jrbartlett Posted January 11, 2003 Share Posted January 11, 2003 Does anyone have experience towing a 9,000-pound trailer with a four-door Tahoe (regular, not the XL)? I'm curious about trailer sway, etc. I know bigger is better (I already have an F-250) but bigger is also harder to live with day to day. Comments? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 11, 2003 Share Posted January 11, 2003 I have a 9000# trailer/car combination and I wouldn't consider pulling it with anything less than an XL wheelbase. Also I would not consider pulling that weight with anything less than a 454 or it's liter equivalent, and I do not believe you can get those big engines in a Tahoe/Yukon.Of course if you never go near a mountain, you could probably get away with a 350/5.3L. With that weight you need all the power you can get to keep you out of trouble in an emergency. Enough power, properly applied, can straighten out a fishtailing trailer.Personally I tow big, heavily loaded trailers with a Yukon XL with an 8.1 LBut of course that is just my opinion based on my personal trailer hauling experience.hvs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DizzyDale Posted January 11, 2003 Share Posted January 11, 2003 I can only speak from my own experences.the longer the wheelbase the smoother the ride.As for power depends on you being a Ford,Chevy,Dodge guy.I used a 454 Suburban for years,NO problems, i also borrowed a pals extended cab Ford pick-up with turbo diesel for power.YAHOO,nothing like a little TORQUE,both got pretty good fuel mileage as long as you stayed under 70 mph.As always just my 2-cents.diz <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Restorer32 Posted January 11, 2003 Share Posted January 11, 2003 About a year ago I purchased what, in my opinion, is the ultimate tow vehicle. Bought a 3/4 ton Dodge Extended Cab 24 Valve Turbo Diesel at my Son's urging. Couldn't ask for more. Tow large enclosed trailers often with large, heavy Classics over the hills of Pa with little effort and in relative luxury. Recently hauled a '31 Packard Super 8 to and from a show North of Boston, averaged about 16 mpg. The weight and sheer power of the truck lends a feeling of safety to the whole affair. After 30 some years as a Ford man the change wasn't easy to accept but I have only praise for the Cummins Diesel..I have a friend in the trucking business who runs 5 of them constantly, racking up 300,000 miles or so with not even a tuneup, one local truck is approaching 750,000 with just regular engine service. You do need to put up with the noise, but the truck has been a pleasure to drive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Dix Posted January 11, 2003 Share Posted January 11, 2003 We've got a Tahoe as well and if I recall correctly it's rated at 7000 for a trailer. I think 9000 is pushing it, no pun intended!How about an Expedition, 250 Surburban, Freightliner.... <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R W Burgess Posted January 11, 2003 Share Posted January 11, 2003 jrbartlett, Regardless of whether you get a Chevy, Ford, or whatever, if you're going new vehicle and plan to pull a lot, a dually/ dual rear wheels is the only way to go. It will cut out all your swaying problems. I have a long wheelbase Chevy pickup, which is fine, but my wife could drive a dually with no problems. They're not cheap though. I thought I saw you say money was no object! Wayne Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ex98thdrill Posted January 11, 2003 Share Posted January 11, 2003 I have a '99 Chevy ('98 body style) extended cab with a 350 in it. When I bought that truck new, they had both body styles sitting on the lot side by side, and the newer style chevy's didn't have the payload or the 350 that the older style truck had. Although my truck does the job very well, I wouldn't even think of attempting it with anything less, and have already decided that my next tow vehicle is going to a 3/4 ton. As for what a few of the others have said, the longer the wheelbase the smoother the ride, is definately an accurate statement. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Moskowitz Posted January 11, 2003 Share Posted January 11, 2003 Local towing should work out for you but I would be real nervous being on the highway with a short wheelbase tow vehicle and 9000 lbs. behind me...not worth the risk in handling and you will be putting a severe strain on your tow vehicle as it was not meant to handle that significant of a load. Listen to the advice above, many of these guys have been doing it for a loooong time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 11, 2003 Share Posted January 11, 2003 If you are not ready for the noise and smell of a diesel, consider the FORD V-10 I have a super duty F250 full four door with a short box and believe me with the exception of gas mileage this is a great tow vehicle. Towing fully loaded ( 9,000 lbs ) I average about 9+ MPG over all terrains and full out on the interstates. My 2002 vehicle performs well with the 3:73 gears---my last truck had 4:11 and was wound out at 70MPH.No problems with the V-10 Just my comments--------SKY Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter J.Heizmann Posted January 11, 2003 Share Posted January 11, 2003 First, welcome to the forum...If you go to the top, click on "Search".--AACA General Form...--Words to search for: "TRAILERS"--Date range: Click on "ALL".