Mike8283

I am an RV'er and pull a car behind our motorhome when we travel. The MH has a max curb weight restriction of 3500 lbs. for anything that is towed. I am seriously considering purchasing a 2010 Malibu LTZ with ECOTEC 4-cylinder DOHC engine and 6 speed automatic transmission, but there is a question about the car's curb weight. Specs on the Chevy website (
http://media.gm.com/content/media/us/en/chevrolet/vehicles/malibu/2010.tab1.html) for the LTZ only reference the car with the V-6 engine, and list the weight as 3649 lbs. However the LS with the 4-cylinder is just over 3400 lbs. Can anyone tell me the curb weight of the 4-cylinder LTZ with 6 speed automatic? Or if that's not possible, a reliable source within Chevrolet to ask. I was on the chat line tonight with Chevy and all they were able to do was reference the specs on the link above. Thanks

Chevrolet Customer Service

Mike8283,

The Owners Manual states on page 5-22:
Steps for Determining Correct Load
Limit
1. Locate the statement “The combined weight of
occupants and cargo should never exceed
XXX kg or XXX lbs” on your vehicle’s placard.
2. Determine the combined weight of the driver
and passengers that will be riding in your
vehicle.
3. Subtract the combined weight of the driver
and passengers from XXX kg or XXX lbs.
4. The resulting figure equals the available
amount of cargo and luggage load capacity.
For example, if the “XXX” amount equals
1400 lbs and there will be five 150 lb
passengers in your vehicle, the amount of
available cargo and luggage load capacity is
650 lbs (1400 − 750 (5 x 150) = 650 lbs).
5. Determine the combined weight of luggage
and cargo being loaded on the vehicle. That
weight may not safely exceed the available
cargo and luggage load capacity calculated in
Step 4.
6. If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, the load
from your trailer will be transferred to your
vehicle. Consult this manual to determine how
this reduces the available cargo and luggage
load capacity for your vehicle.
If your vehicle can tow a trailer, see Towing a
Trailer on page 5-30 for important information
on towing a trailer, towing safety rules, and
trailering tips.

And on page 5-31

Weight of the Trailer
How heavy can a trailer safely be?
It should never weigh more than 1,000 lbs (454 kg).
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/retailer for trailering information or
advice, or write us at our Customer Assistance Offices.
See Customer Assistance Offices on page 8-6 for
more information.

Hope this helps.

Erica Tiffany
Chevrolet Customer Service