weight CHEVROLET AVALANCHE 2006 1.G User Guide

Loading Your Vehicle
It is very important to know how much weight your
vehicle can carry. This weight is called the vehicle
capacity weight and includes the weight of all occupants,
cargo, and all nonfactory-installed options. Two labels
on your vehicle show how much weight it was designed
to carry, the Tire and Loading Information label and
the Certication/Tire label.
{CAUTION:
Do not load your vehicle any heavier than the
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR), or either
the maximum front or rear Gross Axle Weight
Rating (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.
Tire and Loading Information Label
A vehicle specic Tire and Loading Information label is
attached to the center pillar (B-pillar). With the driver’s
door open, you will nd the label attached below
the door lock post (striker). The tire and loading
information label shows the number of occupant seating
positions (A), and the maximum vehicle capacity
weight (B) in kilograms and pounds.Label Example
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The Tire and Loading Information label also shows the
size of the original equipment tires (C) and the
recommended cold tire ination pressures (D). For more
information on tires and ination seeTires on page 5-64
andInation - Tire Pressure on page 5-71.
There is also important loading information on the
vehicle Certication/Tire label. It tells you the Gross
Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) and the Gross
Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) for the front and rear axles.
See “Certication/Tire Label” later in this section.
Steps for Determining Correct Load Limit
1. Locate the statement “The combined weight of
occupants and cargo should never exceed
XXX kg or XXX lbs” on your vehicle’s placard.
2. Determine the combined weight of the driver and
passengers that will be riding in your vehicle.
3. Subtract the combined weight of the driver and
passengers from XXX kg or XXX lbs.4. The resulting gure equals the available amount of
cargo and luggage load capacity. For example, if
the “XXX” amount equals 1400 lbs and there will be
ve 150 lb passengers in your vehicle, the amount
of available cargo and luggage load capacity is
650 lbs (1400−750 (5 x 150) = 650 lbs).
5. Determine the combined weight of luggage and
cargo being loaded on the vehicle. That weight
may not safely exceed the available cargo
and luggage load capacity calculated in Step 4.
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 4-62for
important information on towing a trailer, towing
safety rules and trailering tips.
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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)Item Description Total
AVehicle Capacity Weight
for Example 2=1,000 lbs (453 kg)
BSubtract Occupant
Weight 150 lbs
(68 kg)×5=750 lbs (136 kg)
CAvailable Cargo
Weight=250 lbs (113 kg) Example 1
Example 2
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Item Description Total
AVehicle Capacity Weight
for Example 3=1,000 lbs (453 kg)
BSubtract Occupant
Weight 200 lbs
(91 kg)×5=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
A vehicle specic Certication/Tire label is attached to
the rear edge of the driver’s door. The label shows
the size of your vehicle’s original tires and the ination
pressures needed to obtain the gross weight capacity
of your vehicle. This is called Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating (GVWR). The GVWR includes the weight of the
vehicle, all occupants, fuel and cargo. Example 3
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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 “What is
front axle reserve capacity weight and how do I
calculate it?” underAdding a Snow Plow or Similar
Equipment on page 4-52.
And, if you do have a heavy load, you should spread
it out.
{CAUTION:
In the case of a sudden stop or collision,
things carried in the bed of your truck could
shift forward and come into the passenger
area, injuring you and others. If you put things
in the bed of your truck, you should make sure
they are properly secured.
{CAUTION:
Do not load your vehicle any heavier than the
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR), or either
the maximum front or rear Gross Axle Weight
Rating (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.
Your warranty does not cover parts or components that
fail because of overloading.
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 will go as fast
as the vehicle goes. If you have to stop or turn
quickly, or if there is a crash, they will keep going.
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{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 is also important loading information for off-road
driving in this manual. See “Loading Your Vehicle
for Off-Road Driving” underOff-Road Driving on
page 4-17.
Add-On Equipment
When you carry removable items, you may need to put
a limit on how many people you can carry inside
your vehicle. Be sure to weigh your vehicle before you
buy and install the new equipment.
Notice:Overloading your vehicle may cause
damage. Repairs would not be covered by your
warranty. Do not overload your vehicle.
Remember not to exceed the Gross Axle Weight Rating
(GAWR) of the front or rear axle. SeeAdding a Snow
Plow or Similar Equipment on page 4-52for additional
information.
The Cargo Weight Rating (CWR) is the maximum
weight of the load your vehicle can carry. It does not
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.
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Adding a Snow Plow or Similar
Equipment
Before installing a snow plow on your vehicle, here are
some things you will need to know:
Notice:If your vehicle does not have the snow
plow prep package, adding a plow can damage your
vehicle, and the repairs would not be covered by
warranty. Unless your vehicle was built to carry
a snow plow, do not add one to your vehicle. If your
vehicle has the snow plow prep package, called
RPO VYU, then the payload your vehicle can carry
will be reduced when a snow plow is installed. Your
vehicle can be damaged if either the front or rear
axle ratings or the Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) are
exceeded.
