trailer CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2011 2.G Workshop Manual
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Page 405 of 588
Black plate (111,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-111
Weight of the Trailering
Combination
It is important that the combination
of the tow vehicle and trailer
does not exceed any of its weight
ratings—GCWR, GVWR, RGAWR,
Trailer Weight Rating, or Tongue
Weight. The only way to be sure it is
not exceeding any of these ratings
is to weigh the tow vehicle and
trailer combination, fully loaded for
the trip, getting individual weights
for each of these items.
Towing Equipment
Hitches
The correct hitch equipment helps
maintain combination control.
Most small-to-medium trailers can
be towed with a weight-carrying
hitch which simply features a
coupler latched to the hitch ball. Larger trailers may require a
weight-distributing hitch that
uses spring bars to distribute
the trailer tongue weight among
the two vehicle and trailer axles.
Fifth-wheel and gooseneck hitches
may also be used. See
“Weight of
the Trailer Tongue” underTrailer
Towing
on page 9‑94for rating
limits with various hitch types.
If a step-bumper hitch will be used,
the bumper could be damaged
in sharp turns. Make sure there
is ample room when turning to avoid
contact between the trailer and the
bumper.
Consider using sway controls
with any trailer. Ask a trailering
professional about sway controls or
refer to the trailer manufacturer's
recommendations and instructions.
Weight‐Distributing Hitch
Adjustment
A. Body to Ground Distance
B. Front of Vehicle
When using a weight-distributing
hitch, the spring bars should be
adjusted so the distance (A) is the
same after coupling the trailer to the
tow vehicle and adjusting the hitch.
Page 406 of 588
Black plate (112,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2011
9-112 Driving and Operating
Fifth-Wheel and Gooseneck
Trailering
Fifth-wheel and gooseneck trailers
can be used with many pickup
models. These trailers place a
larger percentage of the weight
(kingpin weight) on the tow vehicle
than conventional trailers. Make
sure this weight does not cause the
vehicle to exceed GAWR or GVWR.
Fifth-wheel or gooseneck kingpin
weight should be 15 to 25 percent of
the trailer weight up to the maximum
amount specified in the trailering
chart for the vehicle. See“Weight of
the Trailer” underTrailer Towing
on
page 9‑94for more information. The hitch should be located in the
pickup bed so that its centerline is
over or slightly in front of the rear
axle. Take care that it is not so far
forward that it will contact the back
of the cab in sharp turns. This is
especially important for short box
pickups. Trailer pin box extensions
and sliding fifth-wheel hitch
assemblies can help this condition.
There should be at least six inches
of clearance between the top of the
pickup box and the bottom of the
trailer shelf that extends over
the box.
Make sure the hitch is attached to
the tow vehicle frame rails. Do not
use the pickup box for support.
Safety Chains
Always attach chains between the
vehicle and the trailer. Cross the
safety chains under the tongue
of the trailer to help prevent the
tongue from contacting the road
if it becomes separated from the
hitch. Instructions about safety
chains may be provided by the
hitch manufacturer or by the trailer
manufacturer. If the trailer being
towed weighs up to 2 271 kg
(5,000 lbs) with a factory-installed
step bumper, safety chains may
be attached to the attaching points
on the bumper; otherwise, safety
chains should be attached to holes
on the trailer hitch platform. Always
leave just enough slack so the
combination can turn. Never allow
safety chains to drag on the ground.
Page 407 of 588
Black plate (113,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-113
Trailer Brakes
A loaded trailer that weighs more
than 900 kg (2,000 lbs) needs to
have its own brake system that
is adequate for the weight of the
trailer. Be sure to read and follow
the instructions for the trailer brakes
so they are installed, adjusted, and
maintained properly.
If the vehicle is equipped with
StabiliTrak, the trailer cannot tap
into the vehicle's hydraulic brake
system.
The trailer brake system can tap
into the vehicle's hydraulic brake
system only if:
.The trailer parts can withstand
20 650 kPa (3,000 psi) of
pressure.
.The trailer's brake system
will use less than 0.3 cc
(0.02 cubic inch) of fluid from
the vehicle's master cylinder.
Otherwise, both braking systems
will not work well or at all.If everything checks out this far,
make the brake tap at the port on
the master cylinder that sends the
fluid to the rear brakes. Use only
steel brake tubing to make the tap.
