GMC SIERRA 2005 Owner's Manual

{CAUTION:
Shifting a four-wheel-drive vehicle’s transfer
case into NEUTRAL can cause your vehicle to
roll even if the transmission is in Park (P) for
an automatic transmission, or if your vehicle is
in gear, for a manual transmission. You or
others could be injured. Make sure the parking
brake is rmly set before you shift the transfer
case to NEUTRAL.
5. Shift the transfer case to NEUTRAL. See
Four-Wheel Drive on page 2-37.
6. Release the parking brake only after the vehicle
being towed is rmly attached to the tow vehicle.
7. Turn the ignition to LOCK.
Trailer Recommendations
You must subtract your hitch loads from the CWR for
your vehicle. Weigh your vehicle with the trailer
attached, so that you won’t go over the GVWR or
GAWR. If you are using a weight-distributing hitch,
weigh the vehicle without the spring bars in place.
You’ll get the best performance if you spread out the
weight of your load the right way, and if you choose the
correct hitch and trailer brakes.
For more information, seeTowing a Trailer on
page 4-68.
4-67

Towing a Trailer
Do not tow a trailer during break-in. SeeNew Vehicle
Break-In on page 2-21.
{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 not covered
by your warranty. To pull a trailer correctly, follow
the advice in this part, and see your dealer for
important information about towing a trailer with
your vehicle.
To identify the vehicle trailering capacity of your vehicle,
you should read the information in “Weight of the
Trailer” that appears later in this section.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 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 rst 500 miles
(800 km) your new vehicle is driven. Your engine,
axle or other parts could be damaged.
4-68

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.
If you have an automatic transmission, you can tow
in DRIVE (D). You may want to shift the
transmission to THIRD (3) or, if necessary, a lower
gear selection if the transmission shifts too often,
such as under heavy loads and/or hilly conditions.
If you have a manual transmission and you are
towing a trailer, it’s better not to use the highest
gear. SeeTow/Haul Mode Light on page 3-49.
Three important considerations have to do with weight:
The weight of the trailer
The weight of the trailer tongue
The weight on your vehicle’s tires
Tow/Haul Mode
Tow/Haul is a feature on automatic transmission
equipped vehicles that assists when pulling a heavy
trailer or a large or heavy load. Tow/Haul mode adjusts
the transmission’s shift pattern to reduce shift cycling
(rapid up and downshifts/gear hunting), providing
increased performance, vehicle control, and transmission
cooling when towing or hauling heavy loads.Automatic transmission equipped vehicles are provided
with a button at the end of the shift lever which when
pressed enables Tow/Haul. When the button is pressed,
a light on the instrument panel will illuminate to
indicate that Tow/Haul has been selected. Tow/Haul
may be turned off by pressing the button again, at which
time the indicator light on the instrument panel will
turn off. The vehicle will automatically turn off Tow/Haul
every time it is started.
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” later in the section. 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.
4-69

Operating the vehicle in Tow/Haul when lightly loaded
or with no trailer at all will not cause damage. However,
there is no benet 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.
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.Use one of the following charts to determine how much
your vehicle can weigh, based upon your vehicle
model and options.
Maximum trailer weight is calculated assuming the
driver and one passenger are 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.
Above the 5,000 lb (2 268 kg) trailer rating, the
handling/trailering suspension is required on
C-1500 models and the handling/trailering or off-road
suspension is required on K-1500 models.
4-70

Vehicle* Axle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR
C-1500 Regular Cab Short Box (2WD)*
4300 V6 (Auto) 3.23 4,900 lbs (2 223 kg) 9,500 lbs (4 309 kg)
4300 V6 (Manual) 3.23 3,800 lbs (1 724 kg) 8,500 lbs (3 855 kg)
4800 V8 (Auto)3.23
3.736,300 lbs (2 858 kg)
7,300 lbs (3 311 kg)11,000 lbs (4 994 kg)
12,000 lbs (5 443 kg)
4800 V8 (Manual)3.23
3.734,300 lbs (1 950 kg)
5,300 lbs (2 404 kg)9,000 lbs (4 082 kg)
10,000 lbs (4 535 kg)
5300 V83.23
3.737,300 lbs (3 311 kg)
8,300 lbs (3 765 kg)12,000 lbs (5 443 kg)
13,000 lbs (5 897 kg)
*Fifth-wheel or gooseneck kingpin weight 15 percent to 25 percent of trailer weight up
to 1,500 lbs (680 kg) maximum.
Vehicle* Axle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR
C-1500 Extended Cab Short Box (2WD)*
4300 V6 (Auto)3.23
3.734,600 lbs (2 087 kg)
5,100 lbs (2 313 kg)9,500 lbs (4 309 kg)
10,000 lbs (4 536 kg)
4300 V6 (Manual) 3.23 3,600 lbs (1 633 kg) 8,500 lbs (3 859 kg)
4800 V8 (Auto)3.23
3.736,000 lbs (2 722 kg)
7,000 lbs (3 175 kg)11,000 lbs (4 990 kg)
12,000 lbs (5 443 kg)
4800 V8 (Manual)3.23
3.734,000 lbs (1 814 kg)
5,000 lbs (2 268 kg)9,000 lbs (4 086 kg)
10,000 lbs (4 540 kg)
4-71

