weight GMC SIERRA CLASSIC 2007 Owner's Manual

For example, adding a 700 lb (318 kg) snow plow
actually adds more than 700 lbs (318 kg) to the
front axle. Using the formula, if the snow plow
is 4 ft (122 cm) in front of the front axle and the
wheel base is 10 ft (305 cm), then:
W = 700 lb (318 kg)
A = 4 ft (122 cm)
W.B. = 10 ft (305 cm)
(W x (A + W.B.))/W.B. = (700 x (4 + 10))/10 =
980 lbs (445 kg)
So, if your truck’s front axle reserve capacity is
more than 980 lbs (445 kg), you could add
the snow plow without exceeding the front GAWR.
Q:What if I want to add heavier equipment
to my vehicle?
A:You can add heavier equipment on the front
of the vehicle if you compensate for it by
carrying fewer passengers, less cargo, or by
positioning cargo towards the rear. This
has the effect of reducing the load on the front.
However, the front GAWR, rear GAWR, and
the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)
must never be exceeded.
{CAUTION:
On some vehicles that have certain front
mounted equipment, such as a snow
plow, it may be possible to load the front
axle to the front gross axle weight rating
(GAWR) but not have enough weight on
the rear axle to have proper braking
performance. If your brakes can not work
properly, you could have a crash. To help
your brakes work properly when a snow
plow is installed, always follow the snow
plow manufacturer or installer’s
recommendation for rear ballast to ensure
a proper front and rear weight distribution
ratio, even though the actual front weight
may be less than the front GAWR, and the
total vehicle weight is less than the gross
vehicle weight rating (GVWR). Maintaining
a proper front and rear weight distribution
ratio is necessary to provide proper
braking performance.
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Q:What is total vehicle reserve capacity?
A:This is the difference between your GVWR and
the weight of your truck with full fuel and
passengers. It is the amount of weight you can
add to your vehicle before reaching your
GVWR. Keep in mind that reserve capacity
numbers are intended as a guide when
selecting the amount of equipment or cargo
your truck can carry. If you are unsure of your
vehicle’s front, rear, or total weight, go to a
weigh station and weigh your vehicle.
Your dealer can also help you with this.
The total vehicle reserve capacity for your
vehicle can be found in the lower right corner
of the Certication/Tire label as shown
previously.
See your dealer for additional advice and
information about using a snow plow on your
vehicle. Also, seeLoading Your Vehicle on
page 409.
Emergency Roof Lamp Provisions
Vehicles with the RPO VYU snow plow prep
package also have an emergency roof lamp
provision package, RPO TRW. Wiring for the
emergency roof lamp is provided in the B-pillar as
shown. SeeAuxiliary Roof Mounted Lamp on
page 226for switch location.
A. Body Side Inner Panel
B. Emergency Roof Lamp Harness
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Truck-Camper Loading Information
A vehicle specic Truck-Camper Loading
information label is attached to the inside of your
vehicle’s glove box. This label will tell you if
your vehicle can carry a slide-in camper, how
much of a load your vehicle can carry, and how to
correctly spread out the load. Also, it will help
you match the right slide-in camper to your vehicle.
When you carry a slide-in camper, the total
cargo load of your vehicle is the weight of the
camper, plus the following:
Everything else added to the camper after it
left the factory
Everything in the camper
All the people inside
The Cargo Weight Rating (CWR) is the maximum
weight of the load your vehicle can carry.
It does not include the weight of the people inside.
But, you can gure about 150 lbs (68 kg) for
each seat.The total cargo load must not be more than your
vehicle’s CWR.
Refer to the Truck-Camper Loading Information
label in the glove box for dimensions A and B
as shown in the following illustration.
Use the rear edge of the load oor for measurement
purposes. The recommended location for the cargo
center of gravity is at point C for the CWR. It is the
point where the mass of a body is concentrated
and, if suspended at that point, would balance the
front and rear.
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Here is an example of proper truck and camper
match:
A. Camper Center of Gravity
B. Recommended Center of Gravity Location Zone
When the truck is used to carry a slide-in camper,
the total cargo load of the truck consists of the
manufacturer’s camper weight gure, the weight of
installed additional camper equipment not
included in the manufacturer’s camper weight
gure, the weight of camper cargo, and the weight
of passengers in the camper. The total cargo
load should not exceed the truck’s cargo weight
rating and the camper’s center of gravity (A)
should fall within the truck’s recommended center
of gravity zone (B) when installed.You must weigh any accessories or other
equipment that you add to your vehicle. Then,
subtract this extra weight from the CWR. This extra
weight may shorten the center of gravity zone of
your vehicle. Your dealer can help you with this.
If your slide-in camper and its load weighs
less than the CWR, the center of gravity zone for
your vehicle may be larger.
Your dealer can help you make a good
vehicle-camper match and help you determine
the CWR.
