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jdmogg's avatar
jdmogg
Explorer
May 31, 2017

Tahoe RPMs

I am driving a 2011 Tahoe with a 5.3 litre engine. I am not sure of the rear end. I have the six speed manual transmission. I am pulling a Keystone travel trailer. 4800 lbs empty. I am running in fourth gear at 2500 rpm and 65 mph. It seems to run pretty good like this on fairly flat ground and with little wind. Am I running too many rpms or does this seem normal. Thanks
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  • Lwiddis's avatar
    Lwiddis
    Explorer II
    May 31, 2017
    "I am running in fourth gear at 2500 rpm and 65 mph."

    Sounds good to me....on my third Tahoe..'01, '07 and now '15.
  • time2roll's avatar
    time2roll
    Nomad
    May 31, 2017
    Too much? More like barely enough. 2500 is on the low side but OK on the flats.
    You may want to be 3200 to 4800 climbing or descending a hill.
    Peak torque is probably close to 4000 rpm and is good all day long.
  • IBcarguy's avatar
    IBcarguy
    Explorer
    May 31, 2017
    2500 RPM at 65mph sounds too good to be true. That is below the 5.3s power curve and just loafing. Those motors are built to make power at a much higher rpm. On hills, let it downshift and rev up to maintain a decent speed.
  • kw_00's avatar
    kw_00
    Explorer
    Jun 01, 2017
    Normal, RPMs are ur friend when pulling. So in the hills, drop a gear and go. Your engine can run all day at higher rpm.
  • jdmogg's avatar
    jdmogg
    Explorer
    Jun 01, 2017
    It is a six speed automatic transmission but it has a manual mode.
  • drsteve's avatar
    drsteve
    Explorer
    Jun 01, 2017
    jdmogg wrote:
    It is a six speed automatic transmission but it has a manual mode.


    Put it in tow/haul mode and let it do it's thing. 2500 rpm is just fine.

    This page shows the RPO codes for the various rear end ratios in GM vehicles. Look at the sticker in your glovebox and match the code to find out what your Tahoe has.

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