Chevrolet Silverado 2021 Series Trailering Manual page 7

TRAILERING BASICS – CLASSIFICATIONS AND OVERVIEW
TRAILER
CLASSIFICATION TYPICAL EXAMPLES
Folding camping trailer, snowmobile trailers and personal watercraft trailers
Light-Duty (I) (trailer and cargo combined)
Medium-Duty (II) Single-axle trailers up to 18 ft., open utility trailers and small speedboat trailers
Heavy-Duty (III) Dual- or single-axle trailers, larger boat trailers and enclosed utility trailers
Extra Heavy-Duty (IV) Two-horse, travel and fifth-wheel recreational trailers
Maximum Heavy-Duty (V) Largest horse, travel and fifth-wheel recreational or commercial trailers
Towing a trailer involves all major vehicle systems of your Chevrolet. Easy and safe
trailering requires a properly equipped vehicle, additional trailering equipment and
an appropriate trailer. It also requires loading both the vehicle and trailer properly,
using safe driving techniques, meeting state and federal legal requirements, and
following break-in and maintenance schedules. The vehicle owner is responsible
for obtaining the proper equipment (hitch ball, hitch type of the proper size and
capacity) required to safely tow both the trailer and the load that will be towed.
For more information, consult your Owner's Manual or speak to a trailering expert
at your Chevrolet dealer. These charts will assist in determining how to best equip
your Chevrolet vehicle for trailering. To help you understand the charts, consider
these trailering factors:
RGAWR and GVWR Addition of trailer hitch weight cannot cause vehicle weights to
exceed Rear Gross Axle Weight Rating (RGAWR) or Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
(GVWR). These ratings can be found on the certification label located on the driver
door or doorframe (no labels on Silverado 4500 HD/5500 HD/6500 HD). Make certain
you are aware of your Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) and any state and federal
operating requirements. GVW includes weight of the vehicle, including the weight
of driver, passengers, fuel, optional equipment and cargo in the vehicle.
GCWR The Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) is the total allowable
weight of the completely loaded vehicle and trailer. This rating can be found on
the Trailering Information Label located on the doorframe for Silverado 1500,
Silverado HD, Suburban and Tahoe. Make certain you are aware of your Gross
Combination Weight (GCW) and any state and federal operating requirements.
1 Represents minimum recommended hitch(es). Please refer to your trailer's Owner's Manual or ask your Chevrolet dealer.
TYPICAL GROSS TRAILER
WEIGHT EXAMPLES
Up to 2,000 lbs. gross trailer weight
2,001–3,500 lbs. gross trailer weight
3,501–5,000 lbs. gross trailer weight
5,001–10,000 lbs. gross trailer weight
10,001 lbs. and above gross trailer weight
GCW includes weight of the vehicle and trailer combination, including the weight of
driver, passengers, fuel, optional equipment and cargo in the vehicle and trailer.
Maximum Trailer Weight Rating This rating is determined by subtracting the tow
vehicle's weight (curb weight) from the Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR).
Base vehicle (curb) weight plus 150 lbs. each for the driver and a front passenger
is used, so additional passengers, equipment and cargo weight reduce this rating.
This rating can be found on the Trailering Information Label located on the
doorframe for Silverado 1500, Silverado HD, Suburban and Tahoe.
Axle Ratio In general, a higher axle ratio offers higher trailer weight ratings, quicker
acceleration and less fuel efficiency. A lower axle ratio offers more fuel efficiency
and quieter vehicle operation but will have slower acceleration and lower trailer
weight ratings.
Note The steps described here are by no means the only precautions to be taken
when trailering. See the Owner's Manual for your Chevrolet vehicle for additional
guidelines and trailering tips.
Trailering Caution If you don't use the correct equipment and drive properly, you
can lose control of your vehicle when you pull a trailer. If the trailer is too heavy, your
vehicle brakes may be less effective. You and your passengers could be seriously
injured. Pull a trailer only after you have read the information in this guide and
followed the steps on the following pages. See the Owner's Manual for your Chevrolet
vehicle for additional guidelines and trailering tips.
TYPICAL HITCH TYPE
1
Conventional hitch
Conventional hitch
Conventional hitch or weight-distributing hitch
Conventional hitch, weight-distributing hitch,
fifth-wheel hitch or gooseneck hitch
Conventional hitch, weight-distributing hitch,
fifth-wheel hitch or gooseneck hitch
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