Hello from Arizona - 2013 Tahoe

[scot_c]

Just bought a 2013 Tahoe LT 4WD for off-road car camping. I sleep in the back and removing one rear bucket seat and the 3rd row gives me plenty of room. I usually camp up North in the forests, would like to get together with any other Tahoe (or other) campers who like to explore the back roads.

 

[swathdiver]

Just bought a 2013 Tahoe LT 4WD for off-road car camping. I sleep in the back and removing one rear bucket seat and the 3rd row gives me plenty of room. I usually camp up North in the forests, would like to get together with any other Tahoe (or other) campers who like to explore the back roads.

Welcome Scot, there are quite a few folks on here who do that, @Tozan being one of them.

What are your plans for it and do you have any photos yet to share?

 

[scot_c]

Welcome Scot, there are quite a few folks on here who do that, @Tozan being one of them.

What are your plans for it and do you have any photos yet to share?

I bought used factory skid plates (oil pan and transfer case), am looking for a metal front splash guard to replace the factory one, and a rear diff shield. Next is a 2" lift (recommendations?) and KO2s, not sure how big to go. I'm 68 and had 285/75 X 16s on a 96 K1500 20 years ago. Not sure I could handle them now if I had to change a tire. That's all I'm planning for now, not planning to do any extreme 4 wheeling.

 

[swathdiver]

I bought used factory skid plates (oil pan and transfer case), am looking for a metal front splash guard to replace the factory one, and a rear diff shield. Next is a 2" lift (recommendations?) and KO2s, not sure how big to go. I'm 68 and had 285/75 X 16s on a 96 K1500 20 years ago. Not sure I could handle them now if I had to change a tire. That's all I'm planning for now, not planning to do any extreme 4 wheeling.

If you search, there are posts about the metal splash shields. Pete has one, @PG01

Did your Tahoe come with 17, 18 or 20 inch wheels? Or are you changing wheels? You can easily run a 285-70-17 with a level (2"). Anything more requires trimming.

 

[Miami-Dade]

Welcome from Miami Beach Scot!

 

[OR VietVet]

Welcome to the forum from Oregon

 

[scot_c]

If you search, there are posts about the metal splash shields. Pete has one, @PG01

Did your Tahoe come with 17, 18 or 20 inch wheels? Or are you changing wheels? You can easily run a 285-70-17 with a level (2"). Anything more requires trimming.

Thanks for the link to Pete.

Unfortunately, I have 20" rims. Must have been an option in 2013, as the only size wheel I've run KO2s on is 16"
I don't want to spend the money on new wheels, but am wondering how tires, especially stiff sidewall tires like KO2s, air down on 20" wheels. Just not sure how well 20" wheels will perform off road.

 

[Miami-Dade]

Just bought a 2013 Tahoe LT 4WD for off-road car camping. I sleep in the back and removing one rear bucket seat and the 3rd row gives me plenty of room. I usually camp up North in the forests, would like to get together with any other Tahoe (or other) campers who like to explore the back roads.

You might want to consider posting in the [Southwest] Regional Section . You might find other campers that way.

 

[RED TAHOE LS]

Welcome to the forum from Georgia Bulldog Country

 

[Joseph Garcia]

Welcome to the Forum from NH.

Lots of knowledgeable folks here who freely share their knowledge, experiences, and perspectives. Knowledge is power.

I hope that you will become a participating member in the Forum's discussions.

Pics of the truck, please.

Folks here have often said that the 20" wheel is not the best wheel size for offroading, so it depends on how serious your offroading adventures are.

 

[scot_c]

You might want to consider posting in the [Southwest] Regional Section. You might find other campers that way.

Thanks!

 

[Tozan]

Yea if you are not wanting to get too crazy out there big tires are not very necessary just stay away from washed out roads. I have 35's on mine and changing a 106 pound tire is not an easy task when off road. If you get a lift be sure to get a jack too lift it up too.

I live near Wickenburg and would be up for a camping trip when it starts cooling down.
If you want some ideas on modifications check out my build and feel free to ask questions..

I have a full size sleeping area and behind the front passenger seat is a 12 volt refrigerator. This set up gives you a ton of storage space.

 

[scot_c]

Yea if you are not wanting to get too crazy out there big tires are not very necessary just stay away from washed out roads. I have 35's on mine and changing a 106 pound tire is not an easy task when off road. If you get a lift be sure to get a jack too lift it up too.

I live near Wickenburg and would be up for a camping trip when it starts cooling down.
If you want some ideas on modifications check out my build and feel free to ask questions..

That's a cool setup. I took out the passenger side rear bucket and 3rd row seats so I have a 6+foot by 24" sleeping space plus the other 24" side for storage. Will send pics when I get home from vacation (not in Tahoe). I wanted to keep seating for 3, or more if I put 3rd row seats back in. I had 265/70 R16s on a Toyota 4 runner and they were fine for what I did. But getting an extra inch of clearance under the differential would be nice with bigger tires.
I'd like to do a camping trip with you. I've never camped near Wickenberg or that part of the state. I hope to get up north in the next few weeks or so, once I get the Tahoe fixed up.

