Towing without trailering package on SUV

[packerblitz]

I’m debating between getting a used Tahoe/Yukon or Expedition. My main question is about towing a boat or pontoon. We would be towing about 4+ hours in the summer. Not positive on the weight of the boat/trailer/fuel/gear inside but lets say 4,500 lbs to be on the safe side.

Since we’re looking at buying used, most of the vehicles out there don’t have the trailering package on them. The Tahoe can tow 6,400 lbs on the base model V8, the Expedition can tow 6,000 lbs on the base model V6. Finding either model with the trailering package has been very difficult.

Would you be concerned about either of these vehicles for towing? I don’t want to get either vehicle if it’s seems like we’re damaging the engine every time we tow the boat on a long distance. We don’t want to get a pick up truck, we need the third row seats. Thanks in advance!

 

[dingbat]

I towed #4500 for a number of years with a Tahoe but it had the heavy tow package on it. Leveling shocks, trans cooler, etc.

Motor isn't the issue, the rear suspension is the problem.

Had auto adjust shocks on it. Big change in "confidence factor" when the shocks wore and needed replaced. $500 for a set of rear shocks. Used it as a good excuse to justify a new pickup

 

[robert graham]

Change the transmission fluid and filter more often when towing....air shocks on the back work great....I adjust my own air with my compressor...usually run about 140 PSI when pulling the boat, maybe 100PSI when not towing....Tahoes/Yukons are pretty stout vehicles and wouldn't anticipate any issues....

 

[QBhoy]

I’ve often towed 4000 lbs of boat and trailer with a BMW 530d GT. No bother at all.

 

[JimS123]

Autos have listed capacities with and without the package. Stay within the limits and you'll be OK.

 

[Starcraft5834]

I've towed my new toon 1800 toon- 360lb motor- trailer 1K+ ballpark 3500lb with a Honda Pilot which can tow 5K. worked fine... I prefer to tow with my GMC Sierra.... your Tahoe or Expedition will have no problems at all.. class 3 or 4 hitch is fine, pay attention to your trailer.. make sure it's in good shape.... nothing worse than bearing failure on road..

 

[Jeepster04]

Research what the towing pack came with and just add it. All manufacturers are different but it may just be an aux transmission cooler which can be added.

 

[JASinIL2006]

A lot of times, you run out of payload capacity before you exceed towing weight. Just be sure the tongue weight, plus the weight of all the vehicle's passengers and contents, is calculated to make sure you're not exceeding your vehicle's payload rating.

 

[Captain Caveman]

First of all....Go Pack!

Second, I'm going to assume that you are in Wisconsin but that could be completely wrong. It does make a difference though. Four hours is a long drive and exactly what I do from the Twin Cities to northern MN all summer. It's mostly flat so my tranny doesn't have to do much shifting. If you are towing in the summer through the foothills of North Carolina or mountains of Colorado, that would be a big difference from towing in 4hrs in Wisconsin. That difference would certainly dictate whether or not a transmission cooler is warranted. The engine should handle the load. It's all of the other stuff that usually comes in a towing package that makes it worth it:

- tranny cooler
- stronger hitch
- beefed up suspension
- bigger brakes
- towing mode (higher shift points, engine braking ,etc)

 

[Lowlysubaruguy]

5000 pounds behind a Tahoe Suburban Expedition with decent tires and shocks is not a problem even 6000 pounds with or without a factory tow package

Trans cooler may or may not be a good idea some cool trans fluid improperly and some are junk crap buy an inner cooled cooler if you do there not cheap make sure the hoses are not damaged or kinked on the install its easy to do.

Load leveling hitch is always a plus but these rigs are balanced pretty well and there wide enough to be pretty stable.

Myself i would run E rated tires I do so on everything I tow with. If you have lesser tires and upgrade to an e rated tires this is one thing you will feel on the spot. Not to mention the sidewalls are ugh stronger and resistant to punctures.

 

[poconojoe]

A lot of the trucks already have trans coolers, even without a trailer package. I know most recent GM's do. You can very easily setup a truck to tow properly. Just buy the frame type hitch for under $200 and the plug and play wiring harness. They are easy to install. Depending on the truck, you may have to remove the factory rear frame bar and replace it with the new one that has the hitch. My 2016 Colorado was like that. That Colorado even had the tow/haul mode for the transmission.

The one I did for my daughter's Ram just bolted to the frame, nothing had to be removed.

The only thing you may not have is the rear locking differential that comes with the factory tow package (GM). My Colorado didn't have the locker and I never had a problem towing, launching or retrieving the boat.

Never use the hole in the bumper to tow any significant weight.

 

[McGR]

I was a bit concerned when I bought my Jeep Commander over 10 years back that it didn't have a towing package. Since then I have added coil assist shocks. Other than that, I just stay on top of the maintenance. I just did an 800 mile round trip with it last week without issues and turned over 200K on the way to work on Tuesday.

BTW, I don't care what they say - change your oil every 3K!