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Old 05-21-2016, 09:27 AM   #1
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2009 19' Flying Cloud
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Towing Performance of a Tahoe with a 25 ft. Trailer?

With a heavy heart, I am considering trading in my 19 foot flying cloud for a 25 footer. I have had so many wonderful experiences with my trailer, my emotional attachment is strong, but I spend so much time in it, I may make the leap. I have a 2012 Tahoe. According to the various towing metrics, it should be able to tow the 25 foot trailer. I understand that towing the maximum will place extra wear and tear on the tow vehicle. I tow across the country, and the Rockies are an annual event. I am wondering if anyone out there has this or a similar combo, and how it really performs in challenging terrain. I don't need to speed, but I also don't want safety and fatigue issues. I am also a little wary of how much harder it will be to handle the larger trailer.
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Old 05-21-2016, 09:50 AM   #2
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Need to know how your TV is optioned. P tires or LT's, Payload, and axle ratings.(GAWR)

A photo of the door jam sticker would help. Option sticker in glove box. Your Dealer could also do a VISS check for you. (Vehicle Inquiry System Summary)

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Old 05-21-2016, 09:56 AM   #3
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Get it set up right and give it a go, we've been very happy with similar vehicles and our 25. Wear and tear, if beyond negligible, will cost you less than trading vehicles. If you want to add safety for free, slow down. If you want much less fatigue, for $2500 buy a ProPride or Hensley hitch.
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Old 05-21-2016, 10:11 AM   #4
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As the above comments and questions indicate, you are in the gray-zone here. Some would be happy with that combination, others (including me) would prefer a more substantial tow vehicle. By more substantial I mean more power, payload, wheelbase, and brakes. You can give it a try and see how you feel about it after you get some experience with it.

Agree with dkottum: don't cut corners on the hitch with this combo.
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Old 05-21-2016, 10:18 AM   #5
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When we got our 2005 Safari 25FB eleven years ago, we had both a 2004 Tahoe and a 2005 Suburban 2500 at that time. Ready to camp, the 25FB weighed 7,400#.

We towed it primarily with the Suburban, but we did try the Tahoe on several occasions. The 3/4 ton Suburban had no problem with the Airstream in any circumstances. The Tahoe was quite sluggish, and struggled on any significant upgrade. We found the Tahoe doable, but was best suited for travels in the flat lands of Florida.

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Old 05-21-2016, 11:31 AM   #6
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We traded our 20' for a 25 a couple of years ago. I still miss the 20' in theory, but we love the 25'.

We tow it with a 2012 Durango Hemi just fine. I don't know how the Durango compares to the Tahoe spec wise, but my guess is that it would be fine.

The Durango has a max towing of 7200 lbs. My 25', fully loaded is 6,600.
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Old 05-21-2016, 12:15 PM   #7
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If you don't have one, a tranny temp gauge would be a great help. The Tahoe's tranny should receive some extra care from you. Watch how and when it shifts and don't be caught running in too high a gear for too long a time.

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Old 05-21-2016, 12:19 PM   #8
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Andrew Thomson, towing expert from Can-Am Airstream in Ontario found the Tahoe a little more resistant to trailer sway inputs than the Suburban 1500. This is because sway input is leveraged to the tow vehicle's steering axle depending on wheelbase to rear overhang ratio. The Tahoe has a shorter wheelbase but also a shorter rear overhang, rear axle-to-hitch-ball. He usually sets them up with an Eaze-Lift hitch and two sway bars, but there's more to his setup than that. Tires, shocks, hitch reinforcement if needed, shorten the stinger and other steps to complete the package. They have a questionnaire form on Can-Am's website to seek assistance, ask people who know what they are doing.