Vehicle* Axle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR
5300 V83.23
3.737,000 lbs (3 175 kg)
8,000 lbs (3 629 kg)**12,000 lbs (5 443 kg)
13,000 lbs (5 897 kg)
5300 V8 w/4WS3.73
4.107,600 lbs (3 447 kg)***
8,600 lbs (3 901 kg)***13,000 lbs (5 897 kg)
14,000 lbs (6 350 kg)
*Fifth-wheel or gooseneck kingpin weight 15 percent to 25 percent of trailer weight up
to 1,500 lbs (680 kg) maximum.
**Maximum 8,000 lbs (3 628 kg) for fth-wheel or gooseneck.
***Maximum 7,500 lbs (3 401 kg) for fth-wheel or gooseneck.
Vehicle* Axle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR
C-1500 HD (2WD)*
6000 V83.73
4.108,200 lbs (3 719 kg)
10,200 lbs (4 627 kg)14,000 lbs (6 350 kg)
16,000 lbs (7 257 kg)
6000 V8 w/4WS3.73
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
*Fifth-wheel or gooseneck kingpin weight 15 percent to 25 percent of trailer weight up
to 2,500 lbs (1 133 kg) maximum.
Vehicle** Axle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR
C-1500 Crew Cab (2WD)*
5300 V83.23
3.736,700 lbs (3 039 kg)
7,700 lbs (3 493 kg)12,000 lbs (5 443 kg)
13,000 lbs (5 897 kg)
**Fifth-wheel or gooseneck trailering is neither designed nor intended for this vehicle.
4-72

Vehicle* Axle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR
C-1500 Regular Cab Long Box (2WD)*
4300 V6 (Auto) 3.23 4,800 lbs (2 177 kg) 9,500 lbs (4 313 kg)
4300 V6 (Manual) 3.23 3,800 lbs (1 724 kg) 8,500 lbs (3 859 kg)
4800 V8 (Auto)3.23
3.736,200 lbs (2 812 kg)
7,200 lbs (3 266 kg)11,000 lbs (4 994 kg)
12,000 lbs (5 448 kg)
4800 V8 (Manual)3.23
3.734,200 lbs (1 905 kg)
5,200 lbs (2 359 kg)9,000 lbs (4 086 kg)
10,000 lbs (4 540 kg)
5300 V83.23
3.737,200 lbs (3 266 kg)
8,200 lbs (3 719 kg)12,000 lbs (5 448 kg)
13,000 lbs (5 902 kg)
*Fifth-wheel or gooseneck kingpin weight 15 percent to 25 percent of trailer weight up
to 1,500 lbs (680 kg) maximum.
Vehicle* Axle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR
C-1500 Extended Cab Long Box (2WD)*
4800 V8 (Auto)3.23
3.735,800 lbs (2 631 kg)
6,800 lbs (3 084 kg)11,000 lbs (4 994 kg)
12,000 lbs (5 448 kg)
4800 V8 (Manual)3.23
3.733,800 lbs (1 724 kg)
4,800 lbs (2 177 kg)9,000 lbs (4 086 kg)
10,000 lbs (4 540 kg)
5300 V83.23
3.736,800 lbs (3 084 kg)
7,800 lbs (3 538 kg)12,000 lbs (5 448 kg)
13,000 lbs (5 902 kg)
*Fifth-wheel or gooseneck kingpin weight 15 percent to 25 percent of trailer weight up
to 1,500 lbs (680 kg) maximum.
4-73

