If You Do Decide To Pull A Trailer; Weight Of The Trailer - Chevrolet 2002 S10 Pickup Owner's Manual

If You Do Decide To Pull A Trailer

If you do, here are some important points:
D
If you have the 2200 L4 (Code 5) engine, use regular
gasoline (without ethanol) when pulling a trailer. See
"Fuel" in the Index.
D
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.
D
Consider using a sway control if your trailer will
weigh 3,500 lbs. (1 589 kg). You should always use
a sway control if your trailer will weigh more than
3,500 lbs. (1 589 kg). You can ask a hitch dealer
about sway controls.
D
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.
D
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.
4-52
D
If you have an automatic transmission, 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 (e.g., 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.
Three important considerations have to do with weight:
D
the weight of the trailer,
D
the weight of the trailer tongue
D
and the weight on your vehicle's tires.

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.