travelnman wrote:
Anyone pulling with a Tahoe with the 5.3/3.42 axel? Would like to have feedback regarding sway since it has a shorter wheel base is this a problem or does it pull the same as a Suburban or Expedition? Weight ratings seem the same as well as other considerations but proof is in actual towing experience. I have seen guys towing with Tahoes all though most are using pickups these days. Sure would appreciate some reaction to this ASAP, looking at a nice 2014 Chevy Tahoe for a good price with low miles. I'm pulling a 28 foot Keystone Springdale TT with a empty weight of 6.200lbs with a old Suburban which has seen its best days. Thanks for your help or reaction to this.
I have an older, though similar Tahoe that I USED to tow with. 2003 LT, I took out the back seats to reduce weight. Towed a Keystone Outback 25RSS, loaded except for 50 gallons of water was ~5900 pounds (scale weight), so about 6500 pounds total. WDH in use. Total combined weight was 11780 (also scale weight), below the GCWR of 13400 for the the Tahoe.
There was no problem with sway at all. Used the Tahoe for a cross country trip to Indiana and back one year, it towed fine. The issue that I had with the Tahoe was "porpoising" on certain concrete roadways; that bucking up/down for endless miles gets really tedious. Had to find the speed "sweet spot" where it was minimal.
Another problem was towing in the Colorado mountains. Loss of power and speed, it would downshift to 3rd and 2nd frequently. Now Tahoes are built to run at the higher revs, but after a while it gets old, dropping down to 20-25mph to go up a steep grade or mountain pass.
Fuel economy sucked as well. On that Indiana trip, mostly flat driving, I was lucky to get 9mpg. Had to stop for fuel every 200-225 miles. In the mountains, that would drop to 6-7mpg.
Still have the Tahoe. It's a great vehicle, one of the best I've ever had. And it would be fine for lighter weight towing, say no more than 5000 fully loaded. Perhaps a lighter weight would reduce the porpoising; don't know, never tried it. I just don't use it for towing any more.
Went with a 2007 GMC Sierra SLE 3500 Dually. Yes, it's probably overkill for the trailer that I still have, but it allows me to go to a bigger trailer at some point. Tows mountain grades/passes with ease, engine braking for descending, and fuel economy that's consistently 11-13mpg (mixed mountains-flats).
2007 GMC Sierra SLE 3500HD Dually
2016 Coachmen Catalina Legacy Edition 243RBS
2007 Keystone Outback 25RSS - R.I.P.
