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Old 02-18-2014, 07:00 PM   #1
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Chevrolet Tahoe or Chevrolet 1500?

I am looking to purchase either a Chevrolet Tahoe or 1500 4Door truck. Both are 5.3 l engines. My camper is a 27' Forest River Salem. It weighs about 5300 lbs dry weight...gross vehicle weight 7300 lbs...Double Axle. Which would be better to pull my camper? Both have the same motor...I am new to camping and I just want to be informed. I also would prefer NOT to buy a larger vehicle. Thanks for you help...
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Old 02-18-2014, 07:12 PM   #2
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Truck because of longer wheelbase will be more stable
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Old 02-18-2014, 07:32 PM   #3
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plus the truck will have a much higher towing capacity, hitch capacity, payload, and stronger suspension.
a Tahoe will be heavier, have less everything for towing and will have terribly soft suspension for towing.

comparing a full size SUV, to a full size pickup, isn't even fair when it comes to towing.
and the fact that they have the same engine, is only one piece of what it takes to tow safely.
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Old 02-18-2014, 07:34 PM   #4
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Tony - Whichever one you get, MAKE SURE you know what it's actual towing capacity is for the EXACT version of the truck you intend to buy. Don't let the dealer tell you "Oh, any 1/2 ton pickup can tow that." That's the biggest lie in the industry, and he WILL use it on you.

For example, my 2009 Silverado Owners Manual lists towing capacities for 99 (count'em - NINTEY NINE!!) different permutations (cab, engine, rear end gearing, transmission, cooling packages, towing packages, long/short bed, etc.) of the Silverado 1500 ranging from 4,400 lbs to 13,000 lbs. (There are additional listings for the 2500 and 3500.) There's an 8,600 lb spread between 4,400 and 13,000 lbs!!! Mine is good for 7,500 lbs.

So make sure the exact vehicle you intend to purchase can handle your TT.
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Old 02-18-2014, 07:35 PM   #5
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definitely the truck over the SUV
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Old 02-18-2014, 08:04 PM   #6
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I used to tow a 4,000lb TT with a Tahoe, and I would strongly suggest the truck, the Tahoe did ok but even with a 4 point sway control it wasn't great. We towed long distances would never do it again, we bought a 2500HD then upgraded to a 5th wheel.
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Old 02-18-2014, 08:55 PM   #7
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I have a Tahoe which came factory with the trailering auto leveling system with a gear ratio designed for pulling trailers and pulled this same trailer you are looking at with no problems for years. That being said, I would highly suggest that you look at all of the different items which are important in a tow vehicle. The engine size is only one consideration and the truck will probably be a better tow vehicle.
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Old 02-18-2014, 09:10 PM   #8
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X2 on rockfordroo's comment. Not sure what the towing packages/options are with the new silverados. Definately verify the options with the tow chart. You will need a good W/D hitch with the tongue weight on a crew cab.
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Old 02-18-2014, 09:12 PM   #9
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I have a Yukon with the 5.3 engine and 3.73 rear end and it pulls our 24' camper great! I would not feel unsafe with the 27' camper. With that being said, the truck in my signature is my preferred tow vehicle and not just because its diesel and a F250, although it does tow better. I love having the bed of my truck for firewood, bikes, generator, tripod and whatever other odds and ends may find their way in. In the Yukon, I can get wood and generator but even with a tarp and such it still gets a bit messy inside. Not to mention bugs....
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Old 02-22-2014, 11:02 AM   #10
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I bought a Ford F150...never bought a Ford before but it is a supercrew 5.4 Triton V8. 2004. This should be ok right?
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Old 02-22-2014, 11:34 AM   #11
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Lots of things to look at. Long wheelbase will be more stable, short wheelbase will be easier backing and turning, you can add a stiffer suspension to rear of suv to help. Truck will be able to carry firewood and all the stuff you wouldn't want in a suv. I tow a bigger trailer with a Chevy Avalanche similar frame and coil springs to a Tahoe. Haven't had a problem yet but my trailer is a lite version so it helps. All in you have the final but it is smart to ask around to see what others use.
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Old 02-22-2014, 01:22 PM   #12
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Gee here's a question on same post re:Tahoe vs 1500. Anybody have any thoughts on the Chev Avalanche?? I think same chassis and engine specs as Tahoe but possible suspension is different. I have a 13 Avalanche looking to pull 04 FR 26 BHSS.
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Old 02-22-2014, 03:16 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Poper View Post
Gee here's a question on same post re:Tahoe vs 1500. Anybody have any thoughts on the Chev Avalanche?? I think same chassis and engine specs as Tahoe but possible suspension is different. I have a 13 Avalanche looking to pull 04 FR 26 BHSS.
i own an '07 Avy, but it has the 4 spd trans, instead of the 6 spd trans that yours has. the chassis of the Tahoe is similar but wayyy shorter.
the Avy and the Burb are the same everything other than the Avy having a truck bed.

