Fleet and Commercial Bellingham Dealers
Jerry Chambers Fleet Truck Center
Serving Bellingham, Lynden, Mount Vernon, Anacortes Commercial dealers
Whether you’re a business owner or fleet manager, this guide is designed to help
you match your tasks and vocation to find the perfect vehicle to suit your
needs. Whether it’s a platform bed, stake bed, van body, dump bed - you name it
- you can look up the body style you need to see which vehicles fit the bill.
You don’t have to have a specific vehicle in mind to get started in Bellingham, Lynden, Mount
Vernon or Anacortes.
GM Upfitter Integration
The Light and Medium Duty Body Builder Manuals that are published by Upfitter
Integration contain a wide range of technical information, including electrical
schematics, body and frame dimensions, exhaust system modification, etc..
The Body Builders Manual contains information that may be used in addition to
the Incomplete Vehicle Document (IVD) for any manufacturer making alterations to
a GM complete/incomplete vehicle. No alteration should be made to the incomplete
vehicle which either directly or indirectly results in any component, assembly
or system being in nonconformance with any applicable Federal Motor Vehicle
Safety Standard or Emission Regulation.
The IVD is supplied with each incomplete vehicle, and provides information that
should be used by intermediate and final stage manufacturers in determining
conformity to applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS).
Light Duty:
Vehicles include the Canyon/Colorado, Sierra/Silverado, Express/Savana,
Tahoe/Yukon/Suburban , Uplander, etc. Serving Bellingham, Lynden, Mount Vernon,
and Anacortes, Washington
Medium Duty:
Vehicles include the C Series (Chevrolet Kodiak & GMC TopKick), T Series - 6500
/ 7500 / 8500 (Chevrolet & GMC), F Series - FTR / FVR / FXR / FXR-TDM (Isuzu), W
Series - 3500 / 4500 / 5500 (Chevrolet & GMC), N Series, NPR / NPR-HD / NQR /
NRR (Isuzu). Serving Bellingham, Lynden, Mount Vernon, and Anacortes, Washington
Business Central
Chevrolet and GMC Business Central dealers across the country feature knowledgeable,
professionally trained staff committed to helping businesses like yours identify
the vehicles you need to operate your business effectively and efficiently. The
right vehicles to get the job done, equipped the way you need them!
Jerry Chambers Fleet and Commercial dealership:
- Is committed to businesses like yours
- Have dedicated, knowledgeable, trained staff
- Have commercially-oriented demonstrator vehicles
- Inventory work-ready business trucks, vans and utility vehicles available for prompt
delivery
- Have access to Special Vehicle Manufacturers to help you get special upfits and
equipment you need to get work done
- Have service facilities staffed and equipped to cater to business customers
For full information and locations, visit our websites at
chevybusinesscentral.com or gmcbusinesscentral.com
Online Order Guide Trailering Specs
Consult the following chart to determine the suitability of a specific model for
your towing needs. Hitch types must conform to the tongue weight and Gross Trailer
Weight of your towing application. For full safety information, consult the Chevrolet
or GMC Trailering Guide. Comprehensive trailering specifications by model are listed
online at gmfleet.com. To access the specs, select the “TOOLS” menu and click on
“PRE-ORDER” and then “Online Order Guide” submenu item. Select a model year and
choose “Cars/Light Trucks” from the menu. Once inside the Online Order Guide, select
a model and click on the “Trailering Specs” menu item for that model.
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Classification
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Typical Examples
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Weight Range
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Typical Hitch Type
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Typical Hitch (Tongue) Weight
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Light-Duty (I)
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Folding camping trailer, snowmobiles and Jet Ski trailers
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Up to 2000 pound gross weight (trailer and cargo combined)
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Weight-carrying hitch
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10%–15% of gross trailer weight (200 pound) maximum
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Medium-Duty (II)
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Single-axle trailers up to 18 feet long, open utility trailers and small speedboats
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2001–3500 pound gross trailer weight
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Weight-carrying hitch
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10%–15% of gross trailer weight (350 pound) maximum
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Heavy-Duty (III)
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Dual- or single-axle trailers, larger boats and enclosed utility trailers
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3501–5000 pound gross trailer weight
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Weight-carrying hitch or weight-distributing hitch
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10%–15% of gross trailer weight (600 pound) maximum
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Extra Heavy-Duty (IV)
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Two-horse, travel and fifthwheel recreational trailers
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5001–10,000 pound gross trailer weight
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Weight-distributing hitch or fifth-wheel hitch
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10%–15% of gross trailer weight (1200 pound) maximum
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Maximum Heavy-Duty (V)
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Largest horse, travel and fifth-wheel recreational or commercial trailers
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10,001 pound and above gross trailer weight
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Weight-distributing hitch or fifth-wheel hitch
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10%–15% of gross trailer weight (1500- pound maximum for weightdistributing hitch
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15%–25% of gross trailer weight (3500- pound maximum for fifth-wheel or gooseneck
hitch)
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Selecting the Right Hitch
Choosing the right hitch and making the proper electrical connections affects how
your vehicle handles, corners and brakes, and allows you
The Weight-Carrying (Deadweight) Hitch consists of a hitch ball mounted to a step
bumper or draw bar. It is the most common type of hitch used for trailering
light and medium loads. Hitch balls are available in a range of sizes. Class I
hitches use a 1-7/8-inch hitch ball, available as an accessory from GMSPO. Class
II trailers use a deadweight hitch and a 2-inch hitch ball. Class III hitches
may be weight-carrying or weightdistributing, depending on application. Make
sure that the hitch ball diameter matches the trailer coupler. Also check that
the ball meets or exceeds the gross trailer weight requirements.
