Tahoe & Suburban The power, space, and brutal towing ability make the Tahoe and its longer sibling, the Suburban, arguably the best full size SUV's on the market today.

2013 Chevrolet Suburban
Platform: GMT 400, 800, 900

Tahoe vs Suburban Towing 'feel'.

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old February 5th, 2021, 3:00 PM
  #1  
D M
CF Beginner
Thread Starter
 
D M's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2021
Posts: 2
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Question Tahoe vs Suburban Towing 'feel'.

Hello, I'm new, but looked around but couldn't find an answer.
Currently I have a 2016 Chevy Tahoe LT, with the towing package. Previously I had a 2014 Chevy Silverado with the towing package. I also have a 25 ft Travel Trailer that I used to tow with the Silverado, and now with the Tahoe. The Tahoe works 'fine' for towing, but I definitely think that the Silverado 'felt' better when towing. You're going to ask what do you mean by that, and I'm not totally sure I can answer that. I certainly didn't feel as much effects from wind or semi trucks going by and it just felt easier, but it's hard for me to quantify more than that. But, I learned that I wasn't a Truck guy, I was an SUV guy and while the Silverado is a great truck, I just love my Tahoe more.

My wife would like to go on some long distance camping trips, like to the Grand Canyon which is 1,000 miles away. I think the Tahoe could make it, but I don't know how well it would do vs the Silverado where towing felt easier. Being an SUV lover, does anyone have an opinion on whether a Suburban would 'feel' better with towing with its increased size. I know the max towing weight, and axle ratios, and all of that are a factor in towing, but those numbers are very close with a Tahoe and a Suburban. For comparisons sake assume either a 2016 Tahoe + 2016 Suburban or a 2021 Tahoe + 2021 Suburban.

Thanks!!

Old February 5th, 2021, 10:19 PM
  #2  
Super Moderator
 
tech2's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 9,165
Received 509 Likes on 469 Posts
Default

longer wheelbase of a sub would help reduce sway.
The following users liked this post:
D M (February 7th, 2021)
Old February 6th, 2021, 9:31 PM
  #3  
CF Pro Member
 
intheburbs's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: SE MI
Posts: 997
Likes: 0
Received 21 Likes on 19 Posts
Default

Longer wheelbase directly translates to a smoother, safer, and more stable tow. I had a similar opportunity to compare back-to-back, my Suburban and my Sierra Denali. The Denali has a 14-inch longer wheelbase, but the Suburban is 1000 lbs heavier. Which would do better towing a 6x12 enclosed single-axle trailer weighing ~4000 lbs?

No comparison - the Denali was a much smoother and stable tow. Wheelbase trumps everything else.

If upgrading your vehicle is not an option, a Hensley Arrow or ProPride will make a huge difference. They both eliminate sway.
The following users liked this post:
D M (February 7th, 2021)
Old February 7th, 2021, 5:02 AM
  #4  
CF Beginner
 
monstershow's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Northern Michigan
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 2 Posts
Default

Tires also make a big difference. I had an F150 that came with essentially passenger tires. Load range B I believe. I changed to load range E and the ride while towing was much better. I really did not notice a stiffer or harsher ride while not towing. The load range E tires take out a lot of rear end bounce. You do not have to run them at full pressure (80 psi). Somewhere around 65 is usually sufficient to carry the load.
The following users liked this post:
D M (February 7th, 2021)
Old February 7th, 2021, 11:58 AM
  #5  
D M
CF Beginner
Thread Starter
 
D M's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2021
Posts: 2
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

@tech2 @monstershow @intheburbs Thanks a lot for the feedback.

My original Silverado had a wheelbase of 143.5
My current Tahoe has a wheelbase of 116 (huge difference)
The 2021 Suburban has a wheelbase of 134.1
(for reference, 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe 120.9 )

So, a brand new suburban would be much closer in wheelbase than my Tahoe. By quite a bit. Do you think that's 'enough' to make the towing feel similar to my old Silverado? Is that a 'little difference' or 'man, that's a game changer!!' ?

Thanks again.
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Jimstr3
Tahoe & Suburban
5
February 10th, 2021 8:09 AM
fishingtreeman
Tahoe & Suburban DIY and Useful Threads
0
April 6th, 2017 7:47 PM
Jeffreybomb
Tahoe & Suburban
18
December 28th, 2015 10:06 PM
mainec
Silverado, Sierra & Fullsize Pick-ups
10
July 16th, 2010 3:36 AM
haidangwa
Tahoe & Suburban
16
June 28th, 2007 10:27 AM



Quick Reply: Tahoe vs Suburban Towing 'feel'.



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 7:40 AM.