2023 Tahoe Premier towing issues, no air ride

[Capt Ed]

When towing my 3500lb boat with 480lb tongue weight, I can really tell the boat is back there. It's not swaying and responds well to changes in direction's but the stock suspension feel's too soft with a lot of up and down movements. With my previous tow vehicle, a 2017 Audi Q7, I got very little feedback from the same rig.

Where should I start with add on improvements to lessen the trailer feedback but still retain the smooth ride the Tahoe provides?

 

[Big Mama]

welcome to the forum from Virginia. I’m assuming you don’t want to go down the path of a weight distribution hitch or stiffer rear springs as they’d affect your ride when not towing. You might look at Sumo springs. They’re basically bigger bump stops that take up the added tongue weight keeping your rig level.

 

[15burban]

Are those actual weights from a scale or just brochure weights? Not sure about boats but with campers the advertised weights are always lower then what it actually weighs. Even fresh off the showroom floor. Depending on the boat your tongue weight should be lower also 5-10% where yours is almost 14%.

 

[Capt Ed]

Weights are from CAT scales. Every thing I've read says tongue weight should be 10% to 15% of trailer weight. I weighed my rig fully loaded with all my fishing gear and a full tank of gas.

 

[olyelr]

I havnt seen much available yet for the new generation, in terms of aftermarket air bags and such. Because of the new design (coilover struts), its going to make it difficult for the aftermarket.

A weight distribution hitch may be your only option at the moment.

 

[Corvette Scott]

I have a Denali XL without air ride. I tow an open metal car trailer with a corvette , about 5000# total weight, I do not have a load distribution hitch. I haven't measured tongue weight, but the trailer is level, and the rig is slightly down in the back. I tow about 2500 miles a year and it is a dream, I don't even know the trailer is behind me. The factory brake controller was bad and I replaced it (before the recall came out).

 

[Big John]

When towing my 3500lb boat with 480lb tongue weight, I can really tell the boat is back there. It's not swaying and responds well to changes in direction's but the stock suspension feel's too soft with a lot of up and down movements. With my previous tow vehicle, a 2017 Audi Q7, I got very little feedback from the same rig.

Where should I start with add on improvements to lessen the trailer feedback but still retain the smooth ride the Tahoe provides?

I have a Denali XL without air ride. I tow an open metal car trailer with a corvette , about 5000# total weight, I do not have a load distribution hitch. I haven't measured tongue weight, but the trailer is level, and the rig is slightly down in the back. I tow about 2500 miles a year and it is a dream, I don't even know the trailer is behind me. The factory brake controller was bad and I replaced it (before the recall came out).

We love towing with our 21 premier, trailer around 4K loaded.

 

[Fless]

Moved you here from General Discussion.

 

[dbphillips]

Get an Equalizer hitch. We tow a 7500# GVWR high profile tandem axle travel trailer and it sags like crazy, even with the Equalizer, with no way to add helper springs/bags (shame on you, GM), but it tows like a dream. We traveled through an atmosheric river in Cali, with road signs advocating people don't drive for a few days and the rig was rock solid the whole way, even during panic braking to allow a handyman's pickup and debris to slide all the way across the freeway on its roof right into our path. We have a little wiggle occasionally, but after weathering the storm and never getting more than the wiggle, I no longer worry.

 

[Bigkevschopshop]

When towing my 3500lb boat with 480lb tongue weight, I can really tell the boat is back there. It's not swaying and responds well to changes in direction's but the stock suspension feel's too soft with a lot of up and down movements. With my previous tow vehicle, a 2017 Audi Q7, I got very little feedback from the same rig.

Where should I start with add on improvements to lessen the trailer feedback but still retain the smooth ride the Tahoe provides?

Personally I would bump your tires up when towing to max psi on the tires. This helps tighten things up a bit. The q7 vs the tahoe are a huge difference in suspension balance and feel. The low Center of gravity on the 7 helped make the feel of more planted and the suspension travel also has something to do with that.

You may look into different rear shocks. 480 lbs should not need any kind of equalizer or weight distribution hitch.

Another idea is upgrading the sway bars, this will help the load balance on the rear... plus add some driving fun when unloaded.

 

[trckrhntr]

I have not, yet, towed with my '23. So this is purely speculative.

When you weighed the rig and trailer, was the fuel tank on the boat full? Where is the fuel tank in relation to the trailer axle?

I'm wondering if the fuel level is causing abnormal weighting. Heavier when you head out and lighter when you're returning. Depending on the fuel capacity of the boat, this could be a lot of swing (a gallon of gas weighs about 6.5 pounds).

Also, depending on where the tank is in relation to the axle, the fuel "sloshing" could be changing the center of balance of the trailer. Adding and reducing tongue weight as you accelerate and stop. This would also have an odd feel during braking (a surging).

Again, all just speculation.

