Hey Guys,I'm a newbie here. Looking to purchase a TT and TV really soon. Given all the towing horror stories going around, I'm very apprehensive about subjecting my wife and 2 small kids to anything that might be dangerous. Of course, the dealerships and reps are all telling me I'm completely in the clear. I've read through countless posts trying to confirm this is a safe pairing but can't find anything completely on point. I could really use some expert advice on whether this pairing is a bad idea before I pull the trigger.I'm looking to buy a 2017 Chevy Tahoe w/ Max Trailering package that comes with INTEGRATED TRAILER BRAKE CONTROLLER. Here are the Chevy Tahoe specs:engine: 5.3L EcoTec3 V8 wheelbase: 116inTowing capacity: 8,600 lbs.length: 204inrear axle ratio: 3.42Gross Combined Weight Rating: 14,000 lbs.Rear Axle Rating: 4300 lbs.Actual unloaded weight (only driver and gas): 3408 lbs.Dry Weight: 5356 lbs.The TT we're looking at is the Forest River Wildcat Maxx lite T265BHX. Here are the specs:GVWR: 7828 lbs.Hitch Weight: 828 lbs.UVW: 6496 lbs.CCC: 1332 lbs.Exterior Length: 31' 8" The TT dealership is talking about installing the Fastway E2 distribution hitch.Whats the verdict? Anyone heard of that hitch? any recommendations to make it safer? Or, is this a dangerous pairing? Thanks so much for the help.

I've been towing for 10 yrs with GM's ubiquitous 5.3L coupled to a non-tow friendly 3.42 axle and although the newer narrow ratio 6 spd transmission is much more flexible for towing than my older wide ratio 4 spd and does make up to some degree for that 3.42 I personally wouldn't tow a trailer anywhere near this heavy with this truck. 6000 lbs loaded and ready to camp is about as much as I'd tow with my Avalanche, perhaps a bit more if it had the newer 6 spd, but certainly not as much as this trailer would weigh ready to camp. As always with any 1/2 ton payload capacity (or more correctly lack thereof) will be your limiting factor.With a UVW of 6500 lbs that trailer won't weigh any less than 7500 lbs loaded and ready to camp, probably closer to 8000 lbs with a family of four and all the junk families tend to drag along with them. Gross tongue weight could therefore easily run 1000 to 1100 lbs, seriously cutting into the truck's payload capacity and limiting what else you can carry - people and cargo. In reference to the truck you said - "Actual unloaded weight (only driver and gas): 3408 lbs" but I have no idea what this means :h as this truck will certainly weigh a LOT more than that, I'd guess closer to 5700 lbs. Tough to do with a truck you don't own but the solution is to go weigh it with a full tank of gas. Allow an additional 100 lbs for any hitch equipment you may use, if you're in it at the time subtract your weight from the scale reading and you'll have the truck's curb weight as it sits there ready to be hitched to a trailer. Subtract that number from it's GVWR which is listed on the driver side door jamb sticker and you'll have it's actual payload capacity, that which you will use to account for the weight of everyone and all additional cargo. What's left is what you will use to account for trailer tongue weight transferred to the truck - exceed that and you're certain to exceed it's GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating). Believe it - you won't come anywhere near to that 14,000 lb GCWR without easily exceeding the truck's actual payload capacity. :EA wheelbase of just 116" is IMO way too short for towing a trailer of this size and although the E2 is a reasonable WD for some I suspect you'd want to go with at least an Equal-i-zer (big brother to the E2), Blue Ox Sway Pro, Reese Dual Cam, etc. In fact, wheelbase of this vehicle might even justify the expense of a Hensley Arrow or ProPride 3P to keep that trailer properly under control at all times under all road & weather conditions. JMO, but a crew cab truck such as a Silverado with a much longer wheelbase would be a far better solution for towing than this Tahoe you're considering.

