I have 2002 Tahoe 5.3L bought vehicle used. It looks like class III hitch is not a factory hitch. How do you tell if the vehicle has tow package? I would thing since the 5.3L engine GM would have all vehicles with the larger engines ready for heavy towing.
Thanks in advance

 

look behind the grille. you should see a radiator the size of let's say 12" wide by 6-10" high. it should be much smaller than the A/C one. if you have that, it cools the automatic transmission for towing.

if you don't, you most likely do not have the towing package. However, even without it, you can tow a good amount. you can also add a tranny cooler fairly easily.

 

If you'll look inside your Glove Box, there should be a Tag stuck in there, which gives the RPO Codes. That's the stuff which actually was installed at the Factory.
Here's several links where you can look that up, and try to find that.
Unfortunately, not any one list gives "all" the codes, which is why there's more than one listed here. Take a look and you'll see which code letters apply to the Tow.

RPO Codes:<O</O
http://www.montecarloss.com/SSThunder/gmcodes.html<O></O>
http://www.rpocodes.com/<O></O>
http://www.angelfire.com/ny2/96transam/rpocodes.html<O></O>
http://www.gm-trucks.com/rpo-code-lookup/<O></O>

 

What was included in the 2002 Tahoe Tow package?

 

Not sure exactly on the 02, but usually...

Hitch Receiver/Elec Connector
Auto Leveling
Transmission Tow Mode (pushbutton on Shift Leaver)
Cooling (HDuty)