Trailer Towing

If the vehicle has a diesel engine, see the Duramax diesel supplement for more information.

If the vehicle is a hybrid, see the hybrid supplement for more information.

Do not tow a trailer during break-in.

See New Vehicle Break-In on page 9‑26 for more information.

WARNING
The driver can lose control when pulling a trailer if the correct equipment is not used or the vehicle is not driven properly. For example, if the trailer is too heavy, the brakes may not work well or even at all. The driver and passengers could be seriously injured. The vehicle may also be damaged; the resulting repairs would not be covered by the vehicle warranty. Pull a trailer only if all the steps in this section have been followed. Ask your dealer for advice and information about towing a trailer with the vehicle.

Notice: Pulling a trailer improperly can damage the vehicle and result in costly repairs not covered by the vehicle warranty. To pull a trailer correctly, follow the advice in this section and see your dealer for important information about towing a trailer with the vehicle.

To identify the trailering capacity of the vehicle, read the information in “Weight of the Trailer” later in this section.

Trailering is different than just driving the vehicle by itself.

Trailering means changes in handling, acceleration, braking, durability, and fuel economy.

Successful, safe trailering takes correct equipment, and it has to be used properly.

The following information has 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 pulling a trailer.

See also:

Driving on Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gear before starting down a long or steep downgrade. If the transmission is not shifted down, the brakes might have to be used so much that they would get hot and ...

Ignition Transmission Lock Check
While parked, and with the parking brake set, try to turn the ignition to LOCK/OFF in each shift lever position. • The ignition should turn to LOCK/OFF only when the shift lever is in P (Park). ...

How to Add Coolant to the Coolant Surge Tank for Gasoline Engines
If the vehicle has a diesel engine, see “Cooling System” in the Duramax Diesel Supplement for the proper coolant fill procedure. WARNING You can be burned if you spill coolant on hot engine part ...