weight GMC SAVANA 2007 User Guide

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.
Certication/Tire Label
A vehicle specific Certification/Tire label is found on
the rear edge of the driver’s door. The label shows
the size of your vehicle’s original tires and the
inflation 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.
The Certification/Tire label also tells you the
maximum weights for the front and rear axles,
called Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR).
Example 3
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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.
And, if you do have a heavy load, you should
spread it out.
{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.
{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.
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.
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To identify the trailering capacity of your vehicle,
you should read the information in “Weight of
the Trailer” that appears later in this section.
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 first
500 miles (800 km) your new vehicle is driven.
Your engine, axle or other parts could be
damaged.
•Then, during the first 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
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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,
•improve control of vehicle speed while
requiring less throttle pedal activity.
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 185.
Tow/haul is 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” 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.
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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. It can also depend on
any special equipment that you have on your
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.
The following charts show how much your trailer can weigh, based upon vehicle model and options.
G1500 Cargo Van 2WD Axle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR*
4300 V6 3.42 4,300 lbs (1 950 kg) 9,500 lbs (4 309 kg)
5300 V83.42
3.735,900 lbs (2 676 kg) 12,000 lbs (5 443 kg)
H1500 Cargo Van AWD Axle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR*
5300 V83.42
3.736,500 lbs (2 948 kg) 12,000 lbs (5 443 kg)
G1500 Passenger
Van 2WDAxle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR*
4300 V6 3.42 3,900 lbs (1 769 kg) 9,500 lbs (4 309 kg)
5300 V83.42
3.736,300 lbs (2 858 kg) 12,000 lbs (5 443 kg)
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H1500 Passenger
Van AWDAxle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR*
5300 V83.42
3.736,100 lbs (2 767 kg) 12,000 lbs (5 443 kg)
G2500 Cargo Van
2WD Short WheelbaseAxle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR*
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)
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)
6600 V8 Diesel 3.73 10,000 lbs (4 536 kg) 17,000 lbs (7 711 kg)
G2500 Cargo Van
2WD Long WheelbaseAxle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR*
4800 V83.73
4.106,100 lbs (2 767 kg)
7,100 lbs (3 220 kg)12,000 lbs (5 443 kg)
13,000 lbs (5 897 kg)
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)
6600 V8 Diesel 3.73 10,000 lbs (4 536 kg) 17,000 lbs (7 711 kg)
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G2500 Passenger Van
2WD Short WheelbaseAxle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR*
4800 V83.73
4.105,800 lbs (2 631 kg)
6,800 lbs (3 084 kg)12,000 lbs (5 443 kg)
13,000 lbs (5 897 kg)
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)
6600 V8 Diesel 3.73 10,000 lbs (4 536 kg) 17,000 lbs (7 711 kg)
G3500 Cargo Van
2WD Short WheelbaseAxle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR*
4800 V83.73
4.106,200 lbs (2 812 kg)
7,200 lbs (3 266 kg)12,000 lbs (5 443 k3)
13,000 lbs (5 897 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)
6600 V8 Diesel 3.73 10,000 lbs (4 536 kg) 17,000 lbs (7 711 kg)
G3500 Cargo Van
2WD Long WheelbaseAxle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR*
4800 V83.73
4.106,000 lbs (2 721 kg)
7,000 lbs (3 175 kg)12,000 lbs (5 443 kg)
13,000 lbs (5 897 kg)
6000 V83.73
4.108,000 lbs (3 629 kg)
10,000 lbs (4 536 kg)14,000 lbs (6 350 kg)
16,000 lbs (7 257 kg)
6600 V8 Diesel 3.73 10,000 lbs (4 536 kg) 18,500 lbs (8 391 kg)
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G3500 Passenger Van
2WD Short WheelbaseAxle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR*
6000 V83.73
4.107,700 lbs (3 483 kg)
9,700 lbs (4 400 kg)14,000 lbs (6 350 kg)
16,000 lbs (7 257 kg)
6600 V8 Diesel 3.73 10,000 lbs (4 536 kg) 17,000 lbs (7 711 kg)
G3500 Passenger Van
2WD Long WheelbaseAxle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR*
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)
6600 V8 Diesel 3.73 10,000 lbs (4 536 kg) 17,000 lbs (7 711 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 our
Customer Assistance Offices. SeeCustomer
Assistance Offices on page 422for 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
or gross weight of your vehicle. The Gross Vehicle
Weight (GVW) includes the curb weight of the
vehicle, any cargo you may carry in it, and
the people who will be riding in the vehicle. If you
have a lot of options, equipment, passengers
or cargo in your vehicle, it will reduce the tongue
weight your vehicle can carry, which will also
reduce the trailer weight your vehicle can tow. And
if you will tow a trailer, you must add the tongue
load to the GVW because your vehicle will be
carrying that weight, too. SeeLoading Your
Vehicle on page 259about your 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.
Do not exceed the maximum allowable tongue
weight for your 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.
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After you’ve loaded your trailer, weigh the trailer
and then the tongue, separately, to see if the
weights are proper. If they aren’t, you may be able
to get them right simply 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 your 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:
You can 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 will be 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).
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