5.3-L Tahoe-Can it do it?

[Schiada Time]

Considering a 4 door Tahoe or Yukon the 2001-2006 generation with the 5.3-L LS motor and want opinions good or bad on how they perform towing and driving. This will be my daily driver/tow vehicle. I have a 22 Foot Schiada V-drive that likely weighs about 5500. I will be towing a short distance as the boat lives up at the lake house at Mead but I will also be towing my aluminum car trailer with a 56 Ford pickup altogether weighing about 6000 lbs. Anybody have any insight as to how a half ton 5.3-L equipped 4 door Tahoe handes a load?

 

[BajaMike]

I really think you need a 3/4 ton truck to tow more then $5,000 lbs. I think the newer (2008 to 2008) Chevy 1/2 ton crew cabs are rated up to 8k or 9k, but not the Tahoes that are 5 or so years old.


Check this website for ratings:

http://www.trailerlife.com/output.cfm?id=42175

You should take your fully loaded trailer to the scales and see how much it really weighs and then go from there.

If a Tahoe is rated to tow 6,000 lbs, I wouldn't want to tow more then 5,000 lbs very far.


Good luck.

 

[BajaMike]

According to that web site, the tow rating for a 2006 Tahoe/Denali is 6600 with the 3.73 rear end, and 7500 with the 4.10 rear end.


I wouldn't tow anything without the 4.10 rear end.

:champagne:

 

[RiverDave]

I think it'll be fine personally.

 

[pronstar]

I htink you're well within the tow rating, should be fine.

I'm not crazy about towing right up against a vehicle's tow rating, but it doesn't sounds like that's the case with what you're doing.

 

[Wakker]

If your not towing it up big ass hills, or long distances I'd pull more than its rated for

 

[69 1/2]

According to that web site, the tow rating for a 2006 Tahoe/Denali is 6600 with the 3.73 rear end, and 7500 with the 4.10 rear end.


I wouldn't tow anything without the 4.10 rear end.

:champagne:

The 4.10 really does not work in reality, too low. I have the 3.73s and it turns 3,200rpm at a 70mph cruise. I really can't see spinning the engine much faster for hours on end. Overdrive can't even be considered, the trans temp goes through the roof on these GMs towing in OD. I watched mine go from 160 to 220 in five minutes when I tried OD and it was 20 degrees out. I tow a Jeep on a trailer that weighs 5,750lbs.

Just returned from Moab today (1,200 miles one way) and towing across Colorado can be a trick. If you get it down into second gear before it drops below 60mph it will hold 50 over Vail pass. The thin air just kills these (and almost all) trucks. Less than 5,000 ft. and there is plenty of power in these new Tahoe/Yukons. The brakes are quite good but a one axle brake system on these weights is really not going to work. I have brakes on both axles and it stops pretty well but I wish I had gone with disc systems.

 

[OCMerrill]

About the hardest pull we have put out 02 Yukon through is the 330 up to big bear pulling our boat which weigh about 4500# wet.

3.73 gears and large 285-60-18's and she goes right up the hill with no drama.

We have owned it for 6 years now (bought it 2 years old from a friend) and the only failure has been the glass in the auto dimming side mirror. Leaked all it's oil out.

I say that is pretty damn good. MIleage is not as good as one would hope. Solo runs to vegas return 17. In town it's in the 12's but that's ok for the amount the wife drives.

 

[Flat Broke]

I don't know Trav. I know your a chevy guy, but if it's got to be an SUV, what is the last year they made the Excursion? A diesel 4x4 Excursion seems like it would cover your towing needs aittle better for the car hauler deal.

As for the 5.3, I'm pleasantly surprised by my TB. Even with 3.42s it does pretty damn good towing the Spectra. The couple times we've taken it to the river so far, it's handled the grade on the 10 without issue. The last trip I got 16.1mpg towing from Laughlin to Ontario.

If you're sold on the Tahoe, just make sure you get 3.73s, and expectto feel the trailer back there, compared to say an Excursion or 3/4 ton truck that tends not to care about smaller loads like my Spectra.

Chris

 

[Rivrat]

I had a 06 sierra 5.3 and towed a 22 schiada v-drive as well and it was a bit of a hassle. always shifting even when it was in the tow mode. i sold it and got a f-250 with the 7.3 diesel and could not be more happy

 

[Yellowboat]

My $.02, 5k is the max you want to pull with a 1/2 ton anything.


