Towing with a 2008 Tahoe 4/8 motor
January 30th, 2016, 6:13 PM
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Towing with a 2008 Tahoe 4/8 motor
Has anyone ever towed up to capacity (8200pounds) with this truck? We have towed 6500 pounds with a little strain in 90+ heat but otherwise no problem. Thinking of upgrading to a travel trailer 6800 dry and usually 500 pounds of added weight. Tongue weight of new trailer is 750 pounds. Adding a trani cooler to help (towing from CT to the FL Keys at end of June) Any info. would be much appreciated! Thanks.
January 30th, 2016, 8:50 PM
#2
Not sure where you're getting your numbers from. The 2008 Tahoe 4.8 has a towing rating of 4500 with the 3.23 axle, and 6500 with the 3.73 axle.
A Tahoe with the 5.3 and 4.10 axle is rated to 8200 lbs.
That's from the Trailer Life Towing Guide - CLICK HERE
I can only share my experiences with my Suburbans. I towed three different trailers with my '01 half-ton - 5000, 6000 and 7500 lbs. I've towed them from Michigan to Florida (three times), Virginia, Grand Canyon, Colorado and Yellowstone. I've racked up over 20,000 miles of towing.
In my opinon, the 6500-lb trailer is already too much for your Tahoe. And your tongue weight estimate is way low. Typical tongue weight is 10-15% of the total trailer weight. Any less, and you'll be extremely unstable and sway-happy at highway speeds.
Secondly, the rear end is not up to handling that much weight. I blew up the rear end in my Suburban twice, both times on vacation, because I was overloaded. Have you taken your rig to a scale to check your weights?
Lastly, I just towed an 8600-lb trailer on a 1000-mile trip around the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. No way, no how, would I ever consider towing anywhere near that much weight with a half-ton truck, especially a Tahoe. At least the Suburban has a longer wheelbase, and is better-suited for towing than the Tahoe. I strongly suggest a tow vehicle upgrade.
A Tahoe with the 5.3 and 4.10 axle is rated to 8200 lbs.
That's from the Trailer Life Towing Guide - CLICK HERE
I can only share my experiences with my Suburbans. I towed three different trailers with my '01 half-ton - 5000, 6000 and 7500 lbs. I've towed them from Michigan to Florida (three times), Virginia, Grand Canyon, Colorado and Yellowstone. I've racked up over 20,000 miles of towing.
In my opinon, the 6500-lb trailer is already too much for your Tahoe. And your tongue weight estimate is way low. Typical tongue weight is 10-15% of the total trailer weight. Any less, and you'll be extremely unstable and sway-happy at highway speeds.
Secondly, the rear end is not up to handling that much weight. I blew up the rear end in my Suburban twice, both times on vacation, because I was overloaded. Have you taken your rig to a scale to check your weights?
Lastly, I just towed an 8600-lb trailer on a 1000-mile trip around the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. No way, no how, would I ever consider towing anywhere near that much weight with a half-ton truck, especially a Tahoe. At least the Suburban has a longer wheelbase, and is better-suited for towing than the Tahoe. I strongly suggest a tow vehicle upgrade.