Auxiliary Battery
The auxiliary battery provision can
be used to supply electrical power
to additional equipment that may be
added, such as a slide-in camper.
If the vehicle has this provision, this
relay will be located on the driver
side of the vehicle, next to the
underhood electrical center.
Be sure to follow the proper
installation instructions included
with any electrical equipment
that is installed.
Notice:
Leaving electrical
equipment on for extended
periods will drain the battery.
Always turn off electrical
equipment when not in use
and do not use equipment that
exceeds the maximum amperage
rating for the auxiliary battery
provision.
Trailer Wiring Harness
The vehicle is equipped with one of
the following wiring harnesses for
towing a trailer or hauling a slide-in
camper.
Basic Trailer Wiring
All regular, extended cab and crew
cab pickups have a seven‐wire
trailer towing harness.
For vehicles not equipped with
heavy duty trailering, the harness
is secured to the vehicle's frame
behind the spare tire mount.
The harness requires the installation
of a trailer connector, which is
available through your dealer.
If towing a light‐duty trailer with
a standard four‐way round pin
connector, an adapter is available
from your dealer.
Page 408 of 588
Black plate (114,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2011
9-114 Driving and Operating
Heavy-DutyTrailer Wiring Harness
Package
For vehicles equipped with heavy
duty trailering, the harness is
connected to a bracket on the hitch
platform. The seven-wire harness
contains the following trailer circuits:
.Yellow: Left Stop/Turn Signal
.Dark Green: Right Stop/Turn
Signal
.Brown: Taillamps
.White: Ground
.Light Green: Back-up Lamps
.Red: Battery Feed*
.Dark Blue: Trailer Brake*
*The fuses for these two circuits
are installed in the underhood
electrical center, but the wires are
not connected. They should be
connected by your dealer or a
qualified service center. The fuse
and wire for the ITBC is factory
installed and connected if the
vehicle is equipped with an ITBC.
The fuse for the battery feed is
not required if the vehicle has an
auxiliary battery. If the vehicle does
not have an auxiliary battery, have
your dealer or authorized service
center install the required fuse.
If charging a remote (non-vehicle)
battery, press the Tow/Haul Mode
button, if equipped, located at the
end of the shift lever. This will
boost the vehicle system voltage
and properly charge the battery. If the trailer is too light for Tow/Haul
Mode, or the vehicle is not equipped
with Tow/Haul, turn on the
headlamps as a second way to
boost the vehicle system and
charge the battery.
Camper/Fifth-Wheel Trailer Wiring
Package
The seven-wire camper harness
is located under the front edge of
the pickup box on the driver side
of the vehicle, attached to the
frame bracket. A connector must
be added to the wiring harness
which connects to the camper.
The harness contains the following
camper/trailer circuits:
.Yellow: Left Stop/Turn Signal
.Dark Green: Right Stop/Turn
Signal
.Brown: Taillamps
.White: Ground
.Light Green: Back-up Lamps
Page 409 of 588
Black plate (115,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-115
.Red: Battery Feed
.Dark Blue: Trailer Brake
If the vehicle is equipped with the
“Heavy-Duty Trailering”option,
please refer to “Heavy-Duty Trailer
Wiring Package” earlier in this
section.
When the camper-wiring harness
is ordered without the heavy-duty
trailering package, an eight-wire
harness with a seven-pin connector
is located at the rear of the vehicle
and is tied to the vehicle's frame.
Electric Brake Control Wiring
Provisions
These wiring provisions are
included with the vehicle as part of
the trailer wiring package. These
provisions are for an electric brake
controller. The instrument panel
contains blunt cut wires behind the
steering column for the trailer brake
controller. The harness contains the
following wires:
.Dark Blue: Brake Signal to
Trailer Connector
.Red/Black: Battery
.Light Blue/White: Brake Switch
.White: Ground
The harness should be installed by
your dealer or a qualified service
center. If the vehicle is equipped with an
Integrated Trailer Brake Control
(ITBC) System, the blunt cuts exist,
but are not connected further in the
harness. If an aftermarket trailer
brake controller is installed, the
ITBC must be disconnected. Do not
power both ITBC and aftermarket
controllers to control the trailer
brakes at the same time.
Tow/Haul Mode
Pressing this button at the end of
the shift lever turns on and off the
Tow/Haul Mode.
