Buying a travel trailer, what's my safe towing capacity?

[Groundhog66]

Hello all, I have some questions regarding the towing capacity of my vehicle. I am in the market for a travel trailer, and need to know what my safe towing capacity is. I have a 2006 Tahoe with 5.3L engine, and what I believe to be the towing package. Below are the specs of the trailer I am considering, is this doable?

If more info is needed, please let me know.....thank you.

Product Specifications
Exterior Length - 25' 10"
Body Length - 22' 9"
Exterior Width - 8'
Exterior Height - 10' 10"
Interior Height - 6' 9"
Bed Size - 60x80
Dinette Bed Size - 42x81
Axle Weight (lbs.) - 3,940
Hitch Weight (lbs.) - 355
Dry Weight (lbs.) - 4,295
GVWR (lbs.) - 7,355
Cargo Capacity (lbs.) - 3,060
Fresh Tank (gal.) - 44gal
Gray Tank (gal.) - 30gal
Black Tank (gal.) - 30gal
LP Bottle (lbs.) - 40
Power Conv. (amps) - 55amps
Furnace (BTU) - 30K

 

[mals]

Hello all, I have some questions regarding the towing capacity of my vehicle. I am in the market for a travel trailer, and need to know what my safe towing capacity is. I have a 2006 Tahoe with 5.3L engine, and what I believe to be the towing package. Below are the specs of the trailer I am considering, is this doable?

If more info is needed, please let me know.....thank you.

Product Specifications
Exterior Length - 25' 10"
Body Length - 22' 9"
Exterior Width - 8'
Exterior Height - 10' 10"
Interior Height - 6' 9"
Bed Size - 60x80
Dinette Bed Size - 42x81
Axle Weight (lbs.) - 3,940
Hitch Weight (lbs.) - 355
Dry Weight (lbs.) - 4,295
GVWR (lbs.) - 7,355
Cargo Capacity (lbs.) - 3,060
Fresh Tank (gal.) - 44gal
Gray Tank (gal.) - 30gal
Black Tank (gal.) - 30gal
LP Bottle (lbs.) - 40
Power Conv. (amps) - 55amps
Furnace (BTU) - 30K

A good start would be to look at the RPO sticker in the glove box. You can either list them hear or post a photo. That will let us know what trailer options if any your Tahoe is equipped with, possible transmission cooler, rear axle ratio, etc.

I'm pretty conservative with my trailering, so the camper you spec'd would be towards the upper limit that I would pull with my '05 Yukon with a 6.0L, full factory tow package and HD trans cooler.

That being said, I pull a 21' camper at around 4,500lbs with a weight distributing hitch and hardly know it's back there.

 

[Groundhog66]

Here are the codes, any help would be appreciated.

 

[mals]

Here are the codes, any help would be appreciated.

Looks like you have the following factory towing options:

KNP - NG SYSTEM TRANS, HD 913 (Trans Cooler)

VR4 - TRAILER HITCH WEIGHT DISTRIBUTING PLATFORM

Z82 - TRAILER PROVISIONS SPECIAL EQUIPMENT, H.D.
​

Like me you also have Hydro Boost Brakes which will help greatly with a trailer:

JH2 - BRAKE HYD POWER, DISC/DISC
​

The main difference from my setup is that you have the following:

GU5 - AXLE REAR 3.23 RATIO

M30 - TRANSMISSION AUTO 4 SPD, HMD, 4L60-E, ELECTRONIC
​

I have a 3.73 rear and a HD 4L65E transmission.

Take a look at the "Tech Specs" tab here: http://chevroletforum.com/forum/vindecoder.php?vin=1gnec13z36j116588

And Page 23 here: http://rvbonus.com/towing/2006/2006tow.pdf

You have a 5,000lb tow limit with the hitch as-is, and a 6,700lb tow limit (2WD) with weight distribution. I know lots of people tow right up to the limit, and some beyond, but I like the rule of thumb that your default setup shouldn't be much beyond 80% of your rated max for comfort and stability. For you that would work out to 5,360lbs.

With the camper you are looking at with a dry weight of 4,295lbs that would leave you around 1,065lbs capacity for cargo.

On paper it seems tow-able, but if you are going to do a lot of long distance towing you may want to swap out your rear to a 3.73 or 4.10. You can see on Page 23 of that towing guide if you upgrade to a 3.73 with your 5.3L 2WD the tow rating increases to 7,700lbs with a weight distributing hitch.

Also, if you ever needed to rebuild your trans, a 4L60E can get rebuilt as a 4L65E with the upgraded HD components.

Additionally, if your front brakes are coming up for service you could also benefit from the NNBS front brake retrofit and take advantage of the increased bolt on braking capabilities.​

 

[rockola1971]

I agree with the above except no way you are towing that TT with a full load of water (44gals x8.36lbs/gal) and partial gray and black tanks full along with all of your belongings inside camper. Weight distribution hitch would be a must but I dont see the transmission holding up OR if the weather gets crazy it will be white knuckle driving.

 

[01ssreda4]

I agree thats pushing the limits on several aspects of the vehicle.....not saying it cant be done but precautions need to be made.

 

[Groundhog66]

This is the feedback I was looking for, thank you. If there is a way I can do it safely, even with a few vehicle modifications, I'd like to make it happen.

 

[mals]

If there is a way I can do it safely, even with a few vehicle modifications, I'd like to make it happen.

I think you need to do your research and make a final decision yourself. The numbers I pointed you to are a good start. You now know what you have, and what GM rated your truck to haul.

You also should know that the "dry weight" can be misleading. It normally is what the trailer weighs at the end of the manufacturers line, and does not reflect any accessories that are optional equipment or that are installed at the dealership. Items like awnings, a/c units, propane cylinders, deep cycle batteries, etc are not always in that number, and they can add hundreds of pounds to a camper before you ever start loading in you personal gear, pots, pans, food.

I used to tow a small little pop-up camper with a 4.3L AWD Chevy Astro. The Astro was rated to tow 5,600 lbs, so when we upgraded to a travel trailer that weighed in at around 4,500lbs I thought the Astro would do fine since that falls right in the 80% range. It did tow it, but it was not a pleasant experience. We took it on two trips the beginning of last season. It was fine on flat ground, but had trouble getting up hills, and was super squirrelly going down steep grades. By our third trip out, I had sold the Astro and stepped up to the 6.0L AWD Yukon with a 8,200lb rating.

That's all to say that I agree with @rockola1971 and @01ssreda4. I think this trailer would be pushing what your Tahoe would be comfortable to tow, and in the end you may not enjoy the overall experience. You could mitigate that by upgrades to your rig, looking into another tow vehicle, or looking at smaller/lighter travel trailers.

 

[RED TAHOE LS]

All things considered, you have been given some great advise related to towing. My suggestion above all, DO NOT PURCHASE ANY RV UNTIL YOU TOW IT WITH YOUR VEHICLE, regardless what the salesman says, even in a hilly situation. Having a 38' motorhome for 9 yrs, the additional weight of the Blank/Grey tanks are not an issue since water supply/dump stations are available in rest areas and campgrounds. By the time you load groceries/pots pans/TV/blankets/clothes/linen, it adds up quick. If your vehicle strains @ all during testing, WALK. JMHO and good luck.
David g...........

 

[RED TAHOE LS]

Tim, thanks for the reply, in previous post, that's why I strongly recommend TEST PULL the camper before purchase. When RVing whether motorhome or towing, you will learn quick to keep the RPM in a safe and useable range to not LUGG the engine such as using 3 instead of D on the gearshift to keep power up until on flat payment. You gotta stay ahead when towing, JMHO and good luck.
David g.