 

[Big Mama]

Great points. My old boat has a 60 gallon tank so I’m sure newer boats are larger.

 

[dbphillips]

Okay, these guys say their rear shocks are what I'm looking for: 85 psi unloaded, 110 psi towing. Uses the stock shock mount.

2021-2022 Tahoe, Suburban Yukon Rear Air Suspension Air Struts | eBay

Has a 1/2" npt port so you can add your own air system.

www.ebay.com

So, who's going to try them out?

 

[BacDoc]

When towing my 3500lb boat with 480lb tongue weight, I can really tell the boat is back there. It's not swaying and responds well to changes in direction's but the stock suspension feel's too soft with a lot of up and down movements. With my previous tow vehicle, a 2017 Audi Q7, I got very little feedback from the same rig.

Where should I start with add on improvements to lessen the trailer feedback but still retain the smooth ride the Tahoe provides?

I’m surprised that you are having issues towing less than 5000 lbs with your Tahoe Premier. What size engine? Maybe the towing package option is not available on your vehicle but it should still tow that load no problem.

 

[BacDoc]

I meant to say “less than 5000lbs”
Not sure how to edit my original comment

 

[Capt Ed]

I’m surprised that you are having issues towing less than 5000 lbs with your Tahoe Premier. What size engine? Maybe the towing package option is not available on your vehicle but it should still tow that load no problem.

My Tahoe has the 5.3 engine and is equipped with the Max Trailering System. Since my original post and a lot of fishing trips, I've come to realize the Premier does tow well for what is basically a large grocery hauler. No criticism intended, I like the smooth ride and don't do any serious off-roading.

I'm left with one thing to fix. My head lights were set too high. On low beams and not towing anything, I'd still occasionally get flashed by on-coming drivers. Towing the boat, my rear end drops 1 1/4" and I was constantly getting flashed.

Took it to a local dealer but they over corrected to the point I had to run high beams all the time just to see and no one ever flashed me. Found out they do not have the equipment to aim headlights, just took a guess on adjustment. Have an appointment with my selling dealer and they do have the proper equipment for the job.

Finally, I've made dozens of call and searched the internet for any solution to the rear end drop. I can find nothing.

 

[Stbentoak]

Air suspension or at least rear air bag support is helpful to mandatory if you are towing anything with decent weight. These things are sprung too softly otherwise.....
I tow a 5k Tritoon and without air it would really sag in the rear.

 

[dbphillips]

I'm left with one thing to fix. My head lights were set too high. On low beams and not towing anything, I'd still occasionally get flashed by on-coming drivers. Towing the boat, my rear end drops 1 1/4" and I was constantly getting flashed.

Took it to a local dealer but they over corrected to the point I had to run high beams all the time just to see and no one ever flashed me. Found out they do not have the equipment to aim headlights, just took a guess on adjustment. Have an appointment with my selling dealer and they do have the proper equipment for the job.

Finally, I've made dozens of call and searched the internet for any solution to the rear end drop. I can find nothing.

They don't have a flat garage floor, a wall, and a tape measure? Terrifying.

 

[Chud85]

Hey Cap't Ed, If I may chime in...2023 Tahoe Z71 with max trailering and max towing package, 6.2L performance package magnetic ride control and their auto leveling air ride (for lack of a better description). I tow 3 different trailers (2 enclosed and a tandem axle dump trailer) and a 24' boat (approx 6500# loaded) and been towing for close to 40 years. Tongue weight should be between 10-15% max. Only modification I made was upgraded sway bars. Truck tows nicely as is. Only complaint is fuel consumption when towing. Check your tongue weight, and as stated by others increase tire pressure to max (50psi?). Did your Tahoe come with any of the factory trailering options?

 

[Capt Ed]

Hey Cap't Ed, If I may chime in...2023 Tahoe Z71 with max trailering and max towing package, 6.2L performance package magnetic ride control and their auto leveling air ride (for lack of a better description). I tow 3 different trailers (2 enclosed and a tandem axle dump trailer) and a 24' boat (approx 6500# loaded) and been towing for close to 40 years. Tongue weight should be between 10-15% max. Only modification I made was upgraded sway bars. Truck tows nicely as is. Only complaint is fuel consumption when towing. Check your tongue weight, and as stated by others increase tire pressure to max (50psi?). Did your Tahoe come with any of the factory trailering options?

Thanks for your reply. My Tahoe has the max trailering package and magnetic ride. It does not have air ride.

Even at my original 480lb. tongue weight, I'm below the 15% upper limit. I've done everything I can to lower tongue weight. I moved boat back on trailer as far as I can and removed what weight I could from the front. I still get about 1 1/4" sag.

As far as I can tell, there are no practical solutions available for the IRR. https://www.tahoeyukonforum.com/thr...rket-airbags-for-towing-do-they-exist.132925/