--Click on "submit".This subject topic has come up many times over the years, and, it is a perpetual one. Granted, there will be other non-related posts mixed in, however, there are many very useful posts over the years concerning trailers, types, towing tips. They are from some extremely experienced folks on the forum.Regards, Peter J. <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R W Burgess Posted January 12, 2003 Share Posted January 12, 2003 Sky, I want to say, I'm surprised that your V-10 Ford gets 9 mpg. My 2 wheel drive 2000 Chevy with the 285hp small block only gets 8 mpg on the highway averaging 65-70 mph. My truck does get 21 mpg deadheading without the trailer. I'm sure you have much more torque though than my Chevy does. Good information for people afraid to buy a big block "gasser". Thanks, Wayne Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave@Moon Posted January 12, 2003 Share Posted January 12, 2003 Sky,9 mpg on the highway is about what I've heard for the V10, loaded or unloaded. I know of a few in urban city driving in Pittsburgh (hilly) that have yet to break 6 mpg around town! I think it is important to consider what other uses the vehicle is going to recieve. I had a friend in Pittsburgh who bought a diesel extended cab F250 to tow his boat. The problem was he was then stuck with it as his primary vehicle. These things often don't fit in conventional parking lot spaces, to say nothing of their high fuel and maintenance costs. (Diesel maintenance, especially oil change costs, often offset fuel savings--especially if you're <span style="font-style: italic">not</span> running up the miles between changes like a fleet truck would!) He cursed that truck every day he wasn't towing a boat with it, about 363 days per year.One thing to seriously consider is how often you need to tow your trailer. If your going to have it out several times a year and can afford to dedicate a vehicle to it's use, by all means go for it. However if this is only going to be a one or two times a year event it could be substantially cheaper to rent trucks of sufficient capacity.Of course that'd depend on distance towed, etc. But especially if you're going to have to use the tow vehicle as a daily driver, the savings can easily run into the thousands of dollars per year. And that's to say nothing of the unnecessary environmental degradation that comes from driving an oversized vehicle for your needs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Stoneberg Posted January 12, 2003 Share Posted January 12, 2003 Dave,Come on now, All my friends (an me too) drive the big dually Pickups or Large Suburbans or Expiditions. Usually we are by ourselves sitting on the freeway fighting traffic. What better place to have a large truck or a Suburban ? We might need it though to pick up a bag or two of groceries or a 4 X 8 sheet of plywood. Just in case, we have the vehicle to handle it.True it cost 50 bucks to get the oil changed and 60 - 75 bucks to fill the tank once a week, but we feel safe cause they are the same size as 90 % of the traffic around us.Besides, if I want to take a trailer someplace, I have the vehicle for it.Dont make me give up my truck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave@Moon Posted January 12, 2003 Share Posted January 12, 2003 <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> Dont make me give up my truck. </div></div> That voice in the back of your head isn't me, Bill! <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
juddman Posted January 12, 2003 Share Posted January 12, 2003 For a Comrade!http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1876486864 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Green Posted January 12, 2003 Share Posted January 12, 2003 Jrbartlett, As you can see there are a lot of good tow combinations. From my experenice I use to have a Suburban with the standard 350 engine and it had problems towing a 9000 plus pound load. It was not safe! Switched to a full size 4 door 3/4 ton Chevy with a 350 Vortex engine and it rides and tows excellent. It can be somewhat of a pain when used daily due to its length finding parking spots as I had a brush guard installed. In any case you need to install the sway bar attachment (around $95) which will stop any wandering when towing and load level bars which will help you contol your tongue weight which is very important. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 12, 2003 Share Posted January 12, 2003 Truck usage----Yes I agree that if I had to use my F-250- Super Duty V-10 daily I would be in the poor house. I am fortunate enough to basically use my truck for trailering, and flea market activities. It is now covered in the garage waiting for Spring----My daily driver is a Buick---LeSabre which is one of the greatest cars ever built----On my trips I average 32-33 MPG and 25 around town--add lots of room and comfort to boot----Amen SKY Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DizzyDale Posted January 12, 2003 Share Posted January 12, 2003 Upon further thought,ANY big block will do,ANY diesel will do,DO yourself a BIG favor,get yourself the STRONGEST transmission available with whatever engine you decide.NEVER had any engine problems,only trans.problems.As always just my 2 cents diz <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 12, 2003 Share Posted January 12, 2003 Agree with Dizzy------Since I use my truck mostly under load, I have a full tranny service every 10,000 miles----watch your temperature, service and don't beat it too hard-----Never any problems--------SKY Maintenance will always pay in the long run---------------- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave@Moon Posted January 12, 2003 Share Posted January 12, 2003 One further thought occurs after reading DizzyDale's response. I was talking to an engine rebuilder in Pittsburgh once who was making a fortune off of the RFG/oxygenated fuels that were sold in the Harrisburg and Philadelphia areas. He told me that at least once a week (this would've been in 1997 or 98) he'd get an older model truck or RV in that filled up in eastern PA and tried to pull the Allegheny Mountains on the PA Turnpike. They'd burn themselves out regularly running way too lean for the pull over the mountains. This one shop was getting at least one engine a week under these circumstances. So especially if you're going to be towing to Hershey, it may <span style="font-style: italic">not</span> be wise to asssume that just any big block will do. For any modern truck that'd be the case, but if you decide to use a more vintage vehicle (i.e. without at least an OBD 1 system), especially an engine that has soft valve seats that weren't meant to handle unleaded, be very wary of what fuels you use and be prepared to adjust the carb accordingly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ex98thdrill Posted January 17, 2003 Share Posted January 17, 2003 To add with sky's post. If you're buying a new vehicle, pay the extra money for the extended warranty. If you lose one transmission, the cost of the extended warranty will have paid for itself and SAVED you money. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now