg)
7,700 lbs. (3 492 kg)12,000 lbs. (5 443 kg)
13,000 lbs. (5 897 kg)
5300 V8 (Extended
Models)3.73
4.107,400 lbs. (3 356 kg)
8,400 lbs. (3 810 kg)13,000 lbs. (5 897 kg)
14,000 lbs. (6 350 kg)
Vehicle* Axle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR
K-1500 (4 WD)*
4800 V83.73
4.106,400 lbs. (2 902 kg)
7,400 lbs. (3 356 kg)12,000 lbs. (5 443 kg)
13,000 lbs. (5 897 kg)
5300 V83.73
4.107,500 lbs. (3 401 kg)
7,800 lbs. (3 538 kg)13,000 lbs. (5 897 kg)
14,000 lbs. (6 350 kg)
5300 V8 (Extended
Models)3.73
4.107,200 lbs. (3 265 kg)
8,200 lbs. (3 719 kg)13,000 lbs. (5 897 kg)
14,000 lbs. (6 350 kg)
4-66

Vehicle* Axle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR
C-2500 (2WD)*
6000 V8 (Extended
Models)**†3.73
4.107,900 lbs. (3 583 kg)
9,900 lbs. (4 490 kg)14,000 lbs. (6 350 kg)
16,000 lbs. (7 257 kg)**
6000 V8 w/4WS**3.73
4.107,600 lbs. (3447 kg)
9,600 lbs. (4354 kg)14,000 lbs. (6 350 kg)
16,000 lbs. (7 257 kg)
8100 V8 (Extended
Models)†3.73
4.1010,500 lbs. (4 762 kg)
12,000 lbs. (5 443 kg)17,000 lbs. (7 711 kg)
19,000 lbs. (8 618 kg)
**GCWR limited to 14,000 lbs. (6 356 kg) on extended models with Z83 suspension.
†2500 extended models (2WD) equipped with Z83 suspension limited to 7,900 lbs. (3 583 kg) trailer.
Vehicle* Axle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR
K-2500 (4WD)*
6000 V8 (Extended
Models)**†3.73
4.107,600 lbs. (3 447 kg)
9,600 lbs. (4 354kg)14,000 lbs. (6 350 kg)
16,000 lbs. (7 257 kg)**
6000 V8 w/4WS3.73
4.107,300 lbs. (3 311 kg)
9,300 lbs. (4 218 kg)14,000 lbs. (6 350 kg)
16,000 lbs. (7 257 kg)
8100 V8**†3.73
4.1010,200 lbs. (4 626 kg)
12,000 lbs. (5 443 kg)17,000 lbs. (7 711 kg)
19,000 lbs. (8 618 kg)
**GCWR limited to 14,000 lbs. (6 356 kg) on extended models with Z83 suspension.
†2500 Extended Models (4WD) equipped with Z83 base suspension limited to 7,900 lbs. (3 586 kg) trailer.
4-67