Vehicle* Axle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR
K-1500 Regular Cab Short Box (4WD)
4300 V6 (Auto) 3.73 5,100 lbs (2 313 kg) 10,000 lbs (4 540 kg)
4300 V6 (Manual) 3.73 4,100 lbs (1 860 kg) 9,000 lbs (4 086 kg)
4800 V8 (Auto)3.42
4.107,000 lbs (3 175 kg)
8,000 lbs (3 629 kg)12,000 lbs (5 448 kg)
13,000 lbs (5 902 kg)
4800 V8 (Manual)3.42
4.105,000 lbs (2 268 kg)
6,000 lbs (2 722 kg)10,000 lbs (4 540 kg)
11,000 lbs (4 994 kg)
5300 V83.42
4.108,000 lbs (3 629 kg)
9,000 lbs (4 082 kg)13,000 lbs (5 902 kg)
14,000 lbs (6 356 kg)
*Fifth-wheel or gooseneck kingpin weight 15 percent to 25 percent of trailer weight up
to 1,500 lbs (680 kg) maximum.
Vehicle* Axle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR
K-1500 Extended Cab Short Box (4WD)*
4800 V8 (Auto)3.42
4.106,700 lbs (3 039 kg)
7,700 lbs (3 493 kg)**12,000 lbs (5 443 kg)
13,000 lbs (5 897 kg)
4800 V8 (Manual)3.42
4.104,700 lbs (2 132 kg)
5,700 lbs (2 585 kg)10,000 lbs (4 535 kg)
11,000 lbs (4 990 kg)
5300 V83.42
4.107,700 lbs (3 493 kg)**
8,700 lbs (3 946 kg)**13,000 lbs (5 897 kg)
14,000 lbs (6 350 kg)
5300 V8 w/4WS3.42
4.107,300 lbs (3 311 kg)
8,300 lbs (3 765 kg)13,000 lbs (5 897 kg)
14,000 lbs (6 350 kg)
**Maximum weight 7,700 lbs (3 492 kg) for fth-wheel or gooseneck.
4-74

Vehicle* Axle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR
K-1500 HD (4WD)*
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)
6000 V8 w/4WS3.73
4.107,600 lbs (3 447 kg)
9,600 lbs (4 354 kg)14,000 lbs (6 356 kg)
16,000 lbs (7 264 kg)
*Fifth-wheel or gooseneck kingpin weight 15 percent to 25 percent of trailer weight up
to 2,500 lbs (1 133 kg) maximum.
Vehicle** Axle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR
K-1500 Crew Cab (4WD)*
5300 V83.42
4.107,400 lbs (3 357 kg)
8,400 lbs (3 810 kg)13,000 lbs (5 897 kg)
14,000 lbs (6 350 kg)
**Fifth-wheel or gooseneck trailering is neither designed nor intended for this vehicle.
Vehicle* Axle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR
K-1500 Regular Cab Long Box (4WD)*
4300 V6 (Auto) 3.73 5,000 lbs (2 268 kg) 10,000 lbs (4 536 kg)
4300 V6 (Manual) 3.73 4,000 lbs (1 814 kg) 9,000 lbs (4 082 kg)
4800 V8 (Auto)3.42
4.106,900 lbs (3 130 kg)
7,900 lbs (3 583 kg)12,000 lbs (5 443 kg)
13,000 lbs (5 897 kg)
4-75

Vehicle* Axle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR
4800 V8 (Manual)3.73
4.104,900 lbs (2 223 kg)
5,900 lbs (2 676 kg)10,000 lbs (4 536 kg)
11,000 lbs (4 990 kg)
5300 V83.73
4.107,900 lbs (3 583 kg)
8,900 lbs (4 037 kg)**13,000 lbs (5 897 kg)
14,000 lbs (6 350 kg)
*Fifth-wheel or gooseneck kingpin weight 15 percent to 25 percent of trailer weight up
to 1,500 lbs (680 kg) maximum.
**Maximum weight 8,900 lbs (4 036 kg) for fth-wheel and gooseneck.
Vehicle* Axle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR
K-1500 Extended Cab Long Box (4WD)*
4800 V83.42
4.106,600 lbs (2 993 kg)
7,600 lbs (3 447 kg)**12,000 lbs (5 443 kg)
13,000 lbs (5 897 kg)
4800 V8 (Manual)3.42
4.104,600 lbs (2 087 kg)
5,600 lbs (2 540 kg)10,000 lbs (4 536 kg)
11,000 lbs (4 990 kg)
5300 V83.42
4.107,600 lbs (3 447 kg)**
8,600 lbs (3 900 kg)**13,000 lbs (5 897 kg)
14,000 lbs (6 350 kg)
*Fifth-wheel or gooseneck kingpin weight should be 15 percent to 25 percent of trailer weight
up to 1,500 lbs (680 kg) maximum.
**Maximum weight 6,800 lbs (3 084 kg) for fth-wheel and gooseneck.
4-76