After you have loaded your vehicle and camper,
drive to a weigh station and weigh the front and
rear wheels separately. This will tell you the loads
on the axles. The loads on the front and rear axles
should not be more than either of the Gross Axle
Weight Ratings (GAWR). The total of the axle loads
should not be more than the Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating (GVWR).
Open the driver’s door and look at the
Certication/Tire label to nd out your vehicle’s
GAWRs and GVWR.
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If your vehicle has gone over the weight ratings,
move or take out some things until all the
weight falls below the ratings.
Secure loose items to prevent weight shifts that
could affect the balance of your vehicle. When the
truck-camper is loaded, drive to a scale and
weigh the front and the rear wheels separately to
determine axle loads. Individual axle loads
should not exceed either of the GAWRs. The total
of the front and rear axle loads should not
exceed your vehicle’s GVWR. These ratings are
given on the vehicle certication label attached
to the rear edge of the driver’s door. See
“Certication/Tire Label” underLoading Your
Vehicle on page 409. If weight ratings are
exceeded, move or remove items to bring all
weights below the ratings.
When you install and load your slide-in camper,
check the manufacturer’s instructions.
If you want more information on curb weights,
cargo weights, Cargo Weight Rating and the
correct center of gravity zone for your vehicle,
your dealer can help you. Just ask for a copy of
“Consumer Information, Truck-Camper Loading.”Pickup Conversion to Chassis Cab
General Motors is aware that some vehicle owners
may consider having the pickup box removed
and a commercial or recreational body installed.
Owners should be aware that, as manufactured,
there are differences between a chassis cab and a
pickup with the box removed which may affect
vehicle safety. The components necessary
to adapt a pickup to permit its safe use with a
specialized body should be installed by the
body builder.
Towing
Towing Your Vehicle
Consult your dealer or a professional towing
service if you need to have your disabled vehicle
towed. SeeRoadside Assistance Program on
page 644.
If you want to tow your vehicle behind another
vehicle for recreational purposes (such as behind
a motorhome), see “Recreational Vehicle
Towing” following.
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Towing a Trailer
Do not tow a trailer during break-in. SeeNew
Vehicle Break-In on page 134for more information.
{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 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.
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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.
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 264.
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. SeeTow/Haul Mode
on page 147for more information.
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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.
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. 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.
Above the 5,000 lbs (2 268 kg) trailer rating,
the handling/trailering suspension is required on
two-wheel drive 1500 series models and the
handling/trailering or off-road suspension is
required on four-wheel drive 1500 series models.
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Use one of the following charts to determine how much your vehicle can weigh, based upon your vehicle
model and options.
C-1500 Regular Cab
Standard Box (2WD)*Axle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR
4300 V6 (Auto) 3.23 5,000 lbs (2 268 kg) 9,500 lbs (4 309 kg)
4300 V6 (Manual) 3.23 4,000 lbs (1 814 kg) 8,500 lbs (3 855 kg)
4800 V83.23
3.736,400 lbs (2 903 kg)
7,400 lbs (3 357 kg)11,000 lbs (4 994 kg)
12,000 lbs (5 443 kg)
5300 V83.23
3.737,400 lbs (3 357 kg)
8,400 lbs (3 810 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.
C-1500 Extended Cab
Standard Box (2WD)*Axle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR
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 V83.23
3.735,900 lbs (2 676 kg)
6,900 lbs (3 130 kg)11,000 lbs (4 990 kg)
12,000 lbs (5 443 kg)
5300 V83.23
3.736,900 lbs (3 130 kg)
7,900 lbs (3 583 kg)12,000 lbs (5 443 kg)
13,000 lbs (5 897 kg)
6000 V8 3.73 10,400 lbs (4 717 kg) 15,500 lbs (7 031 kg)
*Fifth-wheel or gooseneck kingpin weight 15 percent to 25 percent of trailer weight up to 1,500 lbs (680 kg)
maximum.
*Fifth-wheel or gooseneck trailer rating limited to 6,800 lbs (3 084 kg) except with 6000 V8 engine limited to
6,900 lbs (3 130 kg).
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C-1500 HD Crew Cab
Standard Box (2WD)*Axle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR
6000 V83.73
4.108,300 lbs (3 765 kg)
10,300 lbs (4 672 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.
C-1500 Extended Cab
Short Box (2WD)*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 (5 448 kg)
13,000 lbs (5 902 kg)
*This model is neither designed nor intended to tow fth-wheel or gooseneck trailers.
C-1500 Crew Cab Short
Box (2WD)*Axle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR
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)
6000 V8 3.73 10,100 lbs (4 581 kg) 15,500 lbs (7 031 kg)
*This model is neither designed nor intended to tow fth-wheel or gooseneck trailers.
C-1500 Regular Cab
Long Box (2WD)*Axle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR
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)
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