Anyone actually use these trucks for off-roading? I'd love to hear feedback/experiences...

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cmhorns

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I'm just curious if anyone can provide positive/negative feedback on the 15+ SUVs in this regard. I do a fair amount of coal roads/trails in PA for various activities and one of the reasons I went with the Tahoe over the Ford Expedition was the solid rear axle + G80 locker. Size was a wash as I looked at Suburbans too. I know Ford uses the eLSDs but I'm not a fan, nor of the IRS in general. With that said, I haven't really taken this truck anywhere that would get a regular crossover or AWD high ground clearance vehicle stuck IMO.

I'm too scared I might scratch it! Or much worse break something , but one day (in the future) I will take it off road for real!

I would like to try off-road and in the mud with someone else's 2015-2020 or at least ride along!
 

nglauer

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I'm too scared I might scratch it! Or much worse break something , but one day (in the future) I will take it off road for real!

I would like to try off-road and in the mud with someone else's 2015-2020 or at least ride along!
I wouldn't be surprised if there have been some rental units that ended up off the pavement lol...

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PG01

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I don't really go offroad, but purchased my Tahoe for work purposes. I work on electrical transmission projects and travel all of our temporary access roads, many of which can be steep and narrow. I plan on adding a front push bumper or brush guard with a winch, skid plates and a leveling kit. I usually film the roads. I wish my Tahoe had the offroad screen so I could view the inclinometer. I may have to purchase an aftermarket one.
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You need to ditch that front airdam first and foremost....
 

nglauer

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You need to ditch that front airdam first and foremost....
I did. I cut it down to a 2" lip. I also debated on adding the factory tow hooks, but keep leaning towards a Weston push bar with winch. Or possibly just going with the Westin Max tray with winch and bullbar

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Captain Insaino

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With a level and skid plates it did a little better than my buddies sierra with the off-road package and long wheelbase. This is mostly unmaintained mountain and high desert stuff.
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Haven’t tried any super rocky or muddy stuff yet. I’m reluctant to try anything too gnarly without a two speed transfer case.
 

ivin74

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I don't really go offroad, but purchased my Tahoe for work purposes. I work on electrical transmission projects and travel all of our temporary access roads, many of which can be steep and narrow. I plan on adding a front push bumper or brush guard with a winch, skid plates and a leveling kit. I usually film the roads. I wish my Tahoe had the offroad screen so I could view the inclinometer. I may have to purchase an aftermarket one.
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I would love to be hitting up the trails everyday, must be a fun job.
 

swathdiver

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We've been taking ours into the country on my days off the last couple of weeks. Today was more wet and muddy. We had a gator cross in front of us and a beautiful 8-point buck with three does running from us and then later on two more does running alongside us. Spent about an hour in 4Hi and 30 minutes or more in 4LO. The splash shields work GREAT, the running boards used to be buried an inch deep in dirt or mud by now. Might head out to Plant Bamboo in a couple of weeks...
 

nglauer

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Looks like a meadow and not a right of way thoroughfare! Beautiful! So what do you do? Drive and make sure people haven't chained up roads and such?
Here's a better angle towards where I was parked earlier. I work as a construction support coordinator on new Transmission and Distribution Right of Ways as well as new Substation locations. My job is kind of a mixed bag of functions, however my main role is to be a buffer between the landowner and contractors through all phases of construction and reclamation. I also handle any damage related claims such as issues within the ROW (encumbrances, crops, timber, etc) and do some acquisition as needed. My background was mainly in the energy sector working with oil and gas infastructure so I also help with any oil and gas related issues we may encounter in the field (oil wells, pipelines, tanks, compressors, etc. within the ROW). I usually drive all the access roads on our lines and search for issues that could turn into a future damage claim. I also help coordinate with the various contractors when they are mobilizing in and out of landowner properties and make sure that all special conditions that were negotiated with that landowner are honored.
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swathdiver

