Help Needed to pair new Tahoe w/ TT

DANSKIR wrote:
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: 116in
Towing capacity: 8,600 lbs.
length: 204in
rear axle ratio: 3.42
Gross 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 had almost the same setup on my truck this is what I did to be able to pull my TT that is only 6,500lbs loaded.
1. Changed the gear ratio in the rear end from a 3.08 to 3.73 which also requires a tuner to correct the shift patterns.
2. Bought and installed a Super Tuner FlashPaq to correct shift points back to stock.
3. Installed an additional tranny cooler for a total of 3 all together. May be overkill but on a 6,000 mile trip through the west coast in summer tranny never got over 175 degrees.
4. Changed tires on TV to a heavier load rated set.
5. A good quality weight distribution hitch and sway controls.
6. installed break controller and installed fuse in fuse box to charge TT batteries while I am towing.
I did all that to tow just 6,500lbs and it did just fine but I would not pull anything heavier without going up to a bigger truck. In my honest opinion you are over loading your current TV and pushing its limitations. I think you should look into a smaller TT if you have not already bought.
And the previous poster is correct never listen to the dealers they just want you money and that is it. Most of the dealers I went to kept telling me I could tow up to a 7,000 lbs fifth wheel with my truck in its stock form. And when they informed me of this I always called them on it because we both knew they where full of ****.

Another vote for a 3/4-ton crew cab with that trailer. Between the soft springs on the SUV and the weight of your passengers, gear, and trailer tongue you'll be over on your Tahoe gross weight. And it won't be a fun ride.

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 .

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

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.

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'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. :E

A 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.