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

[15TahoeLT]

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.

 

[swathdiver]

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.

Have you searched Youtube? The previous generation is very similar underneath save for the rear axle, which the K2s went with several different 12-bolt models. That said, you can look up Avalanche videos and see their off-road prowess.

We've had our Yukon XL in the ocean surf, crossing swamps and streams, sugar sand, beach sand, thick mud and muck, etc. Nothing stopped it and 4LO got us out of trouble a few times even with KO2s for tires. I'm not an accomplished off-road driver either, just foolish enough to get into trouble! So far, haven't been stuck.

 

[AzCoronaDog]

I just purchased a 2017 Yukon XL Denali 4 days ago, and my 7" lift kit is ordered. This is replacing a 1990 Suburban 2500 with a 4" lift that I owned for 22 years and abused pretty hard off road. I plan to use this one in the same places, and looking forward to seeing how it does. MUCH bigger HP and torque numbers, and the IFS will be different, but I expect it will be great. Had a CJ Jeep before the 'Burb, worlds apart in how you have to drive them in the rough stuff, but the 'Burb's weight, width and wheelbase are not always bad things. I managed to get through some pretty rough stuff, mostly by carefully managing tire placement and wheel spin. The big truck can straddle things the CJ was forced to go through, so full throttle bashing was rarely needed.

 

[hcvone]

Live half the year in upstate NY, where the snow is feet deep, and many roads are not paved, many times using chains on all 4 wheels, had lifted trucks and suv's thru the years, with every off road tire made at one time or another, but the last 10 years I have had all wheel drive Escalade's, and put Blizzak tires on all 4 wheels, this has worked great in mud and snow, did the same thing with the callaway tahoe, with the tires, but being lowered it has to push a lot more snow, good thing it has a LOT MORE POWER

 

[DirtyD]

 

[swathdiver]

View attachment 235599

Awesome! Where's that at? That your Tahoe?

 

[OR VietVet]

View attachment 235599

That looks like Moab but could be wrong. That could be the Camel Back obstacle?

 

[DirtyD]

That looks like Moab but could be wrong. That could be the Camel Back obstacle?

It's in Overton NV.

 

[DirtyD]

Awesome! Where's that at? That your Tahoe?

Tahoe is mine. It's in Overton NV.

 

[OR VietVet]

You just never know where you will find good trails at. In the Tilamook Forest, NW area of Oregon, there are some nice trails but hardly any good rock crawling spots. There was some guys and gals that got together and hauled in rocks on to one of the easy trails and built a 40' wide and about 200' long rock crawling obstacle. Some of the rocks were 3'-4' diameter and that obstacle was where lots of people would just come and hang out all day to watch different rigs go thru it. Lots of fun.

 

[swathdiver]

Tahoe is mine. It's in Overton NV.

Cool, what have you done to it? Still hit the trails?

 

[cireallin]

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.

Absolutely. Mine sees a ton of sand and trails every summer. Much heavier than my older 4R I ran for years, but it still crawls everywhere I want to go with the extra clearance I added.

 

[GreyStone]

These trucks are tough and durable - just ask the Border Patrol or BLM. Their weak points are electronics and sensors.....they do not like to be jarred around like on washboard type terrain. The following is one of my favorite reads -

http://www.trucktrend.com/features/1706-2017-chevrolet-tahoe-first-drive-operation-midnight

 

[cireallin]

These trucks are tough and durable - just ask the Border Patrol or BLM. Their weak points are electronics and sensors.....they do not like to be jarred around like on washboard type terrain. The following is one of my favorite reads -

http://www.trucktrend.com/features/1706-2017-chevrolet-tahoe-first-drive-operation-midnight

Awesome read ^^. Thanks for sharing that.

 

[Solace]

Went off-roading this weekend. No lift or leveling kit, just a set of Pirelli Scorpion AT Plus. 2015 SSV w/ Max trailering package. Did awesome

 

[GreyStone]

Went off-roading this weekend. No lift or leveling kit, just a set of Pirelli Scorpion AT Plus. 2015 SSV w/ Max trailering package. Did awesome View attachment 244160

That's a serious looking SSV - love the bumper hardware! Thanks for the pic.....did you change rims - I think the last pic I saw of this truck it had black split spokes - steel is a better choice for off road tho, lookin good!

 

[Solace]

That's a serious looking SSV - love the bumper hardware! Thanks for the pic.....did you change rims - I think the last pic I saw of this truck it had black split spokes - steel is a better choice for off road tho, lookin good!

Yes I did, "upgraded" to the regular PPV 17" steelies with the new tires.

 

[Tonyrodz]

Awesome read ^^. Thanks for sharing that.

It really was. Wasn't look enough!

 

[nglauer]

I guess some might not consider this offroad, but I 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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[nglauer]

Got part of the skid plate setup tonight. Ebay had a great deal on the 2 piece below. Supposedly they are "new take offs". I'll just have to get the 3rd plate and bolts online. Seller is a military surplus seller... Makes me wonder what went on in place of these...

Still researching my options on a front push bumper with winch mount. Or possible just the Warn Max tray system with winch.

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