In short, too much trailer for your tahoe. What is the max payload figure from the yellow sticker on the drivers door jamb? That's your limiting factor. However, the tahoe with its short wheelbase and soft suspension would be overwhelmed by a 31' TT. You asked about being dangerous, yes that pairing would be in my opinion, and that's not even getting into weights. With your family of 4 and all your gear, I'm pretty confident you'll be over your payload rating. If you want the tahoe, you need to select a shorter and lighter trailer. 6500 gvwr or less (trailer) preferably 6k max gvwr. Again, just my opinion. My trailer is 6k gvwr and the 15 Silverado 5.3/3.42 pulled it great, but loaded for a weeks camping trip, i only had about 300 lbs of payload left, and my limit was 1704lbs. Likely higher than the tahoe your looking at. Honestly I'd not have wanted that much trailer behind my Silverado. Good luck.

I have to agree with Soundguy. I have a 2014 1500, 3:42, 6 speed trans, rawr is 3950 with combined 15000 weight rating. Trailer is 30' and 6500-6800lbs. A trip to the scales put me at 12800lbs range combined loaded and ready to camp. I am comfortable pulling with this combination although I have managed to be on a couple hills where I almost ran out of gas pedal. Sure, that Tahoe will "pull" that trailer, but I think you will quickly become dissatisfied with it. It will underperform and you will be at the top edge of control in my opinion. Tail wagging the dog situation.Plus, you want LT tires on the tow vehicle and a min. load rating of "D" on the trailer tires. Pay attention to that.

You are in a better position than most, You have not bought anything yet. Its all about the payload, figure that out and you will have the answer. The closer to the limits the less desirable the tow, I would say if you are not over the payload the experience will not be great. It may sound crazy but look at a 2500 Chevy crew cab and have no worries moving forward. I towed a 34 foot 8500lb trailer fully loaded for 5 years with a half ton and just upgraded to a 2500 world of difference

Just a reminder , do NOT let any dealer influence your decision , they will tell you what you want to hear and they do not have a clue regarding real life towing situations . They simply just want to make a sale .

Help Needed to pair new Tahoe w/ TT | Good Sam Community

Ugly04
Explorer
Feb 15, 2017
Hitch wise I would recommend the Blue Ox Sway PRO. I used an Equalizer brand hitch for 10 years and when I bought our Jayflight this year I also bought the Blue Ox hitch. I would say that it is superior in every aspect over the Equalizer. It is very simple to set up and adjust and much quiter. Also if you upgrade trailers later and need a heavier or lower rated hitch you can just swap out the bars. The head works with all of them. Not the case with the Equalizer.
APT
Explorer
Feb 15, 2017
Your limits are payload and receiver ratings. As Equipped payload is listed on the Tire and loading sticker. Note what is listed for Maximum combined weight of occupants and cargo.

Receiver is rated at 1000 pounds of TW when using a WDH. That's about 7000 pound loaded TT.
jerem0621
Explorer II
Feb 15, 2017
I'd go for the longer wheelbase Suburban. I am a believer in wheelbase for a long trailer TV. I personally would limit myself to about a 25ft trailer with the Tahoe.

Towed a 32 ft TT with a short wheel base Expedition...NEVER AGAIN.

Just a few inches longer with my 1997 F150 and it was so much better and more relaxed.

as far as power the Sub and the Tahoe both have plenty. About 360 ish? Makes my 225HP my F150 had sound puny. (Which it was).

Here is the key to towing with a gas truck. Use the skinny pedal and mash it down. If you have to gear down the transmission when climbing hills then so be it. In other words, let the motor spin. My old 5.4 and 6.8 V10 would sometimes see 5,000 rpm for extended periods of time climbing mountains. No worries...that's what they are designed to do. Just don't be shocked when the motor goes to 4,500 RPM or so....it's not struggling..it working...something these 360 HP monsters do not have to do just carting around soccer balls and groceries. Let it work...it will be fine.

As far as the WD hitch is concerned... I'm old school and use a ProSeries round bar WD hitch and add on friction sway controls. No problems, just set them up right. Just like any other hitch.... and use two sway controls.

Thanks!

