Weight Distribution Hitch Value

Hitch capacity does not equal what you can tow. Most of the time, the "tow rating" is not what a truck can truly handle. Most of the time, you meet the tongue rating on the hitch, the GVW of the truck, or the GAWR of the truck. But, towing a 7500 pound trailer with upwards to 1000lbs of tongue weight, you will want and need a WDH.

By the way, the hitch is probably the same used on all GMs of that age.

www.leantorv.com

I was told that using a weight distributing hitch will increase your tow capacity. Seems to be the case here. Is this correct?

No way no how!!!!

Not sure who put that hitch on that truck but your subject to what your truck states it could pull.. Other wise your burn it up in a hot minute...

This is due to radiator size, trans cooling, brakes, axle rates... etc..

You really want to know what you can tow?? You will suprised..

Load the truck with full tank of fuel and all yourself in the truck Go to a cat scale and get your seperate axle weights...

Then come back and post that # and the axles weights from your door tag.. Also post the maz weight reating of your tires at max cold pressure..

From there we can tell you exactly what you can tow...

OK. So if the towing capacity is 7500...and my rv is 6500....I guess It would squeak by? By the way - it does have a trani cooler installed.

What is the payload as stated on the sticker inside your driver door?

Bruce

6500 lb. trailer....is that the "dry" weight?
If so, it's too much for an 04 Tahoe.

IMHO, you can add, subtract, multiply, etc. all the numbers you want to, but you are not going to be happy pulling a trailer that heavy with a Tahoe, period.

@downtheroad...yes dry 6500.

@robsouth...I understand. So the bottom line is - in your opinion - the tow capacity of 7500 with trans cooler may work but would be a dog?

@lawrosa... cant really do much with the truck since its sitting on a dealer lot.
It does have trans cooler.

@nomad...specs:

http://www.seacoastchevrolet.com/VehicleDetails/used-2004-Chevrolet-Tahoe-4dr_1500_4WD_LS-Ocean_Township-NJ/2232494003

IMO that vehicle may be able to pull the 6500 lb trailer but you most likely will be over your weight limit of the axles once you load up..

So load 4 people, gear, and tongue weight of say low end 650 lbs..

So now going down the road at 60 mph with the family in the car the rear axle gets hot and welds itself together or breaks suddenly.. That could be catastrophic...

You cannot overload the vehicle.. I guess best you can do is get the payload rating off the door tag and post back here.. Thats paylad not trailer towing capacity..

Last I am in monmouth county. I would pass on that vehicle IMO.. I would be looking at 4 door pick ups if you are serious about towing a 6500 lbs trailer with the family...At least 3/4 ton...

I would agree on passing the Tahoe to tow that trailer. There is so much more than the tow rating that you need to be concerned with here.

There are some half ton truck options maybe, or even full size van options if you need the people carrying capacity. But if you're going used it probably wouldn't hurt to look at a 3/4 ton since the price difference probably won't be that much.