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Trailer towing .. Too big?

Taaaaaaahoe?

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Ape0r Enthusiast

Ape0r

Posted
Posted
Looking at towing something like this, Has elect brakes on both axles, empty its about 3,200 lbs 

 

http://www.haulmark.com/php/products/get_f...n_pic_70149.jpg

 

Think i would have any problems towing this with my 2003 tahoe 4x4 LS 5.3L

 

Mike

 

 

 

 

Link is no good, think this is the right one, based on the 70149 number:

 

http://www.haulmark.com/php/products/submo..._model_id=70149

 

The smallest of those has a 7000lb GVWR, which your 'Hoe is probably rated for. Wouldn't recommend that kind of weight on a half-ton SUV.

 

If it weighs around 3200 empty, its fine, so long as you're careful about what you put in it!

silverado3500 Enthusiast

silverado3500

Posted
Posted

Depending on your what your rear end gears are, your tahoe should probably be able to tow that trailer ok, but you will be happier with a larger engine (6.0 or larger).

 

If you have a 4.10 rear end (unlikely) the tahoe will be good, if you have 3.73 it will do ok, but great (expect to spend a good bit of time in 3rd.) 3.42s would be definately pushing it.

 

Also, how often would you be pulling the trailer? If its only a few times a year for a relatively short distance, I'd be more likely to stick with the tahoe, but if your planning towing it frequently for longer distances, it might be worth the upgrade.

 

Hope that helps :cheers:

the blur Enthusiast

the blur

Posted
Posted

you can tow that NO PROBLEM at all. I tow 7000 lbs and my buddy tows 10,000lbs. We both have 1/2 tons.

 

ok, 10K lbs is pushing it, so we installed a bigger tranny cooler, but nothing else.

rudder73 Enthusiast

rudder73

Posted
Posted

I've heard the 5.3L is pushing it when you go over 5000 lbs unless you intend to stay on flat land(no hills). This calls for an upgrade of the 323 HP engine.

Kyle401 Enthusiast

Kyle401

Posted
Posted

You should be OK as long as you understand the limits of your tow vehicle and don't try to force it to maintain Hwy speeds on some of the larger hills you encounter. As several others have noted, your towing performance will be heavily dependent on the rear axle ratio you have installed. If you have the 3.08 or 3.23 rear you will suffer with poor towing economy and performance and likely burn up your ring and pinion. With 3.42's you will have adequate towing performance, but will be forced to slow a lot on hill climbs. 3.73's would be a good balance between towing performance and unloaded fuel economy if you will be towing on weekends, but using the vehicle as a commuter during the week. And 4.10's would be ideal if you are towing a signifcant number of miles and are unwilling to slow down some for the hills.

 

You can find you rear ratio by locating the following option codes in your glove box.

 

GU4 - 3.08

GU5 - 3.23

GU6 - 3.42

GT4 - 3.73

GT5 - 4.10

 

With a shorter wheelbase like the Tahoe, it would also be very advisable to invest in a weight distributing hitch possibly with a sway control system. Reese has several products available here.

 

Acceptable towing performance varies as greatly as each individual owner. My parents were content to pull their 27' Airstream with an '86 Astro equipped with 3.73's (replaced stock 3.08's), a HD trans cooler (added), load distributing hitch, and a 160 HP 4.3L V6. That combo grossed over 12K and the Astro struggled with extended steep grades, but usally managed to tow at hwy speeds. For my parents this was acceptable, as they understood that they were at/over their limits and didn't floor the van to maintain speed. That van ran for 240K miles with one major maintenance issue (torque converter/flywheel).

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