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Black plate (45,1)
Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-45
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 the safety of the
driver and the passengers. So
please read this section carefully
before pulling a trailer.
Load-pulling components such as
the engine, transmission, axles,
wheel assemblies and tires are
forced to work harder against the
drag of the added weight. The
engine is required to operate at
relatively higher speeds and under
greater loads, generating extra heat.
The trailer also adds considerably to
wind resistance, increasing the
pulling requirements.
Weight of the Trailer
How heavy can a trailer safely be?
It should never weigh more than
454 kg (1,000 lbs). But even that
can be too heavy.
It depends on how the rig is used.
For example, speed, altitude, road
grades, outside temperature and
how much the vehicle is used to pull
a trailer are all important. It can
depend on any special equipment
on the vehicle, and the amount of
tongue weight the vehicle can carry.
See “Weight of the Trailer Tongue”
later in this section for more
information.
Maximum trailer weight is calculated
assuming only the driver is in the
tow vehicle and it has all the
required trailering equipment.
The weight of additional optional
equipment, passengers and cargo in
the tow vehicle must be subtracted
from the maximum trailer weight.
Ask your dealer for trailering
information or advice, or write us at
our Customer Assistance Offices.
See Customer Assistance Offices
on page 13‑4 for more information.
Weight of the Trailer Tongue
The tongue load (A) of any trailer is
an important weight to measure
because it affects the total gross
weight of the vehicle. The Gross
Vehicle Weight(GVW) includes the
curb weight of the vehicle, any
cargo carried in it, and the people
who will be riding in the vehicle.
If there are a lot of options,
equipment, passengers or
cargo in the vehicle, it will reduce
the tongue weight the vehicle can
carry, which will also reduce the
trailer weight the vehicle can tow.