How deep in the water?

[BRETTLSMO]

2019 Z71 LT stock.

How deep in the water can I back my Tahoe?
Going to the lake and boat ramp is WAY FLAT....
I am guessing that i will have back down the ramp until my rear axle is over the top.

Last time I used this ramp I had a truck that I extended the vents into the engine bay.

So the question is? How deep can these stock Tahoe 2015-2020 get into the water?

Thanks.

 

[LT1ZOB]

As an avid watcher of YouTube boat ramp fails, I ask you to please not end up there. However, you're asking a great question that I'd love to know the answer too as well. Subscribed

 

[exp500]

As deep as you are willing to pay to fix! The old rule used to be up to the spark plugs deep, then boots got better and it became keep top of motor dry. Now I think halfway up the tires is probably going to cost you sooner or later. Too many wires. Dunking the rear in fresh clean water still have to check for water in oil. Axle seals or vent line under.

 

[swathdiver]

2019 Z71 LT stock.

How deep in the water can I back my Tahoe?
Going to the lake and boat ramp is WAY FLAT....
I am guessing that i will have back down the ramp until my rear axle is over the top.

Last time I used this ramp I had a truck that I extended the vents into the engine bay.

So the question is? How deep can these stock Tahoe 2015-2020 get into the water?

Thanks.

Well, the 2019 owner's manual says not drive into water deeper than the hubs, axle or exhaust pipe. The rear axle is sealed and there is a vent tube that exits several inches above the rear differential. Is yours a 4x4 with All-Terrain tires? I'd sure be leery about backing down that deep on a slimy, algae covered ramp even with my All-Terrains and engaged in 4LO! Wouldn't want to wind up on youtube!

Don't be this guy!:

 

[hcvone]

If you put the rear axle under water you should check the rear diff fluid, the vent tubes can crack over the years causing them to act like a straw and draw water into the diff, happens more than you think.

 

[George B]

Personally, I wouldn’t want to get the vent solenoid wet. There are enough issues with them as it is.

 

[Stbentoak]

Not to mention you could slip off the back edge of the ramp and then the party is really over....
Find a longer trailer tongue...

 

[Tonyv__]

Well, the 2019 owner's manual says not drive into water deeper than the hubs, axle or exhaust pipe. The rear axle is sealed and there is a vent tube that exits several inches above the rear differential. Is yours a 4x4 with All-Terrain tires? I'd sure be leery about backing down that deep on a slimy, algae covered ramp even with my All-Terrains and engaged in 4LO! Wouldn't want to wind up on youtube!

Don't be this guy!:

Something about the narration of these videos really grind my gears. But at the same time awkward silence is boring

 

[TollKeeper]

As deep as you are willing to pay to fix! The old rule used to be up to the spark plugs deep, then boots got better and it became keep top of motor dry. Now I think halfway up the tires is probably going to cost you sooner or later. Too many wires. Dunking the rear in fresh clean water still have to check for water in oil. Axle seals or vent line under.

Dont forget about the Air Compressor (if equipped)!

 

[Tonyrodz]

Well, the 2019 owner's manual says not drive into water deeper than the hubs, axle or exhaust pipe. The rear axle is sealed and there is a vent tube that exits several inches above the rear differential. Is yours a 4x4 with All-Terrain tires? I'd sure be leery about backing down that deep on a slimy, algae covered ramp even with my All-Terrains and engaged in 4LO! Wouldn't want to wind up on youtube!

Don't be this guy!:

Added insult to injury--pulled out by a ferd!

 

[Rocket Man]

Should have been somebody with a real truck to pull him out, with a Duramax.

 

[Cole123456]

Consider buying one of these.
https://extendahitch.net/
I saw them at the launch one day... definitely worth the money.

 

[Floep]

Don't forget the brakes, wet brakes don't stop very well and the caliper sliding parts will rust in a short time. Been there done that.

 

[GM_fan97]

Consider buying one of these.
https://extendahitch.net/
I saw them at the launch one day... definitely worth the money.

Didn't know something like that existed (don't tow much) but makes sense. I have a small jetski trailer, might get something like this https://www.amazon.com/CURT-45796-Receiver-Tube-Extender/dp/B0007M1FNM