You are here: Forums SUVs Chevrolet Suburban & Tahoe Chevrolet Suburban and Tahoe Towing Questions

Chevrolet Suburban and Tahoe Towing Questions

39 messages,  Last post on Dec 01, 2009 at 4:59 PM

You are in the Chevrolet Suburban & Tahoe Forum. Your Hosts are steve_ & tidester

What is this discussion about? Chevrolet Tahoe, Chevrolet Suburban, Chevrolet Tahoe Limited/Z71, Towing, SUV

Messages Page 1 of 4 1 2 3 4 Prev Next Last

Go To Msg # Search This Discussion

#1 of 39 Tahoe towing problem by terry32 Dec 13, 2006 (9:28 am)
I have a 1999 two wheel drive Tahoe. It has a towing package and fingertip steering, its loaded. I have had the allignment checked by four garages. Everything checks out great, no problems, I put on new tires, brakes, greased bearings,new rearend,new shocks. I can not tow anything over 60 miles per hour , 3000# trailer or a 500# trailer. If I go faster than 60 I start weaving all over the road. Truck had 55k when purchased, now 120k. Any thoughts? Replies to this message: ahightower (Dec 13, 2006 10:05 am) terry32 (Dec 13, 2006 6:55 pm) ahightower (Dec 14, 2006 8:33 am) and 1 more... arrie (Dec 16, 2006 10:37 am)
#2 of 39 Re: Tahoe towing problem [terry32] by ahightower Dec 13, 2006 (10:05 am)
Replying to: terry32 (Dec 13, 2006 9:28 am) Maybe you just need a better hitch. I'm not a trailering expert (not really any kind of expert), but I've read about anti-sway hitches. Try one of the discussion groups about towing in general, versus Tahoe specific boards. Replies to this message: terry32 (Dec 13, 2006 6:55 pm) ahightower (Dec 14, 2006 8:33 am) terry32 (Dec 14, 2006 7:20 pm)
#3 of 39 Re: Tahoe towing problem [ahightower] by terry32 Dec 13, 2006 (6:55 pm)
Replying to: ahightower (Dec 13, 2006 10:05 am) I pulled the same trailers with my suburban with no problems,I have a very nice equilizer hitch setup. Replies to this message: ahightower (Dec 14, 2006 8:33 am) terry32 (Dec 14, 2006 7:20 pm)
#4 of 39 Re: Tahoe towing problem [terry32] by ahightower Dec 14, 2006 (8:33 am)
Replying to: terry32 (Dec 13, 2006 6:55 pm) I always go for the obvious solution first. Next thought would be to make sure the weight you're towing is within the Tahoe's abilities, that the load is distributed as evenly as possible, and that you have good tires, properly inflated. Replies to this message: terry32 (Dec 14, 2006 7:20 pm)
#5 of 39 Re: Tahoe towing problem [ahightower] by terry32 Dec 14, 2006 (7:20 pm)
Replying to: ahightower (Dec 14, 2006 8:33 am) I am wondering if it may be the fingertip steering module is screwing up because of the extra weight of the trailer? It is a servo assisted steering module and it brings the steering back to center if it is off center. I have replaced the module, no change. My friend pulls a 500# trailer with his small chrysler van, 75+ miles per hour. I could not pull it over 60 mph, it tried to throw me in the ditch!
#6 of 39 terry 32 by catam Dec 15, 2006 (8:39 pm)
I don't know much about "fingertip steering" as an option.   However, some towing basics to be aware of are: 1) Keep your tires inflated to maximum cold PSI when towing. A good set of LT tires as oppsed to pasenger tires makes a huge difference, as you can inflate LT tires up to 80 PSI if needed. 2) Tongue weight of the trailer relative to the trailer weight should be 10%, excessively "light" or "heavy" tongue weight will cause the trailer to fish tail at high speeds. 3) A good Equalizer hitch with anti-sway can make all the difference. 4) Remember your Tahoe rear suspension is tuned for a comfortable ride for the occupants, (ie softer rear suspension). This means it is easier to overload the rear suspension, and create towing headaches. (unlikely to be your prob with a 500# trailer).   Also can you disable the "Fingertip steering", if so try towing without it and see what happens.
#7 of 39 Re: Tahoe towing problem [terry32] by arrie Dec 16, 2006 (10:37 am)
Replying to: terry32 (Dec 13, 2006 9:28 am) I would look at the tongue weight.   I have experienced a problem like this when a trailer had too high negative tongue weight, i.e. the hitch was lifted up too much with the trailer.   This could happen if the tongue weight is very small to start with and you drive fast. The wind resistance of the trailer exponentially increases with the speed. Force from the wind resistance tries to tilt the trailer backwards and causes lift on the hitch.   You said you pulled the same trailer with a Suburban without any problems. Well, Suburban is about a foot and a half longer so it has some extra weight compared to Tahoe.   The issue with too much negative tongue weight is easy to check. Just load your Tahoe with few hundred pounds of extra weight right at the rear end of the cargo hold and take it for a test drive.   Too much negative tongue weight causes your rear tires to loose grip and back of the truck starts sliding sideways.   The same issue, of course, can be caused by just too much negative tongue weight. Poorly loaded light weight trailer can create too much negative tongue weight and lead to the problem.   Then there is this little more uncommon explanation. Your truck and trailer form a "vibration system", which has a joint at the hitch. Under certain conditions the back of your truck can start pumping up and down as the trailer tilts backward and forward.   This problem you could also help with some extra weight in the cargo hold as the weight changes the natural frequency of this "vibration system". Another thing that changes the natural frequency is the springs. Your springs could be too soft or too hard for pulling your trailer but this explanation could be a bit too far fetch for this problem.   May I ask what kind of a trailer are you trying to pull?    Arrie
#8 of 39 reply by terry32 Dec 18, 2006 (3:04 pm)
I have pulled four trailers with this truck. The hauling trailer,4'x8', is not a problem when it is empty. The other trailers are as follows, 500# popup, 3500# travel trailer, 1500# Scotty travel trailer. I have adjusted my equalizer hitch so that these trailers sit level when being towed.Fingertip steering, there is a small motor with a computer module connected to the steering assembly somewhere, it keeps the truck on center. Replies to this message: jeff64 (Jan 31, 2007 11:05 am)
#9 of 39 Re: reply [terry32] by jeff64 Jan 31, 2007 (11:05 am)
Replying to: terry32 (Dec 18, 2006 3:04 pm) Terry32...I haven't seen any more on this subject since 12/18. Did you ever get this problem corrected? I'm thinking of purchasing an '03 Tahoe to pull a 5000 lb camper and I don't want the same problem to occur. If you took any of the advice, what helped? Thanks.

Messages Page 1 of 4 1 2 3 4 Prev Next Last

Go To Msg # Search This Discussion

You are here: Forums SUVs Chevrolet Suburban & Tahoe Chevrolet Suburban and Tahoe Towing Questions