Tow Vehicle Q

[Bama Hammer]

My family of three is looking to purchase either a Passport 2400 or Bullet 243 in the next few months. We have a Tahoe 4x4 rated to tow 8500 lbs and am curious if that will be adequate.
I have a good deal of experience hauling utility trailers, but will the short wheel base of the Tahoe pose any issue with the TT?

Thanks!

[Canonman]

Our daughter and SIL, 2 kids have this same setup using the Passport 2400 BHWE. You don't mention how your Tahoe is configured. Theirs has a tow package and I think a 350 V8.
We've camped with them and followed them from the Oregon coast to Sun River, OR. This included several mountain passes as well as traveling over Mt Hood. No problems towing the Passport. I can't imagine anyone could possibly carry more "stuff" in their trailer than they do. Bikes, inflatable kayaks, you name it. I think the GVW on their TT is around 7,000 lbs. so should provide you plenty of headroom on the weight. Comparing the Tahoe and our short bed Ram, I'd say the wheelbase was pretty close to the same. Tahoe is basically a 1/2 ton truck chassis. That said, isn't this the perfect time to go for that new truck?:lol:
One recommendation would be to upgrade the factory tires on the TT. You can go up one size (225) and at least one load range (D or E) with no problem. Dealer might consider working this into the deal:)

[rjrelander]

Sure you will get a lot more comments on this but here is what I've got. Note that I am not a member of the weight police nor do I play one on TV. :)

It looks like the tow rating of 8500 lbs. would be with the (no payload) curb weight of the tow vehicle. The GCWR for the Tahoe (3.5L, 3.42 Axle, Max Tow Pkg.) is 14,000 lbs. minus the 8500 only leaves 5500 lbs. for the TV. "Okay everybody, put on your MC Hammer pants and fill them with helium." Actually, even helium wouldn't help since GCWR is really a combined mass rating. The Passport 2400BH has a 6800 GVWR so 14,000 minus the 6800 leaves about 7200 lbs. which is about the GVWR of the Tahoe so that checks.

The trailer is over 5000 GVWR so you will need a distribution hitch. The Passport 2400BH has a (dry?) hitch weight of 515 lbs. (10% of trailer GVWR would be 680, 13% is 884) and the ball mount, distribution, and sway control adds to that so your TV would see about 750 lbs of vertical payload from the trailer and hitch equipment (about three light HS football players.) The 1750 lb. payload capacity of the Tahoe (might be less) would leave you with about 1000 lbs. for your family, fuel, and anything not stowed in the trailer.

Long story short, it looks like you are okay since the Chevy Tahoe is basically an SUV body on a half ton truck frame. I have read elsewhere that the shorter wheelbase is okay as long as everything is hitched up level and you have good sway control. A weight distribution hitch (with sway control) is a must and you are close enough that you will want to find a scale to make sure the final numbers are correct. You also have about 2000 lbs. of trailer payload to play with to either travel light or rebalance as required.

[ctbruce]

Just an observation, but it appears that the advertising brochures are being quoted on Tahoe weights and not the actual sticker on the Tahoe itself. Same with the trailer numbers. This could lead to a lot of miscalculation and frustration. Just be aware.

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[Canonman]

YES, WDH and sway control are a must!! Good catch Randi. I forgot :facepalm: to mention SIL also has the Equalizer set up on his Tahoe. Absolute must do!

[rjrelander]

Just an observation, but it appears that the advertising brochures are being quoted on Tahoe weights and not the actual sticker on the Tahoe itself. Same with the trailer numbers. This could lead to a lot of miscalculation and frustration. Just be aware.

Yup. Without the stickers and details from the owner's manuals, estimates only get you so far. And as stated/argued multiple times elsewhere, the scale readings are what really count when you get close to the limits. The GCW (total mass) determines how much force (axle torque, brake pad contact force, etc.) is required to accelerate and decelerate. The axle weights (or tire weights) determine how much load is on the individual components (tires/springs/axles) keeping the truck and trailer frames off the pavement.

[Bama Hammer]

Awesome pointers, I very much appreciate all the advice. I will definitely look into the WDH and sway control as well. Hopefully we can be setup and on the road soon!

[sourdough]

When looking into the WDH make sure the sway control is integrated. The chain type with the attached sway controls do not work near as well as my Equalizer 4 point - which I recommend. I would also suggest looking at the TV tires. If you are running P tires you will be better off to go to LT.

[Tebpac]

Does this work or is this a more antiquated way of checking the weight?

Fill in your weights......


Tow vehicle

Curb weight = 4823 lbs
2 people = 320
Fuel = 180
Stuff = 50
Trailer tongue weight = 580
Total laden weight = 5953 (GVWR = 6400)

Trailer

Dry weight = 4499 lbs
Water = 400
Propane = 80
Stuff = 500
Total weight of trailer = 5479 (GVWR = 6158)

Gross combined weight = 5593 + 5479 - 580
= 10852 (GCWR = 14000)