Towing long distance

[GrgKng]

Hey guys,

I have a 2010 Chevy Tahoe, with the towing package. I will be towing my 2011 Malibue Wakesetter 247 from MN to Texas, to do some early surfing and get a ballast system installed. Three buddies and I plan to make this trip non stop, so I wanted to get an opinion from some vets of a good plan to set my vehicle up for this long haul trip. The trip is 18 hours and about 1900 miles one way.

Boat Weight Dry: 4000
Trailer Weight: ? Assuming 1000 (Tandem Axle)

What I have now is a 6inch drop hitch, what else would you guys recommend to get my vehicle prepped for this trip?

This is what I have thought up, please do add anything you feel will benefit me for the best on this trip, and thank you in advance.

Tahoe about 14,000 miles on it (5.3L, towing package I believe the gear is a 3.42):

1. Tranny service, new fluids, ect
2. Check brakes (Upgrade brakes??)
3. Do I need anything to prevent the swaying of the trailer, like this - http://www.propridehitch.com/products/ProPride-3P-Trailer-Sway-Control-Hitch-.html ?
4. Full size spare with tools and jack to change it out
5. Two spares for the boat trailer
6. Mud flaps - http://www.propridehitch.com/products/Rock-Tamers-Mudflaps.html
7. Flush brake fluid?
8. Stay in tow/haul mode
9. Need airbags in the rear??
10. at this weight do I need to be worrying about the tongue weight?
11. Trailer brake controller? I have the one that comes with the vehicle stock, should I upgrade (do I even need it?)
12. Extra engine oil
Forgot to add: I'm on the stock 17 inch wheels and tire set up, and does the towing package have the tranny cooler?

Thanks. Any critiques, advice, whatever please shoot it my way. I'm hoping for a smooth trip, especially since I am bringing a long my brand new boat.

Thanks again guys.

 

[DTAILS]

I also tow quite a bit, but just 3/4 of the weight you mentioned. There isn't going to be any need to upgrade brakes etc. What I did was to convert my oil and trans fluid to Royal Purple synthetic with the same oil filter and a AC Delco trans filter.

The Tahoe shifts better and runs somewhat smoother, however I noticed it also runs an average of 15 degrees cooler as well.

Other than that I'd say you're good to go and enjoy the trip.

---------- Post added at 06:58 AM ---------- Previous post was at 06:52 AM ----------

Hey guys,

I have a 2010 Chevy Tahoe, with the towing package. I will be towing my 2011 Malibue Wakesetter 247 from MN to Texas, to do some early surfing and get a ballast system installed. Three buddies and I plan to make this trip non stop, so I wanted to get an opinion from some vets of a good plan to set my vehicle up for this long haul trip. The trip is 18 hours and about 1900 miles one way.

Boat Weight Dry: 4000
Trailer Weight: ? Assuming 1000 (Tandem Axle)

What I have now is a 6inch drop hitch, what else would you guys recommend to get my vehicle prepped for this trip?

This is what I have thought up, please do add anything you feel will benefit me for the best on this trip, and thank you in advance.

Tahoe about 14,000 miles on it (5.3L, towing package I believe the gear is a 3.42):

1. Tranny service, new fluids, ect
2. Check brakes (Upgrade brakes??)
3. Do I need anything to prevent the swaying of the trailer, like this - http://www.propridehitch.com/products/ProPride-3P-Trailer-Sway-Control-Hitch-.html ?
4. Full size spare with tools and jack to change it out
5. Two spares for the boat trailer
6. Mud flaps - http://www.propridehitch.com/products/Rock-Tamers-Mudflaps.html
7. Flush brake fluid?
8. Stay in tow/haul mode
9. Need airbags in the rear??
10. at this weight do I need to be worrying about the tongue weight?
11. Trailer brake controller? I have the one that comes with the vehicle stock, should I upgrade (do I even need it?)
12. Extra engine oil
Forgot to add: I'm on the stock 17 inch wheels and tire set up, and does the towing package have the tranny cooler?

Thanks. Any critiques, advice, whatever please shoot it my way. I'm hoping for a smooth trip, especially since I am bringing a long my brand new boat.

Thanks again guys.

By the way, tow mode will have you refilling the tank every 300 miles (or less). Use it for the hills etc.

Trailer brake controller may not be a bad idea, but then again you aren't pulling THAT much weight. The trailer brakes should be fine in helping with stopping.

Trans cooler would be good if you plan on being in the warmer climates on a regular basis, otherwise not really necessary.

No airbags are necessary either. Tongue weight will give you a smooth ride. Just don't fall asleep once you hit TX. You have lots of boring scenery ahead of you and some moronic drivers. Be careful and ALWAYS allow for more room between you and the vehicle in front of you ........... expect the unexpected.

GL.

 

[stevek]

Does it have the integrated controller? The one with the controls by your left knee?

If you're thinking about going across the country without a brake controller, I'm going to call you insane. A weight distributing hitch also may not be a bad idea if you can get one.

