How much can a Tahoe handle?

R

Russklan

New Member
Sep 22, 2012
16
Gulf Coast
Boat Info
1988 Sea Ray 250 Fisherman, 1978 Sea Star, 1981 Sea Arrow 190, 1980 Sea Arrow 180, 1975 Continental
Engines
260 Mercruiser
Hello everyone, I am just wondering if anyone here has used a Chevy Tahoe as a tow vehicle? We have a 1988 Sea Ray 250 and looking to down size my tow vehicle. Just not sure what the Tahoe can handle in the real world. I am looking for some feed back. Hope to hear from some. Have a great day.
 
So many variables its almost impossible to speculate. So, I'd say it can't. But that's based on zero info such as dry weight of your boat, weight of your trailer, brakes surge or electric, and the big one, year, engine, tow package of the Tahoe,,, but based on the info given I'd still say maybe
 
I towed our 87 250 DA with a 96 and a 99 3/4 ton Burb. Both had the 454 and it was adequate. I noticed the front end was very light and had to change shorts during a maneuver on wet pavement. It towed well except for that one issue. I couldn't imagine trying that with a Hoe! But it does have a shorter distance from the hitch to the rear wheels. That might help, but I still think it's only rated to around 8,000 lbs? My boat was around 8,500 lbs on the trailer. Add the kids, dog and wife and that's another 500 lbs in the tow vehicle. Better there than in the boat!
 
Pretty short wheel base for towing that amount of weight. Most everything else in the suspension should be like the suburban. Used a subrurban to tow my 1989 245 four winns vista, and it did a good job other than panic stops. Went to a chevy 2500 HD and that was better. I think rear springs were heavier. Good Luck
 
Friend of mine use to tow his 260 with a load distributing hitch and towing package. He uses a F350 now and travels quite a bit. I use a 3/4 ton 4x4 Excursion to tow my 270....much larger and heavier than the 260. My trailer is one ton empty but very nice. I would prefer a one ton truck for anything larger, Mike.
 
Where are you towing? From the house, through city streets never above 40mph to a boat ramp nearby? Or out on the road, highway speeds for some distance?

If I am towing at highway speeds - then I would want to stay at 80% rated capacity for an SUV. A surburban I might push up a little higher cause of the wheel base.

Someone mentioned above, wheel base is the issue. You have enough power to get it moving, I think about 60MPH on the highway, someone cuts in front of me - or slams on their brakes in front of me - how do I stop ( in a reasonably straight line ).

Through the city, different story. Just my two cents. Have towed too many times, way over weight limits. Once you feel that sickening feeling of realizing you cant stop the rig very well - kinda makes you think.
 
BTW.....most boat trailers do not have a ton of tongue weight due to the engines and fuel/water/waste are all at the stern. Mine is maybe 7% to 10% at most. I know my trailer has two axle positions....one for a single engine boat and one for a twin engine boat. It's all about balance and good springs. Torsion axles are not for heavy boats! I have them on a nice 20ft 7500 gvw enclosed cargo trailer and they ride nice but do not distribute weight well. One axle always bears a burden if you get on uneven ground/pavement. I have two 6,000lbs springed axles on the boat trailer and it tows perfect, Mike.
 
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MonacoMike said:
Tonya, there is no way that is correct for a Tahoe, that exceeds my 05 3/4 ton Suburban. (Same model style)

MM
Click to expand...

It is correct.... I am in the process of looking for a new boat and basing it on what I can tow. Here's a picture from hitch:

hitch3.jpg
 
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Tonka, you can't go by the hitch. That's the same hitch that's used on 3/4 Ton Sub's and Truck's. You have to go by what's in your manual.

Russklan - you'll have to check the specs for the Tahoe you're thinking of. Are you looking at a brand new one, or a used one? How is it equipped?

That being said, the CF will probably give you a towing weight of somewhere in the 6500lb range. From my experience with older and newer Tahoes... For an older Tahoe - that's about it. For a newer one, it's getting close to the "comfortable" limit.

Do you have brakes on all axles? Be sure they're working properly.
 
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Tonka, here is the page from the Tahoe/Suburban manual. If it is 4wd it is rated to tow a 6500-7800 lbs. trailer depending on engine and axle ratio. Dennis is correct in the information in his post. It says "hitch rating" in the top left corner of your photo and "Tow vehicle maximum trailer rating may be less" in the bottom left corner.

MM

8833cba1a242715aeeb68afc8ae78039_zpsf02630cb.jpg
 
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Lazy Daze said:
Tonka, you can't go by the hitch. That's the same hitch that's used on 3/4 Ton Sub's and Truck's. You have to go by what's in your manual.

Russklan - you'll have to check the specs for the Tahoe you're thinking of. Are you looking at a brand new one, or a used one? How is it equipped?

That being said, the CF will probably give you a towing weight of somewhere in the 6500lb range. From my experience with older and newer Tahoes... For an older Tahoe - that's about it. For a newer one, it's getting close to the "comfortable" limit.

Do you have brakes on all axles? Be sure they're working properly.
Click to expand...

I have a 2004 Chevy Tahoe Z71 and per the manual the maximum towing capacity is 7,400 lbs with the hitch rated at 5,000 lbs as noted above. All Tahoe's of this vintage have a max of 7,400 lbs.
 
Its not about what you can move down the road - its about what you can stop in a controlled fashion.

Only impact of Engine HP - is whether or not towing weight will damage the engine - not safety related.

LOL - "thoughts of the towing fanantic"
 
Tonka Boater said:
What year is your Tahoe? I have a 2004 Tahoe and here are my ratings:

Weight Carrying: 5,000 lbs / 600 lb tongue weight
Weight Distributing: 12,000 lbs / 1,500 lb tongue weight

I'm looking to get a weight distribution system for my next boat such as this.....

http://www.etrailer.com/Weight-Distribution/Pro-Series/PS49903.html
Click to expand...

Tonka Boater said:
I have a 2004 Chevy Tahoe Z71 and per the manual the maximum towing capacity is 7,400 lbs with the hitch rated at 5,000 lbs as noted above. All Tahoe's of this vintage have a max of 7,400 lbs.
Click to expand...

I thought we were discussing a Tahoe rated at 12,000 lbs.???
 
I had a 2003 Yukon with the trailering extras and 5.3. It's towing capacity was a little under 8,000#. I towed my 270 Sundeck on an Eagle tri-axle. I never weighed it but figure I was right at max rated capacity, maybe a pinch over. It did a great job in all respects but I wouldn't have towed anything heavier with it.
 
MonacoMike said:
I thought we were discussing a Tahoe rated at 12,000 lbs.???
Click to expand...

The hitch can handle up 12,000 lbs with a weight distribution package like the one I linked to in my post. Even with a WDP the truck can only handle 7,400 lbs as this is what Tahoe's are rated for.

I only mentioned the 12,000 lbs because I was quoting what is on my hitch sticker....as noted in my picture.
 
GCWR is the total weight of both the trailer and the vehicle pulling it. I dont think there is a Tahoe that I would put in front of a 12K trailer weight.
 
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