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

Towing?

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Old Oct 18, 2006 | 12:01 AM
  #31  
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Yes, the Tow/Haul mode holds each gear longer and also increases the pump pressure inside the transmission to reduce clutch pack slippage and friction induced heat.
It also reduces the amount of time it takes to shift from one gear to the next (firmer shift) and reduces shift busyness (shifting back and forth between gears on inclines) and lastly it will allow for overdrive engagement provided that the torque sensing system calculates that your load is not too great, the system uses fuzzy logic and is constantly learning and adjusting.

Chrysler attempted to copy GM’s system but failed to incorporate all the features.


Dave
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Old Oct 18, 2006 | 8:41 PM
  #32  
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I was wondering if any of you watch your transmission temperature when you are towing?? At what point is it too hot? The highest I've seen mine is 215.

Thanks,

Jason
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Old Oct 18, 2006 | 8:44 PM
  #33  
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One other cool thing about the tow/haul is that when changing lanes your turn signal blinks 6 times instead of 3.
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Old Oct 19, 2006 | 1:53 AM
  #34  
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Good eye Jason!

If the Trans over-temps it will sound and display a warning on the Driver Info Display, that happens at about 265F
If you reach 275F it will damage the trans, you need to pull over and idle to cool the tranny if you get a warning right now, but it will take a serious amount of abuse to get there even if the outside ambient temperature is over 120F and you are pulling a heavy trailer.
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Old Oct 19, 2006 | 9:13 AM
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Dave:

Could you pass on my sincere appreciation to whoever got that feature in the new platform. My 2500 Burban had it, but I was absolutely stoked to see it in the Tahoe.

Jason
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Old Oct 22, 2006 | 6:49 PM
  #36  
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What is the most weight you should tow with a tahoe using a weight distributing hitch? I know the max listed is 12K, but I would assume you wouldn't want to max it out. The reason I ask is I'm looking to upgrade to an enclosed trailer which would put my gross weight, including trailer, car & equipment, at about 8200#. Thanks!
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Old Oct 22, 2006 | 10:02 PM
  #37  
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Bought the rapid hitch. Nice piece of work. Paid $190 for it. Looks good on the Black LTZ though.
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Old Oct 24, 2006 | 2:11 PM
  #38  
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04 Tahoe... You need to tell us more about your truck... 2X or 4X, what gears do you have?? What year??? 04

Jason
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Old Oct 24, 2006 | 2:53 PM
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So I went from Detroit (Rock City) Michigan to just outside Knoxville, Tennessee over the weekend towing 6,500 lbs. with my 07 LTZ with 3:73's. Overall I was pretty darn happy, we averaged 8MPG which is a little better than I did with my '05 2500 Burban with the 8100. The highest my trans temp got was 220, all the guys in the car said the fluid was near it's max temp, Dave seemed to say I was good up till 265, I must say I take Dave's word as gold, but some of these guys are fairly mechanically inclined. Any input/facts on the trans fluid would be great.

Jason
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Old Oct 24, 2006 | 4:01 PM
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Your friends are correct in regards that a few years ago the old Dexron III and IV fluids would start to break down rapidly and lose their lubricating properties at over 220F and be worthless and ruined at 300F.

The new Dexron VI that is used in the 07 Tahoe has a much higher thermal stability threshold. And remember that; heat kills the fluid and the ruined fluid kills the transmission.
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