 

[mark1500]

Your boat is going to at least what you are expecting if not more, I have a Supra 21V and brought it back from California to Ohio, it was with a 08 Sequoia, but it will tow similar as the Tahoe and Sequoia are similar in weight etc., which was fine, hills may challenge the 5.3l, but if you have the tow package the trans cooler should keep temps in check.

Boats have surge brakes not electric, so their is no controller. No need for a sway control, but does your boat look level with a 6" drop? We have a 07 Escalade ESV with the air leveling suspension and 5 1/2" drop on my boat made the trailer way too nose heavy, you want a little bias to the tongue but not too much, really as close to level as possible is best especially with a boat and trailer of this size. The ESV is about perfect with a 4" drop.

You may want to get bags, I bought them for the Sequoia when we had it and it was great and keeping the rear from squatting too much. For about a $100 it helps carry the load of the boat, friends, and gear really well. I liked them so much I got a set for my Ram truck and would get a set for the ESV if it didn't have the leveling system.

 

[GrgKng]

Did you mean weigh?

Got my rock tamers ordered.

 

[fed4life]

I have a question regarding towing as well. I have a 2011 Tahoe LTZ with the towing package. I just bought a 26' Cobra Razor with a triple axle Extreme trailer that im picking up in about 6 hours. The weight of the boat and trailer is going to be about 5800lbs.

My tongue and ball is adjustable and rated up to 10,000lbs so im not worried there. On my Tahoe the tow rating is 8,200lbs so i know im within limits there as well. My question is: On the hitch that came with the Tahoe it states that maximum towing capacity is 5,000lbs and 10,000lbs with a weight distributing hitch. The boat trailer is NOT a weight distributing kind.

Im wondering if i will be ok with the hitch thats on the Tahoe since i will be about 800lbs over what it states even though the Tahoe is rated up to 8,200lbs.

Opinions, comments, ideas????????

 

[SmallXL]

I have a question regarding towing as well. I have a 2011 Tahoe LTZ with the towing package. I just bought a 26' Cobra Razor with a triple axle Extreme trailer that im picking up in about 6 hours. The weight of the boat and trailer is going to be about 5800lbs.

My tongue and ball is adjustable and rated up to 10,000lbs so im not worried there. On my Tahoe the tow rating is 8,200lbs so i know im within limits there as well. My question is: On the hitch that came with the Tahoe it states that maximum towing capacity is 5,000lbs and 10,000lbs with a weight distributing hitch. The boat trailer is NOT a weight distributing kind.

Im wondering if i will be ok with the hitch thats on the Tahoe since i will be about 800lbs over what it states even though the Tahoe is rated up to 8,200lbs.

Opinions, comments, ideas????????

You'll be fine. I tow a 25 Orion (like the Venom). You'll have no problems. Drop down a gear when running up the passes. Keep an eye on your trans temp, especially if your running out to the desert (ie. Havasu, Mead, Mohave, etc)... I doubt you'll have any problems.

Why triple trailer on that "small" of a boat. Triples are a pain in the ass when making turns.

 

[FijiRob]

GrgKng - You should be fine with the rig you have. Just take it easy and don't be in a hurry. I towed my Malibu from MN (Maple Grove) to CA in the winter of 2007 when we moved back to CA. I had a 2002 Yukon with the 5.3 and it towed just fine. I would recommend purchasing one of the upgraded towing covers for the boat (Rankin) to keep the inside pristine. They are not cheap, but worth every penny. Go to the malibucrew website for info and discounts.

--Rob

 

[GrgKng]

Thanks guys. I just realized that the tahoe, even with the towing package, only comes with a class III hitch receiver, anyone know who makes a class 4 for the NBS tahoe's? Or should I be fine, because I'm assuming the total load will be about 5700, so about 700-1000 over the "5000" limit.

 

[fed4life]

SmallXL: Ya i will be fine. I towed it back to my house in San Diego from the Inland Empire when i bought it and it did just fine. My concern was the same GrgKng's had about the hitch only being rated at 5,000lbs and my boat and trailer weighing in at about 5800lbs. which is about 800lbs over the stated load capacity of the hitch itself. Ya i will do most of the towing out to Parker/Havasu from North County San Diego so there isnt to many hills...15, 215 to the 10 fwy then rice road all the way in pretty much. I used to live in East County San Diego and i always took the 8 fwy to the 95 to Parker/Havasu and it can be tricky going over the mountain pass but at the time i had an F-250 and was only towing a 21' Aftershock so it was easy.

I bought the boat used so it came with a triple axel Extreme trailer. The original owner got the upgraded triple axel instead of the tandem axel...why? i dont know, probabaly for the "bling" factor. That boat would have been fine with a tandem axel.

How do you like your Orion? I was torn between the Venom and the Razor as i have always wanted a cat but in the end i went with the Razor becuase of the room it offered and the familiarity i have with v-hulls.