The Weight-Distributing Hitch is most often used for heavier trailering. This
hitch type more evenly distributes the trailer load by using adjustable spring
bars that pull upward on the hitch, to shift some of the hitch weight forward
onto the tow vehicle’s front axle, and rearward to the trailer’s axles. Its
effects are to improve steering sensitivity and feel, and to reduce trailer
sway.
Fifth-Wheel and Gooseneck Hitches are specifically designed for heavy trailering
with full-size pickup trucks like the Silverado and Sierra. These hitches are
located in the bed of the truck and position the trailer’s kingpin weight over
or slightly in front of the truck’s rear axle. Fifthwheel and gooseneck hitches
are most frequently used with travel trailers, horse trailers and other large
trailers.
The Wiring Harness allows you to connect the electrical components of your
trailer, such as signal and brake lights, to the trailering vehicle. Silverado
and Sierra feature a 7-pin wiring harness to streamline hookup of trailer
lighting and brakes and a bussed electrical center makes it easier to connect an
electrical trailer brake controller.
Trailer Brakes are required above 2000-pound trailer weight on Silverado and
Sierra. 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 and while 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. Optional Trailering Packages are available for a wide
variety of models, and many include a trailer hitch platform.
Trailering Terms
Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) is the weight in pounds each axle is capable of
supporting. The load on each axle must not exceed its GAWR. The GAWR for each
vehicle is displayed on the driver’s door or door-lock pillar label.
Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) is the maximum possible weight (in pounds)
of the vehicle and trailer combination, including the weight of the driver,
passengers, fuel, optional equipment and gear in the vehicle and trailer.
Gross Trailer Weight (GTW) is the weight of a loaded trailer.
Maximum Trailer Rating is determined by subtracting vehicle weight from the GCWR.
At the maximum trailer rating for a properly equipped vehicle, you should be
able to accelerate and merge with traffic, climb typical interstate grades at
highway speeds, have control on varying road surfaces and stop adequately within
a reasonable distance.
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) is the maximum number of pounds a tow vehicle
may weigh. Everything that contributes to the weight of the tow vehicle is
calculated in this rating, including the weight of the vehicle, driver and all
passengers, fuel, payload, trailer tongue weight, hitch weight and all optional
equipment. The GVWR is displayed on the driver’s door or door-lock pillar label
of your vehicle.
Tongue (or Hitch) Weight is the total number of pounds of trailer weight pressing
down on the trailer hitch. Keep in mind that the way a trailer is loaded affects
the overall tongue weight and will also affect the handling of the tow vehicle
when trailering.
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Required Information |
- Body Type
- Van, Flat Bed, Stake, Dump
- Body Length
- Defines the Wheelbase / Cab-to-Axle (CA) dimensions
- Payload (the commodity and how much it weighs)
- Defines the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR): body and equipment weight plus
the weight of the commodity and the cab/chassis weight. Also defines the Model
Series of the Truck; e.g., C5500, C6500, C7500, T6500.
- Operating Conditions
- Defines the requirements for engine, transmission and gear ratio selections
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Additional Consideration |
Will the operator have a Commercial Driver License (CDL)? If not, the truck must
have a GVWR of 26,000 lbs or less. Note: In some states, a truck equipped
with Air Brakes (JE4) cannot be classified as a "non-CDL" truck even with a GVWR
of 26,000lbs or less. Always check local requirements.
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User requirements |
- Non-CDL Truck
- 10,000lb Payload
- 20-ft Van body with a lift gate
- Predominately expressway driving in Central Ohio delivery goods from a warehouse
in Dayton to Toledo, Ashland and Cincinnati-area retail outlets
- Loading at warehouse is from a loading dock
- Deliveries are typically at ground level
- No Trailer
- Approximately 40,000-miles per year
- Multiple drivers with diverse experience levels
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Assumptions |
- Available recommended wheelbase/CAs for a 20-ft Van body are 212in/144in,
224in/156in or 236in/156in. Due to the specification of a lift gate and the
additional weight it adds to the rear of the frame, the first choice would be to
use the 236in/156in length. Local area practices and body company
recommendations should always be considered.
