Chevy Tahoe for TV?

[RVBuff]

I've been told the Chevy Tahoe can be had with a heavy duty tow package. Does anybody have info on how big a trailer it will pull?

[007matman]

Check out the trailer life towing guide.

http://www.trailerlife.com/trailer-towing-guides/

The challenge would be the short wheelbase. If you're buying, I'd go for the Suburban.

Lots of folks use them. I had an '10 Esky ESV I was using to tow with. Didn't go.well being close to tow capability with a 33' trailer.

[spydunks]

I’ve towed with the Tahoe and a Suburban. Much prefer the Suburban. It’s night and day what the little extra wheelbase gives. Much more stability and less ‘tail wagging the dog’. The Tahoe got tossed around by the trailer, where the suburban was much more stable.

[14apex]

In my experience, up to 6,000 lbs. or so, the Tahoe is a comfy TV. With the "tow package" and rear axle ratio (3:42 or, even 3:73) it performs "OK". That said, the rear differential is probably the weak point and eventually may need repair. The 2500 Suburban option is an ideal and extremely comfortable TV.

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by 14apex

The 2500 Suburban option is an ideal and extremely comfortable TV.

And like the Ford Excursion, both are rarer because they haven't been made for years.

[Beachbourbon]

I am a fan of these vehicles, but I wouldn’t tow more than 7500 lbs total with a 1500 Tahoe/suburban. To me, this means a 5000 lb TT because if you walk around any campground, you can easily see a TON of stuff campers bring with them! I’m still astounded...yesterday saw TEN windmills in a campsite!

I have seen people do more on short trips on flat roads with their rear suspension dragging and a trip to the tranny shop imminent, but I won’t. I’ve also seen peoletow wth FWD based vehicles with their rear dragging and their FWD popping up on the road, but I won’t be doing that either.

[Kf4mnc]

Originally Posted by bikendan

And like the Ford Excursion, both are rarer because they haven't been made for years.

Not entirely true. 2500HD Suburbans are still made new for government agencies. You can most certainly purchase them on the used market.

Have a look at Chicago Motors. They specialize in such vehicles and pretty regularly have stock of the 2500HD suburban.

https://www.chicagomotors.com/mobile

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by Kf4mnc

Not entirely true. 2500HD Suburbans are still made new for government agencies. You can most certainly purchase them on the used market.

Have a look at Chicago Motors. They specialize in such vehicles and pretty regularly have stock of the 2500HD suburban.

https://www.chicagomotors.com/mobile

Not exactly available for much of the Country.

[Hersbird]

A new aluminum Expedition or Navigator matches the ability of a Excursion but it is 1000 pounds short on payload compared to a 2500 Suburban. There are plenty on 2010-2013 Suburban 2500s out there used and the differences between them and a 2018 Suburban is not all that big of a deal. Heck I love the way my 2001 2500 Yukon XL rides and drives and it will just get a new motor if the 235,000 mile 6.0 ever gives up. The only other choice I considered would have been the last 2 years of the Hummer H2 but they don't have the space behind the 3rd row and cost 6 times what my Suburban did.

[Mainframe]

I own a 5.3 Tahoe and an F150 3.5 twin turbo, driving the Tahoe is like driving the Ford with the parking brake on, also, I towed my 23ws with 2 hands on the wheel the whole time I towed with it, now the F150 one hand steady as a rock, I would definitely opt for the Expedition with the 3.5. The Tahoe is a great ride but I don't think it is really cut out for towing, it will do it but it really doesn't want to and it will let you know the whole time you are traveling.

[BandJCarm]

Family has owned one that was new in Oct, 2000. 2001 model. Son drives it now. It has 269,000, but we put a lot of those miles on it. I personally never would even use it to pull my boat trailer. Just too short.

[Tundra 2014]

We had a 2000 Tahoe pulling a 4500 trailer. Switched to 03 Tundra, Huge improvement. The problem w/ SUVs is the extra weight of roof and softer suspension. Both the Expedition and Suburbans are better, if you can find a 2500 and do not mind a 10 year old truck while hauling family and trailer.