Trailering Basics - Chevrolet Equinox 2019 Manual

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TRAILERING BASICS

Towing a trailer involves all major vehicle systems of your
Chevrolet vehicle. Easy and confident 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
regional legal requirements, and following break-in and
maintenance schedules. The vehicle owner is responsible for
obtaining the proper equipment (including a 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:
TRAILER CLASSIFICATION TYPICAL EXAMPLES
Light-Duty (I) Folding camping trailer, snowmobiles and personal watercraft trailers (trailer and cargo combined)
Medium-Duty (II) Single-axle trailers up to 5.5 m (18 ft.), open utility trailers and small speedboats
Heavy-Duty (III) Dual- or single-axle trailers, larger boats 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
1 Front passenger weight not included on Tahoe, Suburban or Express. 2 Represents minimum recommended hitches. Please refer to your trailer's Owner's Manual or ask your Chevrolet dealer. 3 Not required on Silverado 2500HD or 3500HD.
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.
GCWR The Gross Combination Weight Rating is the total
allowable weight of the completely loaded vehicle and trailer.
TRAILER WEIGHT RATING This rating is determined by
subtracting the tow vehicle's base weight (curb weight) from
the Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR). Base vehicle
(curb) weight plus 150 lb. (68 kg) each for the driver and a
front passenger is used, so additional passengers, optional
1
equipment and cargo weight reduce this rating.
TYPICAL GROSS TRAILER WEIGHT EXAMPLES
Up to 2000 lb. (907 kg) gross trailer weight
2001–3500 lb. (908–1588 kg) gross trailer weight
3501–5000 lb. (1588–2268 kg) gross trailer weight
5001–10,000 lb. (2268–4536 kg) gross trailer weight
10,000 lb. (4536 kg) and above gross trailer weight
AXLE RATIO In general, a higher numerical axle ratio offers
higher trailer weight ratings, quicker acceleration and less
fuel efficiency. A lower numerical axle ratio offers better fuel
efficiency and quieter vehicle operation but will have slower
acceleration and lower trailer weight ratings.
NOTE The safety 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, consulted the Owner's Manual, local road
authorities and dealer.
TYPICAL HITCH TYPE
2
Weight-carrying hitch
Weight-carrying hitch
Weight-carrying hitch or weight-distributing hitch
3
Weight-carrying hitch, weight-distributing hitch,
3
gooseneck hitch
Weight-carrying hitch, 3 weight-distributing hitch,
gooseneck hitch
fifth-wheel hitch or
2
2 fifth-wheel hitch or