--------------------------------------------------------------------------------Hail totaled our 2011 Jayco 26BH last summer, then oldest daughter decided to go to nursing school so good old Dad got rid of his 2011 Silverado 2500HD crew cab 4x4 6 liter, (gosh I miss that truck) to help her through school. Daughter quits school, Dad out tuition and his truck. My wife on the other hand faired pretty well with the whole ordeal. Traded her new Camry in on a 2012 Tahoe LTZ 4x4 (she loves it). That all being said, we are now expecting our first grandchild and looking for a replacement camper. Common sense says we should find something our Tahoe will pull comfortably with 3 adults, 2 Golden Retrievers, and a carseat with cargo in it. I on the other hand drove a 2015 Silverado 3500HD crew cab 4x4 6 liter long bed the other day, fell in love with it. Before I go and drop $45K on a new truck (wife will be keeping her Tahoe) is there anyone out there towing with a similar Tahoe and what are your experiences/thoughts with your rig and camper?I loved how my HD towed with ease and confidence and know I will not have that same level with the Tahoe. Thanks in advance and looking forward to the experiences of bringing my grandchild camping!

Keep your towing weight under 7000 pounds and your length under about 22-23 feet. The short wheel base of the Tahoe can create a squirrely situation with much longer trailers or heavier loads.

I have 2 Tahoes now (just traded the 3rd one). Pull trailers with all of them. For a 2012 model I would recommend the following:- Factory HD Tow Equipped keep the loaded TT below 7k#- non HD Tow Equipped stay below 5k# loaded

Defiantly stay below 6,000 pounds MAX!! The lower the better. Trust me on this I went over this on my 2011 Yukon XL Denali and it was bad, so bad that after 2 camping trips I had a bigger truck to tow it with.

Our family is close to yours, 3 adults and a lil one (soon to be 9), except we have a 3.8lb dog. My hybrid is doing OK for me until I get the funds for a bigger TV. Hybrids are not for everyone.

First, find out that Tahoe has the HD trailing package and 3.42 axle. If not, the tow rating is in the 5000 pound range. Check the RPO sticker in the glove box for GU6 and K5L. If you have GU4, I'm sorry. :(Ok, so let's say she has the HD towing package: 3 adults, dogs, an infant in a loaded (LTZ) half ton will run out of payload before the 1000 pound receiver limit or the 8000-ish pound tow rating. Check driver's door for the Tire and Loading sticker listing max combined weight of occupants and cargo. Subtract estimated weight of your three adults and dogs and baby plus another 200 pounds of diaper bag, stroller, toys, etc. :) Then multiply by 6 for a good dry weight to stay under.

Tahoe Tow Vehicle, Trailer Recommendations | Good Sam Community

donn0128
Explorer II
Apr 10, 2014
Keep your towing weight under 7000 pounds and your length under about 22-23 feet. The short wheel base of the Tahoe can create a squirrely situation with much longer trailers or heavier loads.
hmknightnc
Explorer
Apr 10, 2014
I have 2 Tahoes now (just traded the 3rd one). Pull trailers with all of them. For a 2012 model I would recommend the following:
- Factory HD Tow Equipped keep the loaded TT below 7k#
- non HD Tow Equipped stay below 5k# loaded
Kordog
Explorer
Apr 10, 2014
Defiantly stay below 6,000 pounds MAX!! The lower the better. Trust me on this I went over this on my 2011 Yukon XL Denali and it was bad, so bad that after 2 camping trips I had a bigger truck to tow it with.
ChooChooMan74
Explorer
Apr 10, 2014
Our family is close to yours, 3 adults and a lil one (soon to be 9), except we have a 3.8lb dog. My hybrid is doing OK for me until I get the funds for a bigger TV. Hybrids are not for everyone.
APT
Explorer
Apr 10, 2014
First, find out that Tahoe has the HD trailing package and 3.42 axle. If not, the tow rating is in the 5000 pound range. Check the RPO sticker in the glove box for GU6 and K5L. If you have GU4, I'm sorry. :(

Ok, so let's say she has the HD towing package: 3 adults, dogs, an infant in a loaded (LTZ) half ton will run out of payload before the 1000 pound receiver limit or the 8000-ish pound tow rating. Check driver's door for the Tire and Loading sticker listing max combined weight of occupants and cargo. Subtract estimated weight of your three adults and dogs and baby plus another 200 pounds of diaper bag, stroller, toys, etc. :) Then multiply by 6 for a good dry weight to stay under.
soren
Explorer
Apr 10, 2014
donn0128 wrote:
Keep your towing weight under 7000 pounds and your length under about 22-23 feet. The short wheel base of the Tahoe can create a squirrely situation with much longer trailers or heavier loads.

Having towed at least 50K miles with a 26' travel trailer behind two different Tahoes, I can say your advice is too conservative. With a proper hitch (Dual-Cam or Equal-I-Zer)and a properly set up Tahoe, (IMHO LT tires and rear air bags are a must), there is no reason to limit the TT length to 23'. In my case the trailer was 4600lbs UVW and in all those years of dragging it, I had zero issues with handling.

To the OP, you will love towing a reasonable sized trailer with a Tahoe. I have been towing since the 90s, with about everything imaginable and by far, the Tahoes are my favorite.
campigloo
Explorer
Apr 10, 2014
What a sad story, but sometimes sad stories open new doors. Towing? Give yourself a treat; diesel.
NCMODELA
Explorer
Apr 12, 2014
APT, I like that quick formula. But why add the 200 for toys etc. Into the vehicle calculation when most of that can go into the trailer?
wandering1
Explorer
Apr 12, 2014
donn0128 wrote:
Keep your towing weight under 7000 pounds and your length under about 22-23 feet. The short wheel base of the Tahoe can create a squirrely situation with much longer trailers or heavier loads.

Ditto. Not enough TV to control the trailer. Many have turned over because TV could not control the sway and fishtailing.
APT
Explorer
Apr 13, 2014
200 pounds was just my estimate. While people can put most things in the trailer, they don't. People need things and activities to entertain while traveling. Child seats, diaper bags, etc. And children grow.