We eliminated the sway inputs to the steering axle completely on our Ram 1500 120" wheelbase with a Hensley/ProPride style hitch; sway inputs are projected to the rear axle where they are stopped rather than leveraged forward. Rock solid two-fingers on the steering wheel stability. They are not cheap but they work.
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Old 05-21-2016, 01:54 PM   #9
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The issue is tongue weight vs your Tahoe's cargo capacity. Unfortunately, the front bed design of this trailer and the 27 (which I own) puts almost all of the trailer storage in front of the trailer axles, resulting in a high tongue weight.
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Old 05-21-2016, 03:35 PM   #10
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Not sure what your payload capacity is with that Tahoe, but you are going to drop about 1000 pounds of tongue weight with any substantial hitch. Might want to check that capacity and determine how much you are going to carry in your TV. I had a 2009 Tahoe, flex fuel and was very disappointed in its ability (or lack thereof) to pull a trailer and certainly did not have as much as the AS 25. Would not pull worth a darn in the mountains.
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Old 05-21-2016, 03:36 PM   #11
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I'm going to be towing my 30' FC with an Escalade, which for towing purposes is similar to the Tahoe. Colonial RV is setting me up with an Equalizer hitch. I'll let you know how it goes.
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Old 05-22-2016, 10:42 AM   #12
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Smile Towing 25ft with Tahoe

Have towed my 25ft 2000 Excella (purchased new in 2000) with several Tahoes, currently 2011. Been Ca to Long Island (2004 US Open) and up to Tahoe. Performance has been great! We take about a half dozen 2 week trips a year now and find the combination easy to get around in tight places and easy to set up and reconnect. Down hill braking works very well. Enjoy! Bruce
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Old 05-22-2016, 10:52 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by FCStreamer View Post
I'm going to be towing my 30' FC with an Escalade, which for towing purposes is similar to the Tahoe. Colonial RV is setting me up with an Equalizer hitch. I'll let you know how it goes.
Not nearly similar: the Tahoe has the 5.3 liter motor and the Escalade the 6.2 liter motor. Huge differences in hp and torque.
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Old 05-22-2016, 11:24 AM   #14
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I owned a sister vehicle, a 2011 Yukon XL which I used to tow a 25' Flying Cloud. Among our adventures, a trip to Alaska and many trips hereabout in the Rockies as well as a journey to the East Coast for dog shows. The vehicle never faltered. I recently upgraded to a Denali XL with a larger engine - just for added insurance. I believe you will be well served by your tow vehicle
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Old 05-22-2016, 01:04 PM   #15
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Tahoe disappointment!

Tried towing with Tahoe and was ok on flat territory but hopelessly outclassed on grades. The transmission temperature reaches uncomfortable high levels I fitted a transmission cooler to keep the system within normal range but still inadequate. Typically changed down to 3rd gear on significant inclines. Lower rear axle ratios make it worst! Traded to a RAM diesel to take on the Rockies! Night and day comparison!
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Old 05-22-2016, 06:28 PM   #16
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Transmissions are very expensive
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Old 05-22-2016, 08:32 PM   #17
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Just my own experience here with my 20ft FC and 2012 Tahoe..based on a couple of cross-country trips each year....I would not want to tow anything heavier (>5,000 lbs) or longer with my Tahoe. I (think I am) a reasonable driver (no accidents in 50 years of driving), but I have been through one bad swaying incident (never could figure out why) that swung the Tahoe as well....pretty terrifying. Re performance, I think 5k pounds is all that the 5.3L engine is good for in the mountains. Safe travels. jon
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Old 05-23-2016, 12:53 AM   #18
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I have been towing my 24ft 1968 Trade wind with my 2011 Tahoe and have had no problems. She slides down the road so easily I have to keep checking my mirrors to make sure I didn't loose her back at yonson's place. The shorter wheel base means tighter turning radius. If I forget to turn on the tow package and I can feel the load. The only time I really notice the Airstream behind me is when I am taking off or slowing down.
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Old 05-23-2016, 05:52 AM   #19
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Tahoe Tow Vehicle

I tow my 1975 31' Airstream and also my 1955 22' Airstream with my Tahoe with no problem. In fact, I bought a newer Tahoe as my older one gained high mileage. I don't even feel the 22' AS behind me. Enjoy.
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Old 05-23-2016, 07:10 AM   #20
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I know towing is hard on a vehicle and puts an extra load on all systems, but how long/how many miles does it take to be noticeably more expensive to maintain?
At 53,000 miles I can't tell that towing at the limit has damaged my truck or worn anything out prematurely.
Maybe I will see the difference at 100,000 miles?
I guess what I'm saying is: Don't worry about it.
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