FIG. 2024.1 Trailering Guide Guide rating notes
Note 1 Maximum trailering ratings are intended for comparison purposes only. Before you buy a vehicle or use it for trailering, carefully review the Trailering section of the Owner's Manual. The trailering capacity of your specific vehicle may vary. The weight of passengers, cargo and options or accessories may reduce the amount you can trailer.
Note 2 Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR). When properly equipped; includes weight of the vehicle and trailer combination, including the weight of driver, passengers, fuel, optional equipment and cargo in the vehicle and trailer.
2024 Chevrolet Trailering Guide, p.25 FIG. 2024.2 Trailering Guide Trailer brake requirements
Trailer Brakes These are required above a 2,000-lb. trailer weight on Silverado, Suburban and Tahoe, and above a 1,500-lb. trailer weight on all other models. (Brake requirements vary by state; consult state laws for actual requirements.) The most common trailer braking systems are surge brakes (found primarily on boat trailers) and electric brakes (often used on travel trailers, horse trailers and car haulers). Surge brakes are a self-contained hydraulic brake system on the trailer, activated during deceleration as the trailer coupler pushes on the hitch ball. An electric trailer brake system uses a brake control unit mounted inside the trailering vehicle; it operates by sensing the vehicle brakes and then applying the trailer brakes.
2024 Chevrolet Trailering Guide, p.6 FIG. 2024.3 Trailering Guide Maximum-rating scope
Maximum Trailer Weight Ratings and Gross Combination Weight Ratings Engineers perform extensive testing of acceleration, handling, braking, and thermal and structural performance to determine the Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) and the maximum trailer weight rating for your vehicle. The GCWR is the total allowable weight of the completely loaded vehicle and trailer including any passengers, cargo, equipment and conversions. You should not exceed the GCWR of your vehicle when you tow a trailer. Chevrolet also calculates and publishes a maximum trailer weight rating for most models or series of Chevrolet vehicles for comparison purposes. The maximum trailer weight rating is not specific to an individual vehicle and is most useful for comparing product lines to one another to help you select a product that will meet your needs. When you buy a vehicle, you should ensure that the total load (including passengers, cargo and equipment) you intend to pull with it will be less than the maximum trailer weight rating of the vehicle. Because the maximum trailer weight rating is calculated for a line of vehicles, rather than an individual load situation, some standardized assumptions are made when calculating the maximum trailer weight rating: that the tow vehicle has a driver, a front-seat passenger, and all required trailering equipment. This value represents the heaviest trailer the vehicle can tow, but it may be necessary to reduce the trailer weight to stay within the GCWR, GVWR, maximum trailer tongue load, or RGAWR for the vehicle.
2024 Chevrolet Trailering Guide, p.8 FIG. 2024.4 Trailering Guide Weight-rating checks
How to Keep Your Load Within the Capabilities of Your Vehicle It is important that the combination of the tow vehicle and trailer does not exceed any of its weight ratings — GCWR, GVWR, RGAWR or trailer weight rating. The only way to be sure to not exceed any of these ratings is to weigh the tow vehicle and trailer combination, fully loaded for the trip, getting individual weights for each of these items. You can then subtract the weight of your vehicle from the GCWR. The difference between the two is the capacity you have available for your cargo, passengers, trailer, load and any other equipment you might use to set up your trailer. Put another way, your GCWR should always be greater than or equal to the weight of your vehicle, passengers, cargo, trailer (with equipment) and load.
2024 Chevrolet Trailering Guide, p.8 FIG. 2024.5 Trailering Guide Trailer load distribution
The tongue weight for your trailer is the downward force of the coupler of the trailer on the vehicle hitch. You can calculate the tongue weight by placing the tongue of the trailer on an appropriate scale. For conventional trailering, the tongue weight should be 10% to 15% of the loaded trailer weight. For gooseneck/fifth-wheel trailering, the tongue weight should be 15% to 25% of the loaded trailer weight. When towing the maximum trailer weight the maximum tongue weight is 10% for conventional trailers and 15% for gooseneck/fifth-wheel trailers.
2024 Chevrolet Trailering Guide, p.8 FIG. 2024.6 Trailering Guide GVWR guidance
The GVWR is the maximum amount the vehicle itself should weigh, including the as-equipped weight of the vehicle plus the cargo, passengers and trailer tongue weight. Put another way, the GVWR should always be greater than or equal to the weight of your vehicle, passengers, cargo and tongue weight.
2024 Chevrolet Trailering Guide, p.8 FIG. 2024.7 Trailering Guide GCWR and combined weight
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 EV, Silverado HD, Suburban and Tahoe. Make certain you are aware of your Gross Combination Weight (GCW) and any state and federal operating requirements. 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.
2024 Chevrolet Trailering Guide, p.7 FIG. 2024.8 Trailering Guide Safety chains
Safety Chains Always attach safety chains between your vehicle and your trailer and cross them under the tongue of the trailer so that the tongue will be less likely to drop if the trailer should separate from the hitch. Leave enough slack in the chains so you can corner without the chains impeding the movement of the trailer. Do not allow safety chains to drag on the ground.
2024 Chevrolet Trailering Guide, p.9 FIG. 2024.9 Trailering Guide Conventional trailer loading
Loading Your Trailer Load your conventional trailer to attain a 10% to 15% tongue weight. Some specific trailer types (especially boat trailers) fall outside of this range. In these cases, the recommended tongue weight listed in the trailer Owner's Manual should be observed. A good rule of thumb is to distribute 60% of the load over the front half of the trailer and evenly from side to side. Loads sitting either too far forward or too far back in the trailer can create unstable trailering conditions — such as trailer sway — at highway speeds and during heavy braking. Once the trailer has been loaded and the weight is distributed properly, all cargo should be secured to prevent the load from shifting.
2024 Chevrolet Trailering Guide, p.9 FIG. 2024.10 Trailering Guide Trailering Information Label
Trailering Information Label This label is located on the driver-side door jamb and provides information that's specific to your vehicle and vital to towing, including GVWR, GCWR, GAWR for the rear axle, maximum payload, maximum tongue weight and curb weight. Included on Silverado 1500, Silverado EV, Silverado HD, Suburban and Tahoe.
2024 Chevrolet Trailering Guide, p.13 