Towing with my new "Hoe"

[Dave K.]

I recently purchased a new 2007 Chev Tahoe LT with 5.3L V8 and 3.73 rear end. I plan to tow my 66 roadster with it that is inside a 20ft. Pace American low profile box trailer. The trailer has electric brakes and I will install an electric brake controller in the Tahoe.

The combined weight of the trailer and Corvette is about 5900#. The max trailer weight rating for the Hoe is 7200#. I will be trailering over some hilly terrain. The Tahoe is equipped with a trailering package that includes a tow gear setting on the steering column.

Anyone have any experience tailering with a Tahoe?

Regards,
Dave K.

[Bill S.]

Re: Towing with my new "Hoe"

you'll know its back there, the trans is the issue make sure you have cooler.

[Chuck R.]

Re: I strongly suggest

That if your to do serious towing, that you have a trans temp gauge installed.

The gauge is the early warning system that will tell you in advance of an idiot light that things are getting too warm.

I have them on my plow trucks and more than once the gauges have warned off big time tranny repairs.

My two pennies worth.

Chuck

[Mike M.]

Re: Towing with my new "Hoe"

change the rear end lube every 25K miles, esp if its got posi rear. i have had several rears get cooked from pulling my 10K rig at high interstate speeds, esp so with the 1/2 and 3/4 ton chassis. the current tow truck had the one ton rear and i've had no problems with it. i still change rear end grease every 25K miles and i use Mobile synthetic gear oil with posi addative to top it off. regards, mike

[Dick W.]

Re: Towing with my new "Hoe"

Doc, the difference is that most people do not tow at an average speed of 80+ mph.

[Jack W.]

Re: Towing with my new "Hoe"

Have towed a 65 on a trailer with my 02 Avalanche with that very same engine, keep it in "tow haul" mode (if they still have that) and you should be fine. I had swapped in cluster from a Denali (straight swap, a 2 minute job) which gave me a transmission temp gauge (sensor already in place and wired, Chebby just cheaped out on the actual gauge in the cluster) and having one is nice while towing - it gives you something to look at, and I guess something to tell you when you have done some damage to the tranny.

Your 'Hoe is also prewired for the tranny temp guage, and maybe you have one in your gauge pack. If not, and if you want to swap in an oem cluster WITH the tranny temp gauge (as I said it will be plug and play) you can purchase the proper Tahoe cluster from places like this, making sure you order the version WITH the tranny temp gauge:

http://www.jpcustoms.com/store/customer/product.php?productid=17541&cat=270&page=1

Me, I would upgrade the cluster to the Silver or white Escalade cluster, all shown here:

http://www.jpcustoms.com/store/customer/home.php?cat=270

I swear to you that swapping out these clusters is easier than making toast - you just tilt the column down, pry off the dash surround with your fingers, undo a few screws, out comes the cluster (need to then unhook some wire harness plugs) and in goes the new one, and the surround presses back on.

[Clem Z.]

the wind from passing18 wheelers moves short

wheel base tow vehicles like tahoes around a lot. keep a good grip on the steering wheel. been there and did not like it. you should never tow a large trailer without at least a 3/4 ton tow vehicle with 10 ply tires and heavy duty suspension. JMHO

[Harmon C.]

Re: the wind from passing18 wheelers moves short

I have been towing for years and Clem is correct the larger the tow truck the less the big trucks push you around. If you see a truck comming fast in the passing lane be ready as some of them fly and will push you around.
Lyle

[John Daly]

[Dave K.]

Re: the wind from passing18 wheelers moves short

John,

You are quoting from the same manual as I have. I was just wondering if any out there had personal experinece with towing using the Hoe.

Dave K.

[Kent K.]

Re: the wind from passing18 wheelers moves short

If you start to fishtail after an 18 wheeler passes you, simply tap the trailer brakes to pull it back in line. Works every time.
Kent #6201

[Bill S.]

Re: the wind from passing18 wheelers moves short

my experiences are as follows: first towed a camper of this weight with a 99 5.3 3:73 GMC truck. trans over heated after about 3 hrs of driving through VT and upstate NY. no pwr on hills. replaced with a 3/4 ton chevt crew 6.0 4:10 rear, was fine. i also have a kubota and 18 ft trailer this weight. sold the 3/4 bought a 05 avalanche with the 5.3 and special order 4:10. no guts up hill tranny does not know what to do on steep hills as the 99 did. when the 1/2 ton trannys get hot they go nuts and bang in and out of gear on steep grades and pull real sluggish.i gave the wife the avalanch and use it for my boat. would not dare hook up my horse trailer to it. now use as a HOE a 3/4 ton 8.1 suburban with a 3:73. what a tow vehicle! the difference beteen a 3/4 ton chevy HD trans and 1/2 ton is night and day. all's tow haul does, in my opinion ,is hold it in gear longer at higher RPM's. for long trips you are asking alot of this truck. improvments to consider are 6 or 8 ply tires(i like yokahama geolanders) a weight dist hitch and as brought up before and very important, a temp guage! make sure it has a trans cooler, a hitch does not mean it has one. it should have towing package on the sticker.

[Jack H.]

Plus...

you can buy anti-sway devices for your trailer hitch to install along with your load leveler to help reduce the problem with a short wheel base tow vehicle. I used a pair of these when I hauled with a Ford Bronco. Why Ford? It was free from my brother...

They don't FULLY obviate the tendency for the trailer to rock you when a big rig passes, but they're a definite help. In the end, I moved up to a BB Suburban for the tow vehicle and it was a DAY & NIGHT improvement!!! There's simply no substitute for wheel base & horsepower when you're a serious hauler....

[Bill S.]

Re: best truck i ever had but....

love my 8.1 but 10 MPG no matter how i drive or what the load. never more, never less but when your other vehicle is a 427 66 L72 it seems like an economy truck. i do love my chevy BB's! always have always will.

[Harmon C.]

Re: the wind from passing18 wheelers moves short

Kent
I have taped the brakes also you can accelerate as you are passed if you have the guts to try it.I have towed with more undersized cars than I want to admit and the ride is not fun.I now tow with a dualee one ton with a fifth wheel trailor so I can run with the big boys with no problem. It's nice to run 70mph and feel safe. I have had a trailor tire blow out at 70 and not even know it happened so I run with a CB on. Most car trailors have tires that are overloaded before you pack in the extras so they are a weak link.

Lyle