Hello,We have a 2013 Chevy Tahoe Z-71 2 wheel drive with the 5.3 engine. We are looking to buy a larger travel trailer (currently pulling a pop up). We are looking at a Forest River Cherokee Grey Wolf 23DBH. From what I understand this is a 23' box with an overall length of 29' (1 slide). The dry weight is 5,380 lbs. Everyone at the dealership says the Tahoe will pull it. But I would like some input to see if this will be a safe and enjoyable towing experience, or if it will be a fight all the way. The trailer does have dual axles and I will buy the weight distribution hitch and have an electric brake controller.We plan to make several 500 mile round trips per year, with some hilly terrain. If this trailer is too big, what is the largest you recommend? I have included the specs from the dealer website on the 23DBH below.Thanks,ShaneGVWR 7621 lb.Hitch Weight 621 lbUVW 5380 lb.CCC 2241 lb.Exterior Length 29' 1"Exterior Height 10' 6"Exterior Width 97"

You need to get the details of your tow vehicle---look up its tow rating and cargo capacity.You will probably add about 1500 lb to the trailer, over the UVW. So say 7000 for a generous margin. you can cut that down if you travel really light. The tongue weight of the trailer should be 10-15% of the loaded trailer weight--so 700 to 1000 lb. That becomes part of the cargo of your tow vehicle. Then you must have enough cargo capacity left for people & their stuff. Do the math and see if you have enough cargo capacity. You will definitely need some sway control, so include that in your hitch plans.

“The dry weight is 5,380 lbs. Everyone at the dealership says the Tahoe will pull it.“I wouldn’t with my Tahoe. Six thousand pounds overall is my selfset limit. Then I move to a 3/4 ton truck. Wheelbase and payload are other concerns.

And the hitch alone will be 50 pounds off your payload.

What axle ratio does your Tahoe have? Do you have the optional tow package? Or just the standard towing equipment?

I towed a similar sized trailer with an 03 Tahoe for many miles, and while I never had any issues with it I always felt like it was on the edges of steering and stopping capacity. I've since upgraded to a 2500HD diesel, and while that is gross overkill for my trailer (I was planning to upgrade that too) I find it way less tiring to drive long distance with, and I get better fuel economy. The main thing to be careful of with the Tahoe is to use a good wdh and sway control, and be very careful not to exceed the rear axle and hitch ratings. It wouldn't hurt to add a transmission cooler even if you have the tow package. I found the Tekonsha P3 with factory adapter harness to work great.

2013 Chevy Tahoe / Forest River Cherokee Grey Wolf 23DBH

coolmom42
Explorer II
Jul 08, 2018
You need to get the details of your tow vehicle---look up its tow rating and cargo capacity.

You will probably add about 1500 lb to the trailer, over the UVW. So say 7000 for a generous margin. you can cut that down if you travel really light. The tongue weight of the trailer should be 10-15% of the loaded trailer weight--so 700 to 1000 lb. That becomes part of the cargo of your tow vehicle. Then you must have enough cargo capacity left for people & their stuff. Do the math and see if you have enough cargo capacity.

You will definitely need some sway control, so include that in your hitch plans.
Lwiddis
Explorer II
Jul 08, 2018
“The dry weight is 5,380 lbs. Everyone at the dealership says the Tahoe will pull it.“

I wouldn’t with my Tahoe. Six thousand pounds overall is my selfset limit. Then I move to a 3/4 ton truck. Wheelbase and payload are other concerns.
Lwiddis
Explorer II
Jul 08, 2018
And the hitch alone will be 50 pounds off your payload.
ktosv
Explorer
Jul 08, 2018
What axle ratio does your Tahoe have?

Do you have the optional tow package? Or just the standard towing equipment?
bartlettj
Explorer
Jul 08, 2018
I towed a similar sized trailer with an 03 Tahoe for many miles, and while I never had any issues with it I always felt like it was on the edges of steering and stopping capacity. I've since upgraded to a 2500HD diesel, and while that is gross overkill for my trailer (I was planning to upgrade that too) I find it way less tiring to drive long distance with, and I get better fuel economy. The main thing to be careful of with the Tahoe is to use a good wdh and sway control, and be very careful not to exceed the rear axle and hitch ratings. It wouldn't hurt to add a transmission cooler even if you have the tow package. I found the Tekonsha P3 with factory adapter harness to work great.
demolitionman13
Explorer
Jul 09, 2018
Thank you all for your suggestions and feedback. Our Tahoe has the 3.08 axle and the hitch is rated for 10,000 lbs trailer weight and 1,000 lbs tongue weight. It looks like I need to find a lighter trailer. Do you think I would be ok with something similar length and lighter weight, like 4,000 lbs dry? That would keep the total at around 5,000 loaded. We are looking to buy a new trailer and not change the tow vehicle for some time. So I would like to get the nicest and largest trailer we can safely pull.

Thanks,
Shane
bikendan
Explorer
Jul 09, 2018
demolitionman13 wrote:
Thank you all for your suggestions and feedback. Our Tahoe has the 3.08 axle and the hitch is rated for 10,000 lbs trailer weight and 1,000 lbs tongue weight. It looks like I need to find a lighter trailer. Do you think I would be ok with something similar length and lighter weight, like 4,000 lbs dry? That would keep the total at around 5,000 loaded. We are looking to buy a new trailer and not change the tow vehicle for some time. So I would like to get the nicest and largest trailer we can safely pull.

Thanks,
Shane

the hitch receiver(not hitch)rating of 10,000lbs is for the receiver alone, NOT for what your Tahoe can tow. GM puts that same receiver on many different GM vehicles that all have different tow ratings.
i owned a Chevy Avalanche which had the same receiver. its actual tow rating was nowhere near 10,000lbs.
APT
Explorer
Jul 10, 2018
With some modifications, I would tow up to about 5000 pounds dry. GM says the tow rating increased by 500 pounds with the 3.42 axle and another 2500 pounds with the HD towing package (mainly the HD trans cooler). The 6-spd trans you have gives you better towing performance than the older generation 4-spd with 4.10 axle. Get a HD trans cooler, WDH with integrated sway control, use tow haul mode and M4. You'll be comfortable with reasonable performance.
demolitionman13
Explorer
Jul 10, 2018
That sounds good. Thank you very much!
t-smith
Explorer
Jul 13, 2018
You are probably rated for around 8100lbs towing. I had a 2003 1500 long bed with the 3.42 rear end, and I towed a Grey Wolf 28bh. The weight of the 28bh is basically the same as yours.
With a weight-distribution hitch, the truck had no issues pulling the camper around (Ohio).

However, I did take it down to TN and over to MD and back. It wasn't fun. 2nd gear up the mountains and 35-40mph.

So, if you are towing in a flat or moderately hilly area, you are fine. Otherwise, consider something with a 6 speed tranny.

Forum Discussion

2013 Chevy Tahoe / Forest River Cherokee Grey Wolf 23DBH

About Travel Trailer Group

Related Content

Forester 2861 - Chevy Chassis

Forester by Forest River

Grand Cherokee

5.3l chevy to 6.0l chevy

Forest River Sunseeker/Forester owners