I'd also recomend wieghing your boat and trailer when its full. most people think thier trailers are alot lighter then they actually are.

 

[BigDeck]

I have this set up. I pull my 24 ft Cheetah Fast Cat with it. The only problem I have encountered are the brakes coming down the mountain at Big Bear. Never any other issue up to now.

 

[Deckin Around]

I've had 2 of the 1500 5.3s, one 2000yr 2wd, currently have an 06 4wd, put 120k on both and tow a 26' ebbtide deck over 6500lbs with no issues. Also have a 18' enclosed with 3 dirtbikes and a polaris rzr (5500lbs)

no problems

 

[troostr]

I have the 6.2 and 6 speed in my denali- great combo, tons of power for pulling. We've pulled a 28' enclosed with a 58 caddy broughm in it, pulled great. My BIN has the same burb with the 5.3 and 4speed auto, he hates big hills, I leave them in the dust - the denali will pass anything but a gas station! no matter what we pull boat, trailer, nothing- it will average 12.5-13.5 best. 2OO mi trip to the inlaws- all open hwy- 13.5 mpg (but we usually run 90+ unless we are going through a town) I wish GM would have built an "excursion" like rig- I love my duramax.

 

[BajaMike]

The 4.10 really does not work in reality, too low. I have the 3.73s and it turns 3,200rpm at a 70mph cruise. I really can't see spinning the engine much faster for hours on end.

Just returned from Moab today (1,200 miles one way) and towing across Colorado can be a trick. If you get it down into second gear before it drops below 60mph it will hold 50 over Vail pass. The thin air just kills these (and almost all) trucks. Less than 5,000 ft. and there is plenty of power in these new Tahoe/Yukons. The brakes are quite good but a one axle brake system on these weights is really not going to work. I have brakes on both axles and it stops pretty well but I wish I had gone with disc systems.

I don't agree about the 4.10......I have a 4.10 in my 2500 HD crew cab and I love it, whether driving around town or on the freeway or towing. 80 mph on the freeway is about 3500 rpm. It hardly feels different when I am towing....I wouldn't have anything else.

Driving in the Colorado mountains can be tricky. I drove over Loveland Pass one year in the middle of summer when the Eisenhower tunnel was closed for repairs. I was in a 1952 Willys pickup, it was geared really low but was dying going up that grade near the top. I got out and pulled off the air filter, and away I went. That thin air really hurts. I think that is one of the highest highways in the country.

:thumbsup

 

[rivermobster]

It's all about wheel base legnth. I tried towing with my Durango one day. (it's rated for 9k lb)

I'll never do it again...

 

[69 1/2]

I don't agree about the 4.10......I have a 4.10 in my 2500 HD crew cab and I love it, whether driving around town or on the freeway or towing. 80 mph on the freeway is about 3500 rpm. It hardly feels different when I am towing....I wouldn't have anything else.

Driving in the Colorado mountains can be tricky. I drove over Loveland Pass one year in the middle of summer when the Eisenhower tunnel was closed for repairs. I was in a 1952 Willys pickup, it was geared really low but was dying going up that grade near the top. I got out and pulled off the air filter, and away I went. That thin air really hurts. I think that is one of the highest highways in the country.

:thumbsup

Your 2500 has taller tires, with those tires and the 4.10 it is about the same as my 1/2 ton truck with 3.73s since the half tons use a shorter tire as a rule.

 

[rivrat34]

I have a 4.8 liters 08 gmc sierra standard cab I towed a car hauler with a 94 ford 250 4x4 with cargo bed.. no problems!

 

[75 Spectra V-Drive]

I had a 06 F150 FX4 Supercrew, towed my boat great. It was bought back by Ford as a lemon,excessive pinging under load. I bought a used 06 GMC Z71 extended cab with the 5.3 It was a piece of shit compared to the Ford, I was never comfortable towing with it. I would go om an on/ off ramp and the truck would flex so much the air would blow through the door jambs. I now have a Chevy 2500HD with the Duramax and Allison. It is day and night, pulls all the grades in 6th gear gets 18 MPG on the highway towing. My .02:thumbsup:thumbsup

 

[sixdays]

bigger is alway better. It will pull the boat, but everybody always overlooks braking!!! Make sure you can stop it and you're good to go!!!

