Need advice on upgrades.

Don't tow over vehicles ratings...mainly axle/tire weight ratings

Trans cooler

New shocks

Suspension upgraded to help keep rear end from sagging

Good Weight Distribution Hitch


BUT NOTHING is going to INCREASE tow capacity.
It is what it is

From experience, owned a 2002 Tahoe, you will not like towing anything over about 7000 pounds no matter what you do its just not a great towing platform.

Old-Biscuit wrote:
Don't tow over vehicles ratings...mainly axle/tire weight ratings

Disagree - mainly payload capacity, or more correctly lack thereof. Exceed that and the OP is sure to also exceed axle ratings as well, especially rear axle.

donn0128 wrote:
From experience, owned a 2002 Tahoe, you will not like towing anything over about 7000 pounds no matter what you do its just not a great towing platform.

The OP hasn't mentioned axle ratio at all but if it's GM's ubiquitous 3.42 he ought to be thinking more along the lines of 5000 lbs loaded & ready to camp, certainly no more than 6000 lbs ... just as I have for the last dozen years with 3 different GM trucks, all with 3.42 axles.

You can mod all you want and it will improve, but not enough.
BTDT with my 99 with 3.73 gears and tons of mods including 20" wheels (way better handling).

Bottom line is truck is too short, too light and too weak to safely handle over 5000 lbs especially if there is any mountain driving. A 7000 lb TT will man handle your Tahoe and you will hate it.

All good advice from experienced folks above: Answer - not much.

Not mentioned is to upgrade your tires from "P" (passenger) rated tires to "LT" (light truck) tires. This won't increase your towing capacity but will help with handling.

All good advice so far. The camper my wife and I were looking at is a little under 5000 pounds. So from what I see I should be ok as long as I don’t get any bigger. We won’t be doing any mountain drivin or cross country hauls anytime soon.

There are a few mods that may improve your handling, however, none will increase the vehicles ratings / capacities.

Here is a link to a calculator that may help in your search.

Forget about that 7700 lb tow rating. It was calculated without aftermarket accessories, passengers, pets, or cargo. That's NOT how people go camping. We load up the whole family with associated coolers and luggage. Soon as you add weight in, or on, the tow vehicle, it no longer has that advertised tow capacity.

Tires and gearing (both depending on what you have now of course) are the most cost effective upgrades I think. And at that age, a general refresher of the suspension like shocks and steering wear items would help.

SoundGuy wrote:

Old-Biscuit wrote:
Don't tow over vehicles ratings...mainly axle/tire weight ratings

Disagree - mainly payload capacity, or more correctly lack thereof. Exceed that and the OP is sure to also exceed axle ratings as well, especially rear axle.

You can exceed payload WITHOUT exceeding axle ratings and/or tire load ratings

Payload is a 'number' based on MFGs GVWR and is NOT a legal issue here in the USA

SO stay under the DOT legal limits....axle/tire ratings.....and good to go