2015 Tahoe tow ratings?

[GS400]

I have been searching the internet to find an accurate number for the tow ratings on a 2013 Tahoe.

The numbers have ranged from 5200 to 8000 lbs. I figure the gear ratio and cooling packages have something to do with the ratings but I have not been able to find a definitive number.

Currently I have an 08 Envoy with a max towing of 5200 lbs and I was going to replace it with a Tahoe but if the tow rating of a base Tahoe is only 5200 lbs it does not make sense to purchase one. Most of the used Tahoe's I have seen have the base gear ratio (3:08?).

I will be pulling my X213 that is about 5200 lbs loaded with our gear

Anyone have a good source for "actual" tow ratings?

[bedrck46]

Check Trailer Life Tow Ratings

[GS400]

Originally Posted by bedrck46

Check Trailer Life Tow Ratings

Just checked that and I am disappointed to see that the base Tahoe 4x4 tow rating is only 5200 lbs with the standard 3.08 gear ratio.

3.42 gear option brings the rating up to 5700 lbs
3.42 gear an cooling option brings the rating up to 8200 lbs

[DocBrown]

Never, ever go by online, non-manufacturer resources. They do not give you the complete picture. The owners manual has the most accurate info. The other two things you needs is the RPO code list in the glove box so you know all the options installed, and the payload sticker in the driver door.

Page 9-79 has the towing chart.

SUVs are limited in more than just towing capacity. Usually their payload is lower due to a softer suspension.

Any reason you would not consider a 1500 series crew cab PU? Higher payload, stiffer more capable suspension, higher towing capacity, usually more truck for less money than a similarly equipped Tahoe/Suburban. We've always had Suburbans or vans. Had a Trailblazer previously too. My Sierra is my first PU. I now wish we had bought one years ago.

[SilverEscape]

Check allowable tongue weight as well. My x213 has a 700+ tongue when loaded. Dry without propane tanks or spare tire and empty trailer and it's still over 500.

You're lucky you're only at 5200# loaded. I thought we had plenty of room to spare at 4850, but the realized I hadn't counted the tongue. LOL Ends up we're at 5620 so o have to figure out what to leave at home, yet we aren't even taking lots of stuff. There isn't even one large, heavy item we can leave. *shrug*

[GS400]

An SUV fits our current needs better than a PU truck so that is why I was looking at a Tahoe, plus I would be getting rid of the wifes Envoy that she likes so I have to keep her happy.

Took the Envoy and X213 to the CAT scales with just me in the truck and a camper without food,cloths and bikes. Here are the results:
Steer Axle 2640 (Envoy max 2950)
Drive Axle 2840 (Envoy max 3200)
Trailer Axle 4040
Gross Weight 9520
This was with the weight distributing hitch engaged.

The GCWR of the Envoy is 10000 so I am 480 lbs from max without the family or supplies

It tows and stops fine (not sure about a panic stop)but those numbers are not good.

Looked at the on-line Tahoe manual as suggested above and it calls out 6400 lbs max trailer weight for the standard 3.08 ratio so that will work, I just have to crunch the other numbers. I have no plans to upgrade to a larger trailer any time soon. A PU truck is not completely out of the question, I just have to convince the wife to drive one as her daily driver I drive to far to work every day to live with the poor gas mileage.

[GS400]

Originally Posted by SilverEscape

Check allowable tongue weight as well. My x213 has a 700+ tongue when loaded. Dry without propane tanks or spare tire and empty trailer and it's still over 500.

You're lucky you're only at 5200# loaded. I thought we had plenty of room to spare at 4850, but the realized I hadn't counted the tongue. LOL Ends up we're at 5620 so o have to figure out what to leave at home, yet we aren't even taking lots of stuff. There isn't even one large, heavy item we can leave. *shrug*

Your 2014 Ford can't handle that weight?

[SilverEscape]

Originally Posted by GS400

Your 2014 Ford can't handle that weight?

The truck is fine. It's the trailer. We're 120# over the GVWR of 5500#.

[DocBrown]

Originally Posted by GS400

A PU truck is not completely out of the question, I just have to convince the wife to drive one as her daily driver I drive to far to work every day to live with the poor gas mileage.

Get her to test drive one. She'll never want to go back to a midsize truck again. My wife loves the fact that people stay out of her way too! If there is any issue for my wife it's that she isn't real comfortable backing it up. But she wasn't with the Trailblazer either.

And my Sierra gets about 10% better mileage than my Trailblazer did. We have a hard folding cover on the bed and use it like a trunk with a cargo bar most of the time.

Seriously, get her to at least look at a couple of crew cab PUs. You don't have to buy one, but keep your options open. When all is said and done, a PU is going to be a more suitable tow vehicle for you.

[Camper_bob]

Originally Posted by DocBrown

Get her to test drive one. She'll never want to go back to a midsize truck again. My wife loves the fact that people stay out of her way too! If there is any issue for my wife it's that she isn't real comfortable backing it up. But she wasn't with the Trailblazer either.

And my Sierra gets about 10% better mileage than my Trailblazer did. We have a hard folding cover on the bed and use it like a trunk with a cargo bar most of the time.

Seriously, get her to at least look at a couple of crew cab PUs. You don't have to buy one, but keep your options open. When all is said and done, a PU is going to be a more suitable tow vehicle for you.

+1 to all of this. My wife actually admitted to me this weekend that she thought she might want a truck when it comes time to upgrade her vehicle. She SWORE up and down she wanted a Tahoe, and I swore I would never have a non-pickup again when I bought my GMC in 2012 (reinforced when I stepped into my RAM 2500 in May). I absolutely LOVED my Tundra I had back in the day, but like others have said, LONG commute made me sell the Tundra. Won't have that problem again, so I'm in a truck for good now.

You should drive one before you discount it completely out-of-pocket.

[rvsixer]

It's payload rating/tongue weight rating, not tow rating, that limits these light trucks in actual tow capacity.

Looking at the GM brochures, dependent on trim level/options, it appears either the 2015 (message title) or 2013 (message content) Tahoe will have a real world payload rating of around 1400-1500 lbs. Subtract the X213 appx 750lb tongue weight and a 100 lb. WD hitch, and you have only about 550-650lbs left for people and gear.

An Envoy has even less payload capacity let's all be careful out there 1500HD or better recommended.

[RedHorse1]

Originally Posted by GS400

The GCWR of the Envoy is 10000 so I am 480 lbs from max without the family or supplies

The rear axle is 360# below it's max weight.

[rvsixer]

Originally Posted by RedHorse1

The rear axle is 360# below it's max weight.

Good point, and further limiting things is the Envoy GVWR (regardless of individual/combined axle ratings).

Dependent on trim, the 2008 Envoy has as low as 5500lb GVWR. Subtract the OP's measured 5480 lb weight (with only one person onboard and NO gear/supplies), leaves only 20lbs (hitting GVWR limit) to 360/480lb (hitting RA/GCWR limits) for other people/gear.