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Here's a better angle towards where I was parked earlier. I work as a construction support coordinator on new Transmission and Distribution Right of Ways as well as new Substation locations. My job is kind of a mixed bag of functions, however my main role is to be a buffer between the landowner and contractors through all phases of construction and reclamation. I also handle any damage related claims such as issues within the ROW (encumbrances, crops, timber, etc) and do some acquisition as needed. My background was mainly in the energy sector working with oil and gas infastructure so I also help with any oil and gas related issues we may encounter in the field (oil wells, pipelines, tanks, compressors, etc. within the ROW). I usually drive all the access roads on our lines and search for issues that could turn into a future damage claim. I also help coordinate with the various contractors when they are mobilizing in and out of landowner properties and make sure that all special conditions that were negotiated with that landowner are honored.
8244b13c36b899c4b4ddcaf9f79856c4.jpg
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Great photos and cool job Nick! Thanks for sharing.
 

cheyenne383

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Between summer camping trips and winter survival I think I test the abilities of my Suburban pretty well... from -50F days in winter to old mining roads and creek crossings in the summer it has done well. I don't take it down narrow trails (don't want branch stripes) nor do I go to places that will push articulation limits (I have ATVs for hardcore trails) but it's never let me down. I am rarely in cell coverage on back roads and have right at 115k on it... still very pleased with my purchase over 3 years later. I'm leaving for another 750 mile round trip tomorrow... got 21.7 mpg on the last highway run.

With a good set of tires and a competent driver I don't see these having much trouble in most situations people would logically be willing to put an expensive vehicle. This winter mine is overdue for some maintenance love... hoping to add Bilstiens to level and a few other suspension upgrades and continue to enjoy the burb.

Denali National Park Road Lottery - 92 miles gravel/silt road.
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Typical winter look... holds the ground well in crazy weather.
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One of the roads my wife takes to work daily...
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Denali Hwy with 7 passengers and camping gear... comfortable and capable.
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GreyStone

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Between summer camping trips and winter survival I think I test the abilities of my Suburban pretty well... from -50F days in winter to old mining roads and creek crossings in the summer it has done well. I don't take it down narrow trails (don't want branch stripes) nor do I go to places that will push articulation limits (I have ATVs for hardcore trails) but it's never let me down. I am rarely in cell coverage on back roads and have right at 115k on it... still very pleased with my purchase over 3 years later. I'm leaving for another 750 mile round trip tomorrow... got 21.7 mpg on the last highway run.

With a good set of tires and a competent driver I don't see these having much trouble in most situations people would logically be willing to put an expensive vehicle. This winter mine is overdue for some maintenance love... hoping to add Bilstiens to level and a few other suspension upgrades and continue to enjoy the burb.

Denali National Park Road Lottery - 92 miles gravel/silt road.
50321736228_2842091b29_k.jpg

Typical winter look... holds the ground well in crazy weather.
50321736048_1900132b4c_k.jpg

One of the roads my wife takes to work daily...
50322581952_6b0093e689_k.jpg

Denali Hwy with 7 passengers and camping gear... comfortable and capable.
50322404676_839ad6c469_k.jpg
Amazing pics! - Thank you.......What year is your Burb? - and which tires are you running?
 
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nglauer

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Nick knows people in high places.
It's that $1000.00 per month Tapatalk Platinum Gold fancy membership I have lol. Actually... I'm not sure how that happened. I use Tapatalk from my phone. I kept adding photos and exiting it to field work calls. Then I'd open it back up after the call to try typing my response and add photos....

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nglauer

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Those are awesome pictures. I'm curious how my Duratracs will do in snow... Maybe not that much snow though lol.

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nglauer

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That's really cool. I feel like there isn't enough aftermarket stuff for our Tahoes. The last generation seemed to get a little more attention though. I don't understand why the aftermarket hasn't step up to offer additional stuff for the 2015+

Heck.. I would have like to have found aftermarket skid plates that protect everything including the gas tank.

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