Towing with a Tahoe

[youd47]

Does anyone have some experience towing with a 5.3 L v8, HD towing package, in a tahoe. I'm wondering if my wife would be comfortable towing a two horse alluminum with this set up. ? Enough stopping power? Enough weight that the trailer isn't driving the vehicle?

Any experiences would be aprreciated.

 

[MORSNO]

What will you be hauling? Weight will be the deciding factor. I have been hauling sleds on a 16' open with a 5.3 with no problem what so ever.

 

[carpainter29]

If the trailer has brakes i wouldnt be scared at all. Pull my two place sled trailer all over with the wifes 04 Tahoe, no issues. Gets better fuel mileage pulling than my 07 f150.

 

[Kevin]

I pulled a 2-place enclosed sled trailer with my 5.3 tahoe. It works OK, not great but ok. I would not be worried at all on flat dry roads with horses. Get a good brake controller. I also used a set of towing mirror extensions that helped a lot.

 

[midwestmountain1]

my 02 tahoe only get 10-13 empty who knows how bad when pulling. that combined with the short wheelbase, i would not use it as a tow vehicle personally.

wish I still had my 02 silverado 18 empty 16-17 towing 2 place. same motor how can that be?

 

[carpainter29]

wish I still had my 02 silverado 18 empty 16-17 towing 2 place. same motor how can that be?

Thats what i get with the 04. Dunno why your tahoe is so much lower. geared differently perhaps?

 

[catnfool]

not a 'hoe, but my 1500 gmc quad shortbox w/a 5.3 did fine towing; I got 13.5mpg towing a toyota car on a ryder tandem axle trailer. That was from Seattle to Kalispell setting the cruise at 78 and letting it shift where it wanted- usually at 5500 rpm

 

[eldercaddy]

Hi youd47. Could you post some photos of your 5.3L v8?

 

[97exc]

I tow a 2 place sled trailer with my 01 Tahoe, its not bad but does hurt gas mileage on hills. I normally see about 17 daily driving, 13-15 loaded down and going uphill. With no trailer brakes I wouldn't want to go any heavier than 1500-2000lbs.

I have towed a Jeep on a car hauler (6600 lbs) which is close to the limit and you can really feel the weight, I don't think the rear coil suspension is all that great for towing.

As a side note, Ive found that my vehicle actually does better NOT using tow/haul mode. I just shift "manually" to keep it in the gear I want.

 

[Jaynelson]

2-place aluminum....open or closed?

I have literally seen Subaru's pulling 2-place open sled trailers....I think you'll be fine lol

 

[itsallgood]

Anyone else see better milleage w/ a chip? I don't tow w/ my wifes Tahoe but did notice a difference w/ a chip. Last tank of city driving was about 16 with the chip. Took the chip out last week & filled up again this morning & it was 11? Never thought claims of better mileage was liget w/ chips but now I'm thinking otherwise. My wife drives crazy w/ her foot constantly on & off the gas so these results can't all be the chip but its enough to think its making a difference.