Page 410 of 588
Black plate (116,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2011
9-116 Driving and Operating
This indicator light on the instrument
panel cluster comes on when the
Tow/Haul Mode is on.
Tow/Haul is a feature that assists
when pulling a heavy trailer or a
large or heavy load. SeeTow/Haul
Mode
on page 9‑49for more
information.
Tow/Haul is designed to be 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” under
Trailer Towing
on page 9‑94.
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 benefit 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.
Integrated Trailer Brake
Control System
The vehicle may have an Integrated
Trailer Brake Control (ITBC) system
for electric trailer brakes.
This symbol is located on the
Trailer Brake Control Panel on
vehicles with an Integrated Trailer
Brake Control system. The power
output to the trailer brakes is based
on the amount of brake pressure
being applied by the vehicle’s brake
system. This available power output
to the trailer brakes can be adjusted
to a wide range of trailering
situations.
The ITBC system is integrated
with the vehicle’s brake, antilock
brake, and StabiliTrak (if equipped)
systems. In trailering conditions that
cause the vehicle’s antilock brake or
Page 411 of 588
Black plate (117,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-117
StabiliTrak systems to activate,
power sent to the trailer's brakes
will be automatically adjusted to
minimize trailer wheel lock-up.
This does not imply that the trailer
has StabiliTrak.
2500 and 3500 series vehicles with
StabiliTrak have a Trailer Sway
Control (TSC) feature. SeeTrailer
Sway Control (TSC) on page 9‑123.
2500 and 3500 series vehicles
with StabiliTrak have a Hill Start
Assist (HSA) feature. See Hill Start
Assist (HSA) on page 9‑70.
If the vehicle’s brake, antilock
brake, or StabiliTrak systems are
not functioning properly, the ITBC
system may not be fully functional
or may not function at all. Make
sure all of these systems are
fully operational to ensure full
functionality of the ITBC system.
The ITBC system is powered
through the vehicle's electrical
system. Turning the ignition off
will also turn off the ITBC system. The ITBC system is fully functional
only when the ignition is in ON or
in RUN.
The ITBC system can only be used
with trailers with electric brakes.
{WARNING
Connecting a trailer that is not
compatible with the ITBC system
may result in reduced or complete
loss of trailer braking. There may
be an increase in stopping
distance or trailer instability which
could result in personal injury or
damage to the vehicle, trailer,
or other property. An aftermarket
controller may be available for
use with trailers with surge, air,
or electric‐over‐hydraulic trailer
brake systems. To determine the
type of brakes on the trailer and
the availability of controllers,
check with your trailer
manufacturer or dealer.
When trailering, make sure of the
following:
.The ITBC system is used only
with trailers that are equipped
with electric brakes.
.All applicable local and federal
laws and regulations are
followed.
.All electrical and mechanical
connections to the trailer are
made correctly.
.The trailer
’s brakes are in proper
working condition.
.The trailer and vehicle are
properly loaded for the towing
condition.
The ITBC system is a
factory-installed item. Out‐of‐factory
installation of this system should not
be attempted. GM is not responsible
for warranty or performance of the
system resulting from out‐of‐factory
installation.
Page 412 of 588
Black plate (118,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2011
9-118 Driving and Operating
Trailer Brake Control Panel
A. Manual Trailer Brake ApplyLever
B. Trailer Gain Adjustment Buttons The ITBC system has a control
panel located on the instrument
panel to the left of the steering
column. See
Instrument Panel
(Base/Uplevel Version)
on
page 1‑2or Instrument Panel
(Premium Version)on page 1‑6.
The control panel allows adjustment
to the amount of output, referred
to as trailer gain, available to the
electric trailer brakes and allows
manual application of the trailer
brakes. The Trailer Brake Control
Panel is used along with the Trailer
Brake Display Page on the DIC to
adjust and display power output to
the trailer brakes.
Trailer Brake DIC Display Page
The ITBC system displays
messages on the vehicle’s Driver
Information Center (DIC). See Brake
System Messages
on page 5‑44for more information. The display page indicates
Trailer Gain setting, power output
to the electric trailer brakes, trailer
connection, and system operational
status.
The Trailer Brake Display Page can
be displayed by performing any of
the following actions:
.Scrolling through the DIC menu
pages using the odometer
trip stem or the DIC Vehicle
Information button (if equipped).