Q:How do I know if my vehicle can handle a
snow plow?
A:Some vehicles are built with a special snow plow
prep package, called RPO VYU. If your vehicle
has this option, you can add a plow to it, provided
certain weights, such as the weights on the
vehicle’s axles and the Gross Vehicle Weight
(GVW), are not exceeded.
Q:How heavy can a snow plow safely be?
A:The plow your vehicle can carry depends on many
things, such as:
The options your vehicle came with, and the weight
of those options.
The weight and number of passengers you intend
to carry.
The weight of items you have added to your
vehicle, like a tool box.
The total weight of any additional cargo you intend
to carry.
Say, for example, you have a 700 lb (318 kg) snow
plow. The total weight of all occupants and cargo inside
the cab should not exceed 300 lb (135 kg). This
means that you may only be able to carry one
passenger. But, even this may be too much if you have
got other equipment already adding to the weight of
your vehicle.
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Here are some guidelines for safely carrying a snow
plow on your vehicle:
Make sure the weight on the front and rear axles
does not exceed the axle rating for each.
For the front axle, if more cargo or passengers
must be carried, appropriate counter ballast must be
installed rear of the rear axle. Counter ballast
must be properly secured so it will not move during
driving.
Follow the snow plow manufacturer’s
recommendations regarding rear ballast. Rear
ballast may be required to ensure a proper front and
rear weight distribution ratio, even though the
actual weight at the front axle may be less than the
front axle rating.
The snow plow manufacturer or installer can assist
you in determining the amount of rear ballast
required, to help make sure your snowplow/vehicle
combination does not exceed the GVW rating,
the front and rear axle ratings, and the front and
rear weight distribution ratio.
The total vehicle must not exceed the GVW rating.
Q:What is front axle reserve capacity, and how do
I calculate it?
A:Front axle reserve capacity is the difference
between your front Gross Axle Weight Rating
(GAWR) and the front axle weight of your vehicle
with full fuel and passengers. Basically, it is
the amount of weight you can add to your front axle
before reaching your front GAWR.
The front axle reserve capacity for your vehicle can be
found in the lower right corner of the Certication/Tire
label, as shown.
United States
Canada
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In order to calculate the amount of weight any front
accessory, such as a snow plow, is adding to the front
axle, use the following formula:
(W x (A + W.B.)) /W.B.= Weight the accessory is adding
to the front axle.
Where:
W = Weight of added accessory
A = Distance that the accessory is in front of the
front axle
W.B. = Vehicle WheelbaseFor example, adding a 700 lb (318 kg) snow plow
actually adds more than 700 lbs (318 kg) to the front
axle. Using the formula, if the snow plow is 4 ft (122 cm)
in front of the front axle and the wheel base is 10 ft
(305 cm), then:
W = 700 lb (318 kg)
A = 4 ft (122 cm)
W.B. = 10 ft (305 cm)
(W x (A + W.B.))/W.B. = (700 x (4 + 10))/10 =
980 lbs (445 kg)
So, if your vehicle’s front axle reserve capacity is more
than 980 lbs (445 kg), you could add the snow plow
without exceeding the front GAWR.
Q:What if I want to add heavier equipment to my
vehicle?
A:You can add heavier equipment on the front of the
vehicle if you compensate for it by carrying fewer
passengers, less cargo, or by positioning cargo
towards the rear. This has the effect of reducing the
load on the front. However, the front GAWR, rear
GAWR, and the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
(GVWR) must never be exceeded.
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{CAUTION:
On some vehicles that have certain front
mounted equipment, such as a snow plow, it
may be possible to load the front axle to the
front gross axle weight rating (GAWR) but not
have enough weight on the rear axle to have
proper braking performance. If your brakes can
not work properly, you could have a crash. To
help your brakes work properly when a snow
plow is installed, always follow the snow plow
manufacturer or installer’s recommendation for
rear ballast to ensure a proper front and rear
weight distribution ratio, even though the
actual front weight may be less than the front
GAWR, and the total vehicle weight is less
than the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR).
Maintaining a proper front and rear weight
distribution ratio is necessary to provide
proper braking performance.
Q:What is total vehicle reserve capacity?
A:This is the difference between your GVWR and the
weight of your vehicle with full fuel and passengers.
It is the amount of weight you can add to your
vehicle before reaching your GVWR. Keep in mind
that reserve capacity numbers are intended as
a guide when selecting the amount of equipment or
cargo your vehicle can carry. If you are unsure
of your vehicle’s front, rear, or total weight, go to a
weigh station and weigh your vehicle. Your
dealer can also help you with this.
The total vehicle reserve capacity for your vehicle
can be found in the lower right corner of the
Certication/Tire label as shown previously.
See your dealer for additional advice and information
about using a snow plow on your vehicle. Also,
seeLoading Your Vehicle on page 4-46.
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