 

[Nolan@Nicholas]

Chevrolet under rates there tow capability to keep people safe. Your Tahoe will tow the boat fine and should not have any issues stopping it either with the 4 wheel disc brakes it has plus your trailers brakes. The biggest thing I notice when towing 5-6k with a Tahoe is the short wheel base of the Tahoe sometimes will make you feel uneasy if the wind is blowing. Since you are going a short distance I think you will be just fine.

I tow my boat to havasu or parker every year 4-5 times with a 1500 and 5.3 and I have never had any issues whether its with a Tahoe or my Silverado.

 

[jetboatmatt]

I had the same Motor in the chevy truck and pulled my 10000 pound Toy hauler up to Mammoth. You have to be smart when towing. I had my breaks changed over to the HD one so much larger then stock. I put airbags in the back to level the load. I never drove over 60 and she did fine. My trailer had breaks on it too.
That 5.3 will do fine just make sure you have a large trans cooler on there or it will heat up pretty good.. Drive slow and safe and you will be just fine!!!

 

[RogerThat99]

The Tahoe probably has the towing capacity, but as was mentioned above I don't like to push it to the limit. Also the 4 door Tahoe IMO doesn't have a long enough wheelbase or big enough brakes to tow that boat safely, especially if it doesn't have trailer brakes. The Tahoe can get it moving but will have a hell of a time getting it stopped in an emergency braking situation. I would opt for a 3/4 ton (bigger brakes and longer wheelbase)so you don't end up jack knifed somewhere. just my opinion.

 

[XX14]

I have a Chevy Van 1500 with the 5.7 and it's rated around 7,000. It tows our Rage, 3700 obs dry, trailer, all our gear, and seven of us. I'm asking it to do everything it should. I agree with the braking comments and concerns. I'm dealing with our situation now because I really don't have a better option and no I'm not buying an Excursion. I put Firestone Airbags on mine with a compressor, a heavy duty hitch, another trans cooler, and HD Bilstein shocks. If I had a better option I'd use it. If you do I'd recommend it. It just sucks having to wonder if you'll make it up that hill and more importantly can you stop at the bottom of it! No one like to think about emergency situations but that's our responsibility to those important folks we put in tow vehicles. Just my .02...

 

[Tim Black]

I had a 2001 Tahoe with that motor and I pulled my 26' Eagle with a triple axle trailer with absolutely no problems, sometimes even towing it up the hills to Tahoe.

 

[AJDEAN955]

towed our 28 foot magic with are hoe....so your 22 shouldnt be an issue

 

[Leprekawn114]

I pulled my 21' Daycruiser with our 5.3 tahoe this weekend out to Havi...about 600 miles round trip. It averaged about 12-12.5mpg and pulled just fine.

I've also pulled a 8,000lb toyhauler too, but that was pushing it. It got the job done, but there was a too much strain on it. (25' with 3 quads, gear, etc.)

I use it a lot with my 14' utility trailer loaded with bikes/quads/gear and it takes that no problem, like it's not even there...but that's probably less than 2,000lbs

 

[Forensic]

I have an 05 Yukon SLT 2WD with the 5.3 and tow my Spectra 20 with it. I've towed from San Diego to Parker with zero issues. The boat is stored in Parker so I don't drive back and forth all the time but I wouldn't think twice about doing it once or twice a year.

 

[fed4life]

I have a 2011 Tahoe LTZ 2X4 with the 5.3 and 6-speed trans and heavy-duty tow package(3.42 gears) with 22" rims. I tow my 26' Cobra with a tripple axel Extreme trailer(approx. 5800lbs.) out to Havasu from San Diego with no problem. I make the drive about 4 times a year and havent had a problem yet. It gets a little warm when im going up the grade on the 10 towards Chiraco Summit but cools right down once i get to the top. I average about 12-13 mpg while towing, not towing i average 15 on the street and about 20 on the hwy.

The trans temp gets to about 215 degrees at its peak and the engine temp goes a little passed the standard 220 mark but like i said, once it gets to the top of the summit it cools right down to normal temps.

I usually have the 'hoe loaded up in the back and have 2-4 adults with me and the A/C blasting the whole time. I can deff feel the boat behind me if there is a STRONG wind but it has plenty of pull power, braking could be a little better but thats to be expected with 1/2 ton brakes and the size and weight of the boat.

Overall im very happy with my Tahoe and the ride is nice with Autoride Suspension that its in the Escalades and Denalis.