.Pressing a Trailer Gain
button—If the Trailer Brake
Display Page is not currently
displayed, pressing a Trailer
Gain button will first recall the
current Trailer Gain setting.
After the Trailer Brake Display
Page is displayed, each press
and release of the gain buttons
will then cause the Trailer Gain
setting to change.
Page 413 of 588
Black plate (119,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-119
.Activating the Manual Trailer
Brake Apply lever.
.Connecting a trailer equipped
with electric trailer brakes.
All DIC warning and service
messages must first be
acknowledged by the driver
by pressing the odometer trip stem
or the DIC Vehicle Information
button (if equipped) before the
Trailer Brake Display Page can
be displayed and Trailer Gain
can be adjusted.
TRAILER GAIN: This setting is
displayed any time the Trailer Brake
Display Page is active. This setting
can be adjusted from 0.0 to 10.0
with either a trailer connected or
disconnected. To adjust the Trailer
Gain, press one of the Trailer Gain
adjustment buttons located on the
Trailer Brake Control Panel. Press
and hold a gain button to cause the
Trailer Gain to continuously adjust.
To turn the output to the trailer off,
adjust the Trailer Gain setting to
0.0 (zero). 0.0 (zero) gain is the factory default
setting. To properly adjust trailer
gain, see
“Trailer Gain Adjustment
Procedure” later in this section.
TRAILER OUTPUT: This is
displayed any time a trailer with
electric brakes is connected. Output
to the electric brakes is based on
the amount of vehicle braking
present and relative to the Trailer
Gain setting. Output is displayed
from 0 to 10 bars for each gain
setting.
On vehicles with Trailer Sway
Control (TSC) or Hill Start Assist
(HSA), output to the electric trailer
brakes may be displayed when the
systems are active. See Trailer
Sway Control (TSC)
on page 9‑123and Hill Start Assist (HSA)on
page 9‑70. The Trailer Output will indicate
“- - - - - -”
on the Trailer Brake
Display Page whenever the
following occur:
.No trailer is connected
.A trailer without electric brakes
is connected (no DIC message
is displayed)
.A trailer with electric brakes
has become disconnected
(a CHECK TRAILER WIRING
message will also be displayed
on the DIC)
.There is a fault present in the
wiring to the electric trailer
brakes (a CHECK TRAILER
WIRING message will also be
displayed on the DIC)
.There is a fault in the ITBC
system (a SERVICE TRAILER
BRAKE SYSTEM message will
also be displayed in the DIC)
Page 414 of 588
Black plate (120,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2011
9-120 Driving and Operating
Manual Trailer Brake Apply
The Manual Trailer Brake Apply
Lever is located on the Trailer
Brake Control Panel and is used to
apply the trailer’s electric brakes
independent of the vehicle’s brakes.
This lever is used in the Trailer Gain
Adjustment Procedure to properly
adjust the power output to the trailer
brakes. Sliding the lever to the left
will apply only the trailer brakes.
The power output to the trailer is
indicated in the Trailer Brake
Display Page on the DIC. If the
vehicle’s service brakes are applied
while using the Manual Trailer Brake
Apply Lever, the trailer output power
will be the greater of the two.
The trailer's and the vehicle's brake
lamps will come on when either
vehicle braking or manual trailer
brakes are applied. Trailer Gain Adjustment Procedure
Trailer Gain should be set for a
specific trailering condition and
must be adjusted any time vehicle
loading, trailer loading, or road
surface conditions change.
Setting the Trailer Gain properly is
needed for the best trailer stopping
performance. A trailer that is
over-gained may result in locked
trailer brakes. A trailer that is
under-gained may result in not
enough trailer braking. Both of
these conditions may result in
poorer stopping and stability of
the vehicle and trailer.
Use the following procedure to
correctly adjust Trailer Gain for
each towing condition:
1. Make sure the trailer brakes are
in proper working condition.
2. Connect a properly loaded trailer to the vehicle and make
all necessary mechanical
and electrical connections.
See Vehicle Load Limits
on
page 9‑23for more information.
3. After the electrical connection is made to a trailer equipped with
electric brakes:
.A TRAILER CONNECTED
message will be briefly
displayed on the DIC.
.The Trailer Brake Display
Page will appear on the
DIC showing TRAILER
GAIN and TRAILER
OUTPUT.