Towing with a Tahoe (2002)
08-04-2018, 07:18 PM
#1
Towing with a Tahoe (2002)
My folks have a really good running Tahoe, they rarely use it now that they are retired. Can pretty much get it for free. My truck tows the 18' open car trailer I have just fine, the 20' enclosed... sketchy with the short wheelbase. I measured, the Tahoe has a shorter wheelbase than my truck.
I do not want to invest time and money if it won't be any better than my truck. I have a good 4L80E that I would like to swap in. Most likely add 4.10 gears and a tru cool 40k.
I am primarily looking for something with more room and more stable at speed. Anyone out there doing this? Or am I just nuts?
I do not want to invest time and money if it won't be any better than my truck. I have a good 4L80E that I would like to swap in. Most likely add 4.10 gears and a tru cool 40k.
I am primarily looking for something with more room and more stable at speed. Anyone out there doing this? Or am I just nuts?
08-06-2018, 09:15 AM
#5
I towed my regular cab on a 20' open trailer (~6k lbs) for years with a 2001 Tahoe 5.3L 4wd 3.73 gear 33" tires. The Tahoe needs some suspension upgrades to handle the weight of the trailer. Swaybars, boxed lower control arms and coil spring bags make it feel much more stable when towing. I also had a weight distribution hitch on the trailer so that helps get some weight on the front end of the tow vehicle and offers some sway control. I never felt unsafe towing with the Tahoe after all of the upgrades. Just be sure to have your trailer brakes set properly. I had to do an emergency stop one time before I got trailer brakes and I swear the trailer lifted the back wheels of the Tahoe off the ground. My only complaint towing with the Tahoe was the power. It did fine on flat ground but struggled on steep hills or mountains. Therefore I would recommend some power upgrades along with the 4.10s/4L80 if you are going to be towing outside of Florida.
08-06-2018, 10:43 AM
#6
I have an 02 5.3 Tahoe, that for some time was limited to strictly tow duty. It has a cam, gears, 33s, full exhaust, etc. Been procharged a few times, pulled ~5500lbs round trip from Abq to Las Vegas for LS Fest, pulled campers a couple hundreds miles, flat towed cars lots of times, yanked out stuck RVs; all the ****.
Suspension upgrades include OEM Z71 package, 1.5" lift pucks, 5100s, 9.5" SF from an H2 and fabbed rear arms (all 5). I built a bumper with an integrated hitch, so I dont have the factory distribution hitch anymore. My hitch is higher and closer to the frame, so the leverage is different on the suspension, but I did 0 math on that. I just built it, and it hasnt failed yet or gotten sketchy. I do have a trailer brake controller. We are factory wired for it, take advantage of it.
Realistically, I would be happier in a 2500 CCSB or at the very least, a 2500 Sub. The Tahoe short WB has never boned me, ever. And its rated to pull 8200 (4wd) with 6800 GVWR. Ive been over both those numbers a handful of times, not that I am proud of it, but I do have a 9.5" SF to help out with that. I tow slow, 55-60mph. My max trans temp has been 196 after a 16mi unlocked in 3rd climb on a 4L60, and I get 11-12mpg depending on hills. I just think a diesel would make a better tow rig and the Sub has more room for fuel and gear.
Depending on the distance traveled, I dont think you'll have a problem. My reservations are 1) its gonna be slow going (be smart, arrive alive) 2) 10 bolts scare me 3) fuel cap is limited, so range is like 150-200mi depending on conditions. 4) be smart about tongue weight, because the short WB could cause you trouble.
Happy towing! I think in the end itll be fine.
Suspension upgrades include OEM Z71 package, 1.5" lift pucks, 5100s, 9.5" SF from an H2 and fabbed rear arms (all 5). I built a bumper with an integrated hitch, so I dont have the factory distribution hitch anymore. My hitch is higher and closer to the frame, so the leverage is different on the suspension, but I did 0 math on that. I just built it, and it hasnt failed yet or gotten sketchy. I do have a trailer brake controller. We are factory wired for it, take advantage of it.
Realistically, I would be happier in a 2500 CCSB or at the very least, a 2500 Sub. The Tahoe short WB has never boned me, ever. And its rated to pull 8200 (4wd) with 6800 GVWR. Ive been over both those numbers a handful of times, not that I am proud of it, but I do have a 9.5" SF to help out with that. I tow slow, 55-60mph. My max trans temp has been 196 after a 16mi unlocked in 3rd climb on a 4L60, and I get 11-12mpg depending on hills. I just think a diesel would make a better tow rig and the Sub has more room for fuel and gear.
Depending on the distance traveled, I dont think you'll have a problem. My reservations are 1) its gonna be slow going (be smart, arrive alive) 2) 10 bolts scare me 3) fuel cap is limited, so range is like 150-200mi depending on conditions. 4) be smart about tongue weight, because the short WB could cause you trouble.
Happy towing! I think in the end itll be fine.
08-06-2018, 12:37 PM
#7
formerly projectLS10, 2014-09-01
Ive used my GF's 03 z71 Tahoe to tow multiple vehicles. Tows my rcsb and my mustang great. She has a 2/3 lowering kit but we also did helper bags and that thing pulls awesome with the bags. Even for a stock height vehicle the bags would make the world of a difference. She only has intake, muffler, efans, tune, and the stock 373s at the moment. We do plan on adding some more power and suspension in the future but she's not ready to sacrifice mpg's just yet lol. Yesterday we picked up a full weight mercury marauder, Had no complaints, got up to speed and held 60mph the whole ride home!!!
Last edited by NC03GT; 08-06-2018 at 12:39 PM. Reason: Add pics
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08-07-2018, 07:41 PM
#9
My enclosed trailer with my 72 in it is 7000+ lbs. Looks like I just need to get a RCLB 2500HD minimum. My RCSB will tow just about anything on my open trailer as long as I keep it around 50-55 MPH. Around 57-58, it gets a little sketchy. I want to be about to tow my enclosed trailer with 3500-4000 lbs of car in it with no issues.
08-08-2018, 10:45 AM
#10
formerly projectLS10, 2014-09-01
My friend towed an enclosed with his Yukon denali for years with his big block nova. But that car had A Lot of weight out of it so im sure that made a difference too