2023 Tahoe - 5.3 7900 lbs max Towing

[TahoeNTexas]

Seeking opinions from the experienced owners here.

Looking ahead a few years and planning the RV to procure.

Vehicle
2023 Tahoe RST 2WD
5.3 L
No tow package

GVWR 7400 lbs
GCWR 14,000 lbs
RGAWR: 4300 LBS
Curb Weight: 4626 lbs
Max Payload: 1774 LSBS

SAE J2807 Trailer
Conventional TWR: 7900 lbs
Max Tongue Weight: 790 lbs

Will just be two of us traveling with a reasonable packing (not over packing). Thinking max trailer of 6200 lbs (likely 5800 lbs) and length 28-30 ft.

Thinking of replacing the rear springs to upgrade for heavy duty for trailer and add a brake controller. Wondering if it is plausible to upgrade the radiator and fan. Might switch the wheels and tires for towing.

Looks like this vehicle should be comfortable with that.

Bought this Tahoe as the price point and condition were right. The capacity looked comfortable.

Had a 2003 Tahoe before, was great but never did a travel trailer. Did some towing and it handled fine.

 

[PPK_]

i have a ‘24 yukon.. 4x4 slt 5.3 engine… the very first thing you need to do is install an etrailer 7 way controller for running the brakes on the trailer.. it took me two hrs to do.. my trailer is 4200 lbs with no water.. it pulls it fine.. 10 mpg.. other thing you need is hitch with a scale in it.. they are $200 bucks.. but worth it with a coil rear end.

 

[Geotrash]

At this point in time, I’m not aware of any helper spring set ups for the Tahoe’s with independent rear suspension. Sadly.

 

[TahoeNTexas]

At this point in time, I’m not aware of any helper spring set ups for the Tahoe’s with independent rear suspension. Sadly.

I have not looked into the rear suspension. Last vehicle I had that I towed with (not a Tahoe) I did air bags and followed up with replacing those with stiffer springs. Worked out. But that was a solid axle.

 

[Geotrash]

I have not looked into the rear suspension. Last vehicle I had that I towed with (not a Tahoe) I did air bags and followed up with replacing those with stiffer springs. Worked out. But that was a solid axle.

Yes, when GM went to the independent rear suspension on the Tahoe/Suburban platform, one of the trade-offs they made to get more interior room, was that owners lost the ability to beef up the rear suspension for towing the way we could with the solid axles of previous generations.

That said, we are starting to see the aftermarket come through with options. One of them is beefier springs: https://www.hdcoilsprings.com/produ...TqtbzV9-YkTbDMC0E4W62D1_zjruhdEQWSPo-nxJCZmmb

The trailer you're considering should be fine behind your Tahoe. We have a 7500 lb (fully loaded for camping) Alpha Wolf 26DBH-L that I pulled behind our 2012 Yukon XL Denali for years. The 6.2L was plenty of motor - even with the 6-speed. You have the benefit of the 10-speed so I suspect that 5.3 will do just fine. I pull it with a 2018 Suburban 3500 HD now (6.0L) and it's easy.

You may discover over time that it's sometimes hard to keep engine and transmission temps under control pulling over mountainous terrain in the summer. Keep in mind that the coolant is good to 265ºF and so is the fluid in the transmission, but if you run into any problems, we'll be here to walk you through additional options.

 

[15burban]

Thinking max trailer of 6200 lbs (likely 5800 lbs) and length 28-30 ft.

Do you mean gross weight for those numbers? Realistically there is no dry weight for a camper. Dry weight especially their listed tongue weights is a gimmick to get a guy to buy too much of camper. I really wish when we bought our camper new I would have stopped and got it weighed on the way home. I've seen a few weight scales from people who pulled new campers right off the lot that where 600+lbs over the supposedly dry weight listed by the dealer/manufacturer. Always go by gross weight and not dry weight.

 

[Capt Ed]

There are higher rate springs available from Chevrolet.

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2025/MC-11014580-0001.pdf

 

[jerry455]

Newer trailers are being made with a decal on the trailer, specifically for that trailer, with the weight as built.

 

[15burban]

Newer trailers are being made with a decal on the trailer, specifically for that trailer, with the weight as built.

Unless something has changed that weight still does not include propane tanks, battery(s), etc some don't even include awnings. All that little stuff adds up. So unless the dealership you are buying a new camper from gives you a scale ticket of the camper as it sits on their lot ready for delivery I would not go by the dry weight at all. It's a tactic to advertise the dry weight that way it appeals to more people who think they can pull it with their lighter duty vehicles. Every year around my area there's an rv show and the past couple years all the travel trailers have a somewhat decent sized sign in front of each of them listing the dry weight. Once they make the sale they could care less how your driving experience is.

 

[BacDoc]

Sounds like you should be fine with under 7500lbs for towing. 23 RST with the 5.3l is very capable truck even without towing package.

Important stuff is balance of the trailer, tongue weight and hitch height. These are just as critical as the total weight, horse power or torque.

When looking at the trailer/vehicle on level ground it is very important that the vehicle, tongue of the trailer and the trailer itself are straight line level. Assuming you have a double axle trailer you should see the load balance between the 2 axles and the hitch and you shoot for 10-15% of the total trailer weight on the tongue. It is better to go slightly more towards the 15% rather then under 10% if you are estimating.

Using a level is best but you can eyeball it. If the tongue looks higher or lower you can adjust the hitch height to get it level. I have a 3” hitch drop to my boat trailer level. Each trailer is different but the goal is to get it level.

Another thing to consider is the terrain. Flat smooth roads and you can go closer to the max numbers without problems. If you have steep grades and hills or bridges you want to avoid the max capacity.

If you consider these factors you should have no problem with your trailer adventure. When you get the trailer definitely post some pictures and the approximate weight and we can give you some better advice.

 

[TahoeNTexas]

Thank you everyone. Probably a couple years out for this. If we go with an RV, then the Tahoe pulling is one option. Might get a drivable RV and do a tag along.

Solid advise. The Tahoe is quite capable for what it is.