96CELT4

Trying to make sense of Manufacture's tow ratings and I figured this was probably the most appropriate forum since many of us that race also tow our Corvettes

I've got two Chevy Tahoes now. A 2001 that I've had since new, and a new 2007 that I purchased last February. They both tow the Corvette + Sloan Kwik Load trailer with no problem. The trailer with Z06 corvette loaded, and all the racing gear and tires weighs in at 5,700lbs at the truck stop scales. However the difference in tow ratings between my two Tahoes has me a bit perplexed after I weighed both of them at a truck stop scale recently.

Here are the specs for the 2001 Tahoe:
Tow Rating: 7,800 lbs with the 3.73 rear end.
Engine: 5.3
HP: 285 TQ 325
Curb Weight 5,400 lbs (without driver, full tank of gas, with third row seats in the car)


Now for the 2007
Tow Rating 7,200 lbs with the 3.73 rear end.
HP 320 TQ 340
Curb Weight 5,600 lbs (without driver, full tank of gas, with third row seats in the car)

I initially chalked up the lower tow rating on the new one due thinking it was a LOT heaver than the 2001. While this is true I was a bit surprised it was only 200 lbs heavier. So with the new Tahoe I lose 600 lbs of towing ability for an about 200 lbs weight gain? 7,200 lbs tow rating just seems low considering the extra horsepower and torque the new one has. Anyone else think this is odd? Not that I'm going to run out install 4.10 gears in the 07, but just thought it was interesting. Anyone know how the car companies determine tow ratings? Is there a standard they all use?

Thanks,

Axelrod

What's the difference in the transmissions?

96CELT4

Both have a 4 speed automatic transmission. However I think the 07 may have a new design transmission.

Procrastination Racing

I'm pretty sure big factors in tow ratings are:

1. Lawyers - liability factor in accidents.
2. Warranty - how many parts will fail they have to pay for

The real ones are:

1. Brake capacity.
2. Load capacity.
3. Rear springs - rear axle capacity.
4. Tire loading capacity
5. Engine power.
6. Rear axle gearing.
7. Transmission gearing and cooling.

Our '02 Highlander was rated at 3500 lbs towing. That is nothing. While I had the truck loaded with rock building an area behind the shed, I had to move the trailer and my '79 from behind the shed to the front to put it in the garage. I hooked up the Highlander, figuring anything will work from the backyard to the front even if it is about 1500 lb overweight, and towed it around.

The Highlander towed it like nothing was back there, even with the rise in the yard. I know that isn't a real test, but there was no strain or effort at all.

When we traded it in, each dealer was very intense on finding out if I had ever towed anything with it. After the first did, I took the hitch off. The others still asked and required a signed statement to that.

I figure there must be warranty problems that they were looking to avoid on the next sale.

Remember when you could tow with your family car Impala or Chevelle? Now you have to have a big truck.

acrace

There's no industry-wide standard on tow ratings. Look for a SAE standard to be developed over the next couple of years.