Non-Jeep Towing Capacity

[JeepMonkey]

Are any of you towing trailers with Chevy Tahoes? If so, what are your weights and such. We're looking at getting a toyhauler and I've been researching trailer weights and towing capacities. I'd like to get some real world oppinions. As far as I can tell the limit for the Tahoe is 7800lbs. The trailer I'm looking at is 5200lbs @ 23ft. Sound reasonable or am I crazy?

 

[Bounty__Hunter]

That's a crazy heavy trailer, or is that loaded with a vehicle?

 

[90Xjay]

I think he means 5200 pound capacity on the axles.

The Tahoe will pull just about anything... getting stopped is another issue.
Does this trailer have brakes?

 

[JeepMonkey]

Trailer has brakes. Tahoe has trailer brake hook-ups. I'm pretty sure 5200lbs was the unloaded weight of the trailer. I'll keep looking and verify that. I totally understand about stopping and having a heavy enough vehicle that the trailer won't push it down the road.

 

[Bounty__Hunter]

I occasionally pull with our TrailBlazer EXT, it has the 5.3L commonly found in the new Tahoe and pulls real well. Just enough weight to the EXT with 4whl disc to stop a trailer loaded with a jeep. I wouldn't pull much more weight than that around here.

 

[JeepMonkey]

Hitch Weight = 745lbs
Cargo Weight = 4000lbs
Axle Weight = 5250lbs

 

[90Xjay]

do you happen to know what gearing the Tahoe has?

 

[JeepMonkey]

I believe it's th 3.73. It came with a tow package, but it doesn't feel as low as 4.10.

 

[90Xjay]

I believe it's th 3.73. It came with a tow package, but it doesn't feel as low as 4.10.

if you take your VIN to your local GM parts counter, they will tell you for sure unless you don't have the orignal window sticker. Sometimes people put them in the glove box for reference.

I'm thinking the gearing and engine are fine and if it has a factory tow package, it should have the external transmission oil cooler which is a must for towing something that heavy.

 

[TwistedCU]

Axle Weight = 5250lbs

That's the maximum loaded weight, like a GVWR on a truck. There's no way that trailer weighs 2.625 tons

 

[TwistedCU]

remember to not use overdrive when you tow.

 

[90Xjay]

That's the maximum loaded weight, like a GVWR on a truck. There's no way that trailer weighs 2.625 tons

Right. and remeber to subtract the weight of the trailer itself off of the max load weight to see how much you can add.

 

[Bounty__Hunter]

remember to not use overdrive when you tow.

That's always been my belief, but our TB owners manual says you can tow in OD. I don't take any chances and tow in 3rd.

 

[droopey]

My trailer weighs 1925 empty, It is 6'10x18'. My jeep weighs 4480. The axles can handle 3500 lbs. a piece. I use to tow It with my 1500 Z71. Now I use my R 1500 suburban with a weight distribution hitch, both towed It no problem.

 

[TwistedCU]

That's always been my belief, but our TB owners manual says you can tow in OD. I don't take any chances and tow in 3rd.

Many vehicles with a factory tow package have an "Overdrive off" button or switch. Our E-350 has one right on the column shifter.

I would never tow any significant weight with OD. The transmission is already working harder with the higher than 1:1 ratio...

Maybe a JetSki or something but a boat or heavy trailer? No way Jose.

 

[JeepMonkey]

The shifter has the button to put it in "tow-haul" mode, but it doesn't keep it out of overdrive. It's just designed to hold it in gear longer before shifting. I pulled a little trailer with two quads this weekend in overdrive almost the whole trip except for the hills.

Thanks for all the info.

 

[TwistedCU]

The shifter has the button to put it in "tow-haul" mode, but it doesn't keep it out of overdrive. It's just designed to hold it in gear longer before shifting. I pulled a little trailer with two quads this weekend in overdrive almost the whole trip except for the hills.

Thanks for all the info.

Ahh, okay... it will probably downshift sooner as well.

 

[fast_Z28_guy]

at work we have a 5.3L tahoe that we use to pull a 25' boston whaler boat. it has twin 150 outboards, a 150gal tank of gas, and typically has 500lbs of dive gear in it.

i would think with the trailer, boat, motors, and gear we are EASILY pushing 6000Lbs or more...(total guess)

it tows it without a problem, as well as pulls it out of boat ramps...even without 4x4 engaged.

as for stopping the trailer has brakes.

our other tow vehicles are a 5.4L F250 and 5.4L Expeditions....and the tahoe blows them out of the water.