- Maximum GVWR: 26,000lbs due to user's requirement for non-CDL vehicle
- Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) not a consideration due there being no
trailer
- Speed Limit in Ohio for trucks is 65 MPH - the terrain is typically flat along
the route, dictating an engine with a lower horsepower/torque rating, which has
the potential for greater durability and better fuel efficiency
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Recommendation |
- Model C6C042 - Right Spec D6AVN
- Upgrade engine to 230HP/660 lb-ft Isuzu 6HK-TC diesel engine
- Allison 2200 HS/RDS Automatic Transmission
- 10,000lb capacity front axle and tapered-leaf front suspension with standard
stabilizer bar
- 19,000lb capacity rear axle
- Rear Suspension - Choice should comprehend commodity to be hauled
- Fragile Load - use 19,000lb capacity tapered-leaf suspension with required rear
stabilizer bar and shock absorbers or a 19,000lb capacity air ride suspension
- Standard Load - use 21,000lb capacity multi leaf suspension
- Rear Axle Ratio - 5.29:1 - provides excellent fuel economy and more than 24%
"start-ability" - at 65 MPH, the engine will be turning approximately 1800 RPM,
allowing the Allison Automatic to downshift if a grade is encountered, ensuring
little road speed loss.
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Transmission |
- Load: Heavy loads require higher horsepower/torque engines.
- Terrain: Hilly or mountainous terrain requires higher horsepower/torque engines.
- Annual Mileage covered: High annual mileage (greater than 25,000 miles) dictates
diesel power.
- Customer Expectations: Many drivers expect the truck to drive up grades similar
to a passenger car or light truck.
- Stationary Power Take-Off (PTO) applications: PTO operations typically require
an electronic hand throttle, requiring a PTO drive gear in the automatic or
manual transmission.
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Front
axle/suspension |
- Primary factor is driver capability.
- An Allison Automatic Transmission is indicated unless driver skill set includes
operating a manual transmission - with special attention to clutch operation.
Note: If hydraulic brakes are specified, an available automatic with a PARK
position is an excellent choice.
- Synchronized 5- and 6-speed manual transmissions are suitable for many
applications, if the drivers' skill sets are adequate.
- Multi-speed Road Ranger transmissions are suitable for heavy applications such
as single- or tandem-axle dump trucks or pulling a heavy trailer, but require
excellent driver skills.
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Rear axle/suspension |
- City operations with potential for increased "curb-banging" dictate the use of
higher capacity front axles to improve durability.
- Tapered leaf front suspensions are appropriate for vans, flat bed / stake, and
delivery type vehicles.
- Multi-leaf suspensions are a must for dump trucks and snow plows.
- A front stabilizer bar / shock absorber is always a good choice.
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Chassis |
- Longer wheelbases may require higher capacity frame rails and reinforcements to
maintain front axle capacity ratings.
- Dump applications dictate either higher capacity frame rails, reinforcements, or
both.
- Bucket truck applications typically convey increased loads into the frame rails.
Note: Consult truck body and equipment supplier recommendations for minimum
requirements and follow or exceed their guidelines.
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Cab |
- Cab options primarily consist of comfort and convenience items: air ride
suspension seats, 2-person passenger seating, air conditioning, power windows
and locks, remote keyless entry, tilt wheel, cruise control, etc.
- Consider your drivers' needs and choose accordingly.
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Brakes |
- Hydraulic brakes are typically specified for lower weight class applications
(26,000lbs and under).
- Air brakes are utilized in higher capacity applications and severe stop-and-go
operations, such as refuse service.
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Fuel Tank |
- On C4500 and C5500, fuel tanks are located inside the frame rails amidships and
also behind the rear axle.
- If secondary bodies or an under-body hoist require "real estate" for
attachment/operation, be certain the fuel tanks do not interfere.
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GVWR/GCWR |
- GVWR is Gross Vehicle Weight Rating. It is the rated capacity of the
vehicle, and includes cab/chassis weight, body and payload weight, fuel, driver
and occupant weights, tools, chains, wheel chocks, fire extinguisher and
anything else in or on the vehicle.
- GCWR is Gross Combined Weight Rating. It is the rated combined capacity
of the truck and trailer it is towing. This includes the GVW of the truck, plus
the weight of a trailer and all payloads on the trailer.
- Note: If the GCW exceeds 26,000lbs a Commercial Driver License (CDL) may be
required. Some states enforce this rule by adding the GVWR of the Truck to the
GVWR of the Trailer, and not the actual loads being carried.
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