trailer GMC SAVANA 2004 User Guide

Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle..........4-2
Defensive Driving...........................................4-2
Drunken Driving.............................................4-3
Control of a Vehicle........................................4-6
Braking.........................................................4-6
Locking Rear Axle..........................................4-9
Stabilitrak
®System.........................................4-9
Steering......................................................4-11
Off-Road Recovery.......................................4-13
Passing.......................................................4-14
Loss of Control.............................................4-15
Driving at Night............................................4-16
Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads..................4-18City Driving..................................................4-21
Freeway Driving...........................................4-22
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.......................4-23
Highway Hypnosis........................................4-24
Hill and Mountain Roads................................4-24
Winter Driving..............................................4-26
If You Are Stuck: In Sand, Mud,
Ice or Snow..............................................4-30
Towing..........................................................4-31
Towing Your Vehicle.....................................4-31
Recreational Vehicle Towing...........................4-31
Loading Your Vehicle....................................4-31
Towing a Trailer...........................................4-37
Section 4 Driving Your Vehicle
4-1

Towing
Towing Your Vehicle
Consult your dealer or a professional towing service if
you need to have your disabled vehicle towed. See
Roadside Assistance Program on page 7-6.
If you want to tow your vehicle behind another vehicle
for recreational purposes (such as behind a motorhome),
see “Recreational Vehicle Towing” following.
Recreational Vehicle Towing
Recreational vehicle towing means towing your vehicle
behind another vehicle — such as behind a motorhome.
The two most common types of recreational vehicle
towing are known as “dinghy towing” (towing your
vehicle with all four wheels on the ground) and “dolly
towing” (towing your vehicle with two wheels on
the ground and two wheels up on a device known
as a “dolly”).
Notice:Towing an all-wheel-drive vehicle with all
four wheels on the ground, or even with only two of
its wheels on the ground, will damage drivetrain
components. Do not tow an all-wheel-drive vehicle if
any of its wheels will be on the ground.Your vehicle was not designed to be towed with any of
its wheels on the ground. If your vehicle must be
towed, it should be placed on a platform trailer.
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 may properly
carry, the Tire and Loading Information label and the
Certication/Tire label.
{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.
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Steps for Determining Correct Load Limit
1. Locate the statement “The combined weight of
occupants and cargo should never exceed XXX
pounds” on your vehicle 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 kilograms or XXX pounds.
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 4-37for
important 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) Example 1
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Payload
The Payload Capacity is shown on the Certication/Tire
label. This is the maximum load capacity that your
vehicle can carry. Be sure to include the weight of the
people inside as part of your load. If you added any
accessories or equipment after your vehicle left
the factory, remember to subtract the weight of these
things from the payload. Your dealer can help you
with this.
Add-On Equipment
When you carry removable items, you may need to put
a limit on how many people you carry inside your
vehicle. Be sure to weigh your vehicle before you buy
and install the new equipment.
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 that would
not be covered by your warranty. Always follow
the instructions in this section and check with your
dealer for more information about towing a trailer
with your vehicle.
To identify the trailering capacity of your vehicle, you
should read the information in “Weight of the Trailer” that
appears later in this section.
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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 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.
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.
See also “Driving on Grades” later in this section.
Three important considerations have to do with weight:
the weight of the trailer,
the weight of the trailer tongue
and the weight on your vehicle’s tires.
Tow/Haul Mode
Tow/haul is designed to assist while your vehicle is
pulling a large or heavy load or trailer. Tow/haul is most
useful while pulling such a load in rolling terrain, in
stop-and-go traffic, or when you need improved
low-speed control, such as when parking. The purpose
of the tow/haul mode is to:
Reduce the frequency and improve the predictability
of transmission shifts,
provide the same solid shift feel when pulling a
heavy load as when the vehicle is unloaded, and
improve control of vehicle speed while requiring less
throttle pedal activity.
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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 3-36.
Tow/haul is 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.
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. And, it can also depend
on any special equipment that you have on your vehicle.
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The following chart shows how much your trailer can weigh, based upon vehicle model and options.
Vehicle Axle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR
G1500 Cargo Van 2WD
4300 V6 3.42 4,400 lbs. (1 996 kg) 9,500 lbs. (4 309 kg)
5300 V83.42
3.736,600 lbs. (2 994 kg) 12,000 lbs. (5 443 kg)
Vehicle Axle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR
H1500 Cargo Van AWD
5300 V83.42
3.736,600 lbs. (2 994 kg) 12,000 lbs. (5 443 kg)
Vehicle Axle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR
G1500 Passenger Van 2WD
4300 V6 3.42 4,000 lbs. (1 814 kg) 9,500 lbs. (4 309 kg)
5300 V83.42
3.736,400 lbs. (2 903 kg) 12,000 lbs. (5 443 kg)
Vehicle Axle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR
H1500 Passenger Van AWD
5300 V83.42
3.736,200 lbs. (2 812 kg) 12,000 lbs. (5 443 kg)
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Vehicle Axle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR
G2500 Cargo Van 2WD
4300 V6 3.73 4,700 lbs. (2 132 kg) 9,500 lbs. (4 309 kg)
4800 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)
5300 V8 3.73 6,600 lbs. (2 994 kg) 12,000 lbs. (5 443 kg)
6000 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)
Vehicle Axle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR
H2500 Cargo Van AWD
5300 V8 3.73 6,400 lbs. (2 903 kg) 12,000 lbs. (5 443 kg)
Vehicle Axle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR
G2500 Cargo Van 2WD Long Wheelbase
4300 V6 3.73 4,500 lbs. (2 041 kg) 10,000 lbs. (4 536 kg)
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)
5300 V8 3.73 6,500 lbs. (2 948 kg) 12,000 lbs. (5 443 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)
4-41

Vehicle Axle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR
G2500 Passenger Van 2WD Short Wheelbase
6000 V83.73
4.107,900 lbs. (3 583 kg)
9,900 lbs. (4 491 kg)14,000 lbs. (6 350 kg)
16,000 lbs. (7 257 kg)
Vehicle Axle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR
G2500 Passenger Van 2WD Long Wheelbase
6000 V8 3.73
4.107,500 lbs. (3 402 kg)
9,500 lbs. (4 309 kg)14,000 lbs. (6 350 kg)
16,000 lbs. (7 257 kg)
Vehicle Axle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR
G3500 Cargo Van 2WD Short Wheelbase
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)
Vehicle Axle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR
G3500 Cargo Van 2WD Long Wheelbase
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)
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Vehicle Axle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR
G3500 Passenger Van 2WD Short Wheelbase
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
Vehicle Axle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR
G3500 Passenger Van 2WD Long Wheelbase
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
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.You can ask your dealer for our trailering information or
advice, or you can write us at the address listed in
your Warranty and Owner Assistance Information
Booklet.
In Canada, write to:
General Motors of Canada Limited
Customer Communication Centre, 163-005
1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario L1H 8P7
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