 

[scot_c]

"Just bought a 2013 Tahoe LT 4WD for off-road car camping."

Some of you wanted me to post pictures, etc. Details are: 2013 Tahoe LT with 125,000 miles, 4WD, 2 speed transfer case, completely stock. Photos attached.
Immediate mods are minimal at this point: Skid plates (used factory), KO2s. Future mods are possibly mild lift (2 to 2.5" so I can keep stock suspension). Problem is I've got the self-leveling (Novimat?) rear shocks and not sure if a simple spacer will work. Would like to add metal front engine splash guard and rear differential protection. Might fabricate fuel tank skid plate.

I've used a 96 Toyota 4Runner and a 2017 Subaru Forester for car camping. Loved the 4Runner but the Subaru didn't have enough head room. Plenty of room all around with the Tahoe.
Photos are stock vehicles, loaded interior (a work in progress) and interior unloaded for sleeping. I always remove the gear on the right to set up camp, so sleeping in the truck is much easier than setting up a tent. If you can't tell, I took out the right 2nd row bucket seat and the 3rd row seat. Their brackets make good tie-down points.
Three of the bins contain rescue/emergency gear. I carry a lot since I usually travel alone.

When I get around to it, I'll post a link to an inventory of what I carry since it'll be too long for a forum post, unless someone has a better idea.

The gear is either tied town or stowed so that one piece supports the other. It would be chaos in an roll over, so I'm still working where and how to stow everything.

Scot_c

 

[swathdiver]

Some of you wanted me to post pictures, etc. Details are: 2013 Tahoe LT with 125,000 miles, 4WD, 2 speed transfer case, completely stock. Photos attached.
Immediate mods are minimal at this point: Skid plates (used factory), KO2s. Future mods are possibly mild lift (2 to 2.5" so I can keep stock suspension). Problem is I've got the self-leveling (Novimat?) rear shocks and not sure if a simple spacer will work. Would like to add metal front engine splash guard and rear differential protection. Might fabricate fuel tank skid plate.

I've used a 96 Toyota 4Runner and a 2017 Subaru Forester for car camping. Loved the 4Runner but the Subaru didn't have enough head room. Plenty of room all around with the Tahoe.
Photos are stock vehicles, loaded interior (a work in progress) and interior unloaded for sleeping. I always remove the gear on the right to set up camp, so sleeping in the truck is much easier than setting up a tent. If you can't tell, I took out the right 2nd row bucket seat and the 3rd row seat. Their brackets make good tie-down points.
Three of the bins contain rescue/emergency gear. I carry a lot since I usually travel alone.

When I get around to it, I'll post a link to an inventory of what I carry since it'll be too long for a forum post, unless someone has a better idea.

The gear is either tied town or stowed so that one piece supports the other. It would be chaos in an roll over, so I'm still working where and how to stow everything.

Scot_c

Should not have Nivomats from the factory. If your RPO sheet has Z55 and G69, you have AutoRide, rear air shocks with a compressor. Check out the plates used under the pick up trucks, they also have 26 gallon fuel tanks, and see if they might work for you.

 

[CaptainAmerica1]

2” lift and 2” shock extenders

 

[scot_c]

Should not have Nivomats from the factory. If your RPO sheet has Z55 and G69, you have AutoRide, rear air shocks with a compressor. Check out the plates used under the pick up trucks, they also have 26 gallon fuel tanks, and see if they might work for you.

I have the ZW7 suspension, Premium Smooth Ride, that I understood to have the Nivomats.

Thanks for the suggestion on the pickup skid plates.

 

[swathdiver]

I have the ZW7 suspension, Premium Smooth Ride, that I understood to have the Nivomats.

Thanks for the suggestion on the pickup skid plates.

Not from the factory, Nivomats were used on the 800s and not the 900s. You have the plain and easy to maintain suspension, the rear end should stick up about 3 inches or so more than the front when unloaded. You can more easily choose which lift kits you want.

 

[scot_c]

Should not have Nivomats from the factory. If your RPO sheet has Z55 and G69, you have AutoRide, rear air shocks with a compressor. Check out the plates used under the pick up trucks, they also have 26 gallon fuel tanks, and see if they might work for you.

I just found a reference list that says 900's with just the ZW7 code have standard shocks and springs but if it also has the G65 code, it has auto-leveling (Nivomat). I don't have the g65 code, so looks like I'm OK to swap out shocks or add spacers.

 

[scot_c]

I just found a reference list that says 900's with just the ZW7 code have standard shocks and springs but if it also has the G65 code, it has auto-leveling (Nivomat). I don't have the g65 code, so looks like I'm OK to swap out shocks or add spacers.

Oops. Looks like you posted that chart. Thanks, it made things a lot clearer.