If You Do Decide To Pull A Trailer - GMC 2004 Sierra 1500 Pickup Owner's Manual

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 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.
•
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. See Tow/Haul Mode Light on page 3-53 .
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
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