Towing Performance of a Tahoe with a 25 ft. Trailer?

[Jason P M]

Originally Posted by robi

So glad you reached out. The Tahoe transmission left me stranded in BFE Oklahoma after a few months of towing the 25 ft. trailer. I should stress, I am really anal about all vehicle maintainance and my set up, so that was not the issue. This was my third trailer ao I am pretty careful about weight, etc. To that point, I always had a tow vehicle that was supposed to have about 1000 lbs to spare considering all the sporting equipment I put in the SUV. At the end of the day, I was always physically exhausted from managing the drive. Folks would say, "You are paying for your tow vehicle physically, as it just isn't suited to do this. Buy a truck that is designed for this." So I did. My trailer is 7300 lbs totally wet, I pack another 2000 in sporting equipment in the truck. My towing capacity on my truck now is 12,600. My towing world is so much better and I am kicking myself for straddling the line all those years, no more sore muscles and fatique at the end of the day or stress in the mountains, hair pin turns or gusty highways. What I have learned is that you can get by close to the limit, but you will pay for it in stress, muscle pains and repairs. If the tow vehicle is on the edge, so are you. I travel cross country, so if you are just going to your local state parks it probably will not be an issue. Happy trails!

Robi- did your 2012 Tahoe have the 3.42 rear or 3.08? Thanks

[Glenritas]

Originally Posted by Jason P M

Robi- did your 2012 Tahoe have the 3.42 rear or 3.08? Thanks

You would want a 4.10 for towing and a large trans cooler . Especially in the mountains.

My Avalanche had 4.10 gears and a Gear Vendors overdrive unit . In the twisty mountain roads I spent a lot of time in 2nd overdrive . On the flats 3rd overdrive. Slight downgrade 4th.

The 4L60E 4 speed automatic with 4.10 gears had a spread of 1000 r.p.m. between gears the Gear Vendors unit split the difference at 500 r.p.m.

In the mountains 2nd was to low and 3rd was to high but with the Gear Vendors it was just right .

On the highway 4th would would build a bit of heat as it’s an overdrive, if the road had ups and downs the torque converter would unlock and hunt adding even more heat.
3rd is direct and with the torque converter locked there was bare minimum of heat generated. The problem was higher r.p.m.
Now with 3rd over the r.pm. Is happy and the torque converter locked minimal heat gain in the trans.

I ran the Gear Vendors in my Tahoe for years then moved it to the Avalanche and ran it for more years . When I sold the Avalanche I moved it back to the Tahoe . I will most likely move it to my ‘57 GMC 5.3L 4L60E 4.10 with 28” diameter tires project .

All that said is just food for thought .

The only vehicle towing our ‘69 Airstream has been our Tundra .