weight CHEVROLET EXPRESS 2007 User Guide

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 1Example 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=1000 lbs
(453 kg)
CAvailable Cargo
Weight=0 lbs (0 kg)Refer to your vehicle’s tire and loading information
label for specific 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.
Example 3
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Certication/Tire Label
A vehicle specific Certification/Tire label is found on
the rear edge of the driver door. The label shows
the size of your vehicle’s original tires and the
inflation pressures needed to obtain the grossweight 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.
The Certification/Tire label also tells you the
maximum weights for the front and rear axles,
called Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR). To find
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.
If there is a heavy load, it should be spread out.
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{WARNING:
Do not load the 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 the
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 the vehicle.
{WARNING:
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.
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Towing a Trailer
If the vehicle has a diesel engine, see the DURAMAX®
Diesel manual for more information.
{WARNING:
The driver can lose control when pulling a trailer if
the correct equipment is not used or the vehicle is
not driven properly. For example, if the trailer is
too heavy, the brakes may not work well — or
even at all. The driver and passengers could be
seriously injured. The vehicle may also be
damaged; the resulting repairs would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty. Pull a trailer only
if all the steps in this section have been followed.
Ask your dealer/retailer for advice and information
about towing a trailer with the vehicle.Notice:Pulling a trailer improperly can damage the
vehicle and result in costly repairs not covered
by the vehicle warranty. To pull a trailer correctly,
follow the advice in this section and see your
dealer/retailer for important information about
towing a trailer with the vehicle.
To identify the trailering capacity of the vehicle, read the
information in “Weight of the Trailer” that appears
later in this section.
Trailering is different than just driving the vehicle by
itself. Trailering means changes in handling,
acceleration, braking, durability and fuel economy.
Successful, safe trailering takes correct equipment, and
it has to be used properly.
The following information has 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
pulling a trailer.
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Pulling A Trailer
Here are some important points:
•There are many different laws, including speed limit
restrictions, having to do with trailering. Make sure
the rig will be legal, not only where you live but
also where you will 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.
•Do not tow a trailer at all during the first 500 miles
(800 km) the new vehicle is driven. The engine,
axle or other parts could be damaged.
•Then, during the first 500 miles (800 km) that a
trailer is towed, do not drive over 50 mph (80 km/h)
and do not make starts at full throttle. This helps
the engine and other parts of the vehicle wear in at
the heavier loads.
•Vehicles with an automatic transmissions can tow in
D (Drive). Shift the transmission to a lower gear if
the transmission shifts too often under heavy
loads and/or hilly conditions.Three important considerations have to do with weight:
•The weight of the trailer
•The weight of the trailer tongue
•The weight on the vehicle’s tires
Also see Tow/Haul later in this section for information
about the Tow/Haul button and the Tow/Haul indicator
light.
Weight of the Trailer
How heavy can a trailer safely be?
It depends on how the rig is used. For example, speed,
altitude, road grades, outside temperature and how
much the vehicle is used to pull a trailer are all
important. It can depend on any special equipment on
the 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.
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Use the following chart to determine how much the vehicle can weigh, based upon the vehicle model and options.
Vehicle Axle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR*
G1500 Cargo Van 2WD
4.3L V6 3.42 4,400 lbs (1 996 kg) 9,500 lbs (4 309 kg)
5.3L V83.42
3.736,700 lbs (3 039 kg) 12,000 lbs (5 443 kg)
H1500 Cargo Van AWD
5.3L V8 3.42 6,500 lbs (2 948 kg) 12,000 lbs (5 443 kg)
G1500 Passenger Van 2WD
5.3L V8 3.73 6,200 lbs (2 812 kg) 12,000 lbs (5 443 kg)
H1500 Passenger Van AWD
5.3L V8 3.73 6,000 lbs (2 722 kg) 12,000 lbs (5 443 kg)
G2500 Cargo Van 2WD Short Wheelbase
4.8L V83.73
4.106,400 lbs (2 903 kg)
7,400 lbs (3 357 kg)12,000 lbs (5 443 kg)
13,000 lbs (5 897 kg)
6.0L V83.73
4.108,400 lbs (3 810 kg)
10,000 lbs (4 536 kg)14,000 lbs (6 350 kg)
16,000 lbs (7 257 kg)
G2500 Cargo Van 2WD Long Wheelbase
4.8L V83.73
4.106,200 lbs (2 812 kg)
7,200 lbs (3 266 kg)12,000 lbs (5 443 kg)
13,000 lbs (5 897 kg)
6.0L 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)
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Vehicle Axle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR*
G2500 Passenger Van 2WD Short Wheelbase
6.0L V8 3.73 7,600 lbs (3 447 kg) 14,000 lbs (6 350 kg)
6.0L V8 4.10 9,600 lbs (4 355 kg) 16,000 lbs (7 257 kg)
G3500 Cargo Van 2WD Short Wheelbase
4.8L V83.73
4.106,400 lbs (2 903 kg)
7,400 lbs (3 295 kg)12,000 lbs (5 443 kg)
13,000 lbs (5 897 kg)
6.0L V83.73
4.108,400 lbs (3 810 kg)
10,000 lbs (4 536 kg)14,000 lbs (6 350 kg)
16,000 lbs (7 257 kg)
G3500 Cargo Van 2WD Long Wheelbase
4.8L V83.73
4.106,100 lbs (2 767 kg)
7,100 lbs (3 221 kg)12,000 lbs (5 443 kg)
13,000 lbs (5 897 kg)
6.0L 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)
G3500 Passenger Van 2WD Short Wheelbase
6.0L V8 3.73 7,600 lbs (3 447 kg) 14,000 lbs (6 350 kg)
G3500 Passenger Van 2WD Long Wheelbase
6.0L V8 3.73 7,300 lbs (3 311 kg) 14,000 lbs (6 350 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 the 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 8-6
for more information.
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Weight of the Trailer Tongue
The tongue load (A) of any trailer is an important weight
to measure because it affects the total gross weight
of the vehicle. The Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
includes the curb weight of the vehicle, any cargo
carried in it, and the people who will be riding in the
vehicle. If there are a lot of options, equipment,
passengers or cargo in the vehicle, it will reduce the
tongue weight the vehicle can carry, which will also
reduce the trailer weight the vehicle can tow. If towing a
trailer, the tongue load must be added to the GVW
because the vehicle will be carrying that weight, too. See
Loading the Vehicle on page 5-19for more information
about the 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.
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Do not exceed the maximum allowable tongue weight
for the 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.
After loading the trailer, weigh the trailer and then the
tongue, separately, to see if the weights are proper.
If they are not, adjustments might be made 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 the
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:
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 is 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).
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