what's the UVW on the trailer's white weight sticker? and what brand is it? FR is the parent company but has tons of brands with similar model numbers.
and does your Avy have the factory tow package and what rear end ratio does it have?

my Avy has a max tow capacity of 7200lbs., so i'd only tow a trailer that had a UVW of 6200lbs. or less.
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Old 02-22-2014, 03:28 PM   #14
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Thanks, just got the 04 FR Flagstaff 26BHSS. I have had 02,06,10, now 13 Avy but pretty certain has tow pkg will have to check.
Not near TT to get weight, thanks for info re comparison to 1500. My guess is 5.3L with3.42 axle per book looks like max trailer wt is 5500 lbs
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Old 02-22-2014, 03:50 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Poper View Post
Thanks, just got the 04 FR Flagstaff 26BHSS. I have had 02,06,10, now 13 Avy but pretty certain has tow pkg will have to check.
Not near TT to get weight, thanks for info re comparison to 1500. My guess is 5.3L with3.42 axle per book looks like max trailer wt is 5500 lbs
if it has the factory tow package, it should be at least 7200lbs. the 6 spd trans gives it more towing capacity than mine. should be more like 7500lbs.

you need to find the white weight sticker, since it's an older trailer. should be on the inside of a cabinet door. here's mine:



notice my UVW of 4468lbs.
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and Zoe the Wonder Dog(R.I.P.)
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4pt Equal-i-zer WDH and 1828lbs of payload capacity
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Old 02-22-2014, 03:59 PM   #16
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I will check, but as far as I can tell, if it has towing pkg. the Avy manual shows 8000 lb.
Thanks again, still learning.
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Old 02-22-2014, 07:53 PM   #17
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My 06 Avalanche when I looked it up was 7900 lbs with the tow package.
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Old 02-22-2014, 07:57 PM   #18
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Regardless of which you get, try to get the dealer to switch the tires from P to LT LR D.
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Old 02-22-2014, 07:57 PM   #19
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Quote:
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My 06 Avalanche when I looked it up was 7900 lbs with the tow package.
you must have the 4.10 rear end.
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and Zoe the Wonder Dog(R.I.P.)
2016 PrimeTime TracerAIR 255, pushing a 2014 Ford F150 SCREW XTR 4x4 3.5 Ecoboost w/Max Tow Package
4pt Equal-i-zer WDH and 1828lbs of payload capacity
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Old 02-22-2014, 11:10 PM   #20
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Quote:
I bought a Ford F150...never bought a Ford before but it is a supercrew 5.4 Triton V8. 2004. This should be ok right?
Tony: You really shouldn't b e asking us. You should be looking at your Owners Manual. If you didn't get one, look here: http://www.fordservicecontent.com/Fo.../04f12og5e.pdf

7300 lbs COULD be overloading the truck, based a quick review of manual. Since you didn't say what your drive ratio is or your wheelbase.

Look at the manual.
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