Jeremiah
SoundGuy
Explorer
Feb 15, 2017
DANSKIR wrote:
I found another TT brand/model that we like and was hoping you would all chime in on this one too: the Passport Elite Grand Touring 2670BHWE. Dry weight is around 5200 lbs. Exterior length is still a bit long at 30'4". hitch weight is 624.

That does everyone think? still too big? which hitch would you recommend?

Better as far as the trailer is concerned but none of this addresses the Tahoe's shortcomings as a tow vehicle, particularly it's short wheelbase of just 116". As for WD, I too towed for years with an Equal-i-zer, haven't owned a Sway Pro but am quite familiar with how it works, and would agree the Sway Pro is the preferred choice between the two as it addresses pretty well all the shortcomings of the Equal-i-zer which is noisy in operation, requires torque wrenches which you likely don't have to properly set up (and later readjust), is a pain to reset the head angle washers, and requires complete replacement if you later decide to go to a heavier or lighter trailer. The Sway Pro however does use chains and for some that's a show stopper itself compared to the Equal-i-zer which has no chains at all. Personal choice, both will do an admirable job. :B That said, if you still insist on that short wheelbasse Tahoe I'd suggest you seriously considering investing in a much more costly Hensley Arrow or ProPride 3P, both of which are designed to eliminate sway before it even starts whereas pretty well every other system simply dampens sway.
SoundGuy
Explorer
Feb 15, 2017
To the OP, perhaps this article discussing Trailer Towing vs Tow Vehicle Wheelbase will help clarify the issues involved. Opinions vary of course as to how strictly one should stick to a guideline like this but it nonetheless does point out just how inadequate a Tahoe's short 116" wheelbase is for towing a ~ 30' travel trailer. With any trailer this size you really should be looking at a crew cab style of truck with a much longer wheelbase. JMO.
totaldla
Explorer
Feb 15, 2017
SoundGuy wrote:
To the OP, perhaps this article discussing Trailer Towing vs Tow Vehicle Wheelbase will help clarify the issues involved. Opinions vary of course as to how strictly one should stick to a guideline like this but it nonetheless does point out just how inadequate a Tahoe's short 116" wheelbase is for towing a ~ 30' travel trailer. With any trailer this size you really should be looking at a crew cab style of truck with a much longer wheelbase. JMO.

I'm sorry, but the blog was hardly definitive - just some guys opinion.
PAThwacker
Explorer
Feb 15, 2017
Do not get the Tahoe. That's a grocery store and boat hauling truck. Sub 1500. Daycare mobiles. 3/4 crew cabs: family camping trucks.
3/4 subs 2001 to 2006 desirable. 2007 on up limiting hitch.
SoundGuy
Explorer
Feb 15, 2017
SoundGuy wrote:
To the OP, perhaps this article discussing Trailer Towing vs Tow Vehicle Wheelbase will help clarify the issues involved. Opinions vary of course as to how strictly one should stick to a guideline like this but it nonetheless does point out just how inadequate a Tahoe's short 116" wheelbase is for towing a ~ 30' travel trailer.

totaldla wrote:
I'm sorry, but the blog was hardly definitive - just some guys opinion.

No need to be sorry, I did say "opinions vary of course ...". I also said "JMO" ... perhaps you missed it. :W

Regardless of whether you agree with the specific numbers the point is towing an especially long 30'+ trailer with a short wheelbase vehicle like that Tahoe the OP wants to use is an invitation for a tail wagging the dog situation ... funny with a dog I suppose but not funny at all when towing several tons of travel trailer. ;)
DANSKIR
Explorer
Feb 15, 2017
Unfortunately getting a truck isnt an option. This is going to be the wife's grocery car. It has to be an SUV and the tahoe seems to be the most bang for the buck. I'm concerned about the wheelbase issue. If we get a good anti-sway hitch, will that improve the situation?
DANSKIR
Explorer
Feb 15, 2017
I'm conflicted about this wheelbase issue because I've read on other pages/ forums that It isnt really an issue at all. Not to discount what soundguy is saying but I'm so new to this its difficult to know whether its sufficient of a concern to change the TT. Whats the consensus? Will a good hitch resolve it?

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