Global Machinery Company 2500hd Manual De Usuario

It takes the right truck to give you the specific trailering capabilities you need. 
A number of factors must be taken into account — everything from the weight of
the load to driving conditions. This document will assist you in selecting the vehi-
cle, powertrain and other equipment that best suit your particular application. 

You should look for the same qualities in a tow vehicle that you do in any truck —
you need it to be strong and powerful, as well as comfortable and accommodating.
That’s what makes GMC trucks such a smart choice for trailering. GMC trucks 
have what it takes for serious towing. Every truck shown in this document was 
engineered and manufactured with trailering in mind. And with the extensive 
lineup of GMC trucks, you can be sure there is one that is built to meet your 
trailering specifications.  

Safe trailering isn’t just a matter of hitching up and driving off — it places demands
on all the major systems of your truck, including powertrain, steering, suspension
and brake systems. Safe trailering also places the onus on you to meet legal
requirements, follow break in and maintenance schedules, use proper vehicle and
trailer loading guidelines and employ safe driving techniques. See your Owner’s
Manual for more information. Above all, safe and easy trailering requires a properly
equipped vehicle. It is important to ensure that a vehicle is built to handle your
specific trailering requirements. This will help you choose the right truck for the job.

If you don’t use the correct equipment and drive properly, you can lose control of
your vehicle when you pull a trailer. For example, if the trailer is too heavy, your
vehicle’s brakes may not work well — if at all. Your vehicle passengers and you
could also be seriously injured. Pull a trailer only after you have taken the following
precautions. Trailer Brakes — If your trailer weighs more than 454 kg (1000 lb.)*
loaded, then it must have its own adequate brakes. Be sure to read and follow the
instructions for the trailer brake controller so that it is installed, adjusted and
maintained properly. Hitches — It’s important to have the correct hitch equipment.
Crosswinds, large trucks going by and rough roads are just a few of the reasons
why you’ll need the right hitch. Be sure to use a frame-mounted, weight-distributing
hitch and sway control of the proper size if the loaded trailer will weigh more 
than the limit shown for a weight-carrying hitch in the specific vehicle notes. 
This equipment is very important for proper vehicle weight distribution and 
good handling. 
Note: These safety steps are by no means the only precautions to be taken when
trailering. See your vehicle Owner’s Manual for additional information.

*Sierras, Yukons and Yukon XLs can handle loaded trailer weights up to 907 kg (2000 lb.) where local 

regulations permit.

Before you can select the right tow vehicle, you need to define your trailering
requirements, including the trailer type, its loaded weight and the way it will be
used. Pick your trailer first.

Even if you plan to tow a trailer for only one or two trips a year, your tow vehicle
must be strong and stable enough to be safe under the most extreme towing situations
it is likely to face. Will towing include trips in mountainous areas with long, steep
grades and high altitudes? Will you be driving it in extreme temperatures? Will
road conditions, winter operation or slippery boat ramps dictate the need for 
four-wheel drive? Each of these factors has an impact on your choice of a towing
vehicle. If you plan to use a vehicle primarily for towing, you should optimize its
trailering equipment. If instead you are going to use a vehicle primarily for
personal transportation with only occasional towing, your need for specialized
equipment may be less. But the vehicle still needs to be capable of towing the

trailer you have selected — even the most basic trailering requires some special
equipment. Obviously, trailer weight is critical in vehicle selection. In making this
calculation, don’t forget to include your estimate of the weight of passengers,
cargo and other equipment in the tow vehicle. Once you have established your 
trailering requirements, you are ready to determine specifications for the tow 
vehicle. Properly selected vehicle components provide the added durability needed
to support, move and stop the extra weight of a trailer.

A locking-type differential is available in most GMC trucks and is standard in many.
It permits normal differential action, which helps prevent tire scuffing when turning.
If the differential senses an excessive difference in speed between the rear driving
wheels, it forces power to the wheel with the best traction and is more effective
than the limited slip designs used by most competitors. This advantage is most
evident on slippery surfaces where traction is at a premium, such as on boat ramps
and ice- or snow-covered roads.

Most GMC trucks equipped with a 4-speed automatic transmission feature a Tow/Haul mode,* which helps minimize
wear and tear on the transmission by reducing the frequency of transmission shifting when pulling a heavy trailer. It
also improves performance and control of your vehicle’s speed, for smoother operation. Pressing the Tow/Haul mode
selector switch located on the end of the gearshift lever (on the instrument panel in Savana Vans) produces a more
aggressive transmission shift pattern, which lengthens the shift intervals and produces firmer upshifts. 
Take note: this is not the overdrive lock-out used by many competitors. In fact, Tow/Haul mode, combined with Passive
Shift Stabilization, permits towing in overdrive for optimum fuel efficiency in most situations. The Passive Shift
Stabilization feature detects and reduces a condition referred to as “shift busyness.” 

*Except GMC Canyon, GMC Envoy, Buick Rainier, Pontiac Montana SV6 and Buick Terraza.

Folding camping trailer, 

Up to 907 kg (2000 lb.)

Weight-carrying hitch

10%-15% of loaded trailer weight

snowmobile and jet-ski trailers

91 kg (200 lb.) maximum

Single axle trailer, open utility

908 kg – 1588 kg

Weight-carrying hitch

10%-15% of loaded trailer weight

trailer and small boat trailers

(2001 – 3500 lb.)

159 kg (350 lb.) maximum

Dual axle trailers, larger boats

1589 kg – 2268 kg

Weight-carrying or

10%-15% of loaded trailer weight

and enclosed utility trailers

(3501 – 5000 lb.)

Weight-distributing hitch

272 kg (600 lb.) maximum

Large horse or travel and

2269 kg – 4536 kg

Weight-distributing or 

10%-15% of loaded trailer weight.

15%-25% of loaded trailer weight.

fifth-wheel recreational trailers

(5001 – 10,000 lb.)

fifth-wheel hitch

544 kg (1200 lb.) maximum

Maximum limited by truck’s

for weight-distributing hitch.

GVWR.

Largest horse, travel and

4537 kg (10,001 lb.) 

Weight-distributing,  

10%-15% of loaded trailer weight.

15%-25% of loaded trailer weight.

fifth-wheel recreational or

and over

fifth-wheel or 

680 kg (1500 lb.) maximum

1588 kg (3500 lb.) maximum

commercial trailers

gooseneck hitch.

for weight-distributing hitch.

for fifth-wheel hitch.

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