Towing equipment, Towing equipment -54, 54 driving and operating – GMC 2011 Acadia User Manual

Page 326

Advertising
background image

Black plate (54,1)

GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual - 2011

9-54

Driving and Operating

If a weight-carrying hitch or a
weight-distributing hitch is being
used, the trailer tongue (A) should
weigh 10‐15 percent of the total
loaded trailer weight (B).

After loading the trailer, weigh
the trailer and then the tongue,
separately, to see if the weights are
proper. If they are not, adjustments
might be made by moving some
items around in the trailer.

Trailering may be limited by the
vehicle's ability to carry tongue
weight. Tongue weight cannot
cause the vehicle to exceed the

GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating) or the RGAWR (Rear Gross
Axle Weight Rating). The effect of
additional weight may reduce the
trailering capacity more than the
total of the additional weight.

It is important that the vehicle
does not exceed any of its
ratings — GCWR, GVWR, RGAWR,
Maximum Trailer Rating or Tongue
Weight. The only way to be sure it is
not exceeding any of these ratings
is to weigh the vehicle and trailer.

Total Weight on the Vehicle's
Tires

Inflate the vehicle's tires to the
upper limit for cold tires. These
numbers can be found on the
Certification label or see Vehicle
Load Limits on page 9‑12
for more
information. Do not go over the
GVW limit for the vehicle, or the
GAWR, including the weight of the
trailer tongue. If using a weight
distributing hitch, do not go over the
rear axle limit before applying the
weight distribution spring bars.

Towing Equipment

Hitches

It is important to have the correct
hitch equipment. Crosswinds, large
trucks going by and rough roads are
a few reasons why the right hitch is
needed.

.

The rear bumper on the vehicle
is not intended for hitches.
Do not attach rental hitches
or other bumper-type hitches
to it. Use only a frame-mounted
hitch that does not attach to the
bumper.

.

Will any holes be made in the
body of the vehicle when the
trailer hitch is installed? If there
are, then be sure to seal the
holes when the hitch is removed.
If the holes are not sealed,
dirt, water, and deadly carbon
monoxide (CO) from the exhaust
may get into the vehicle. See
Engine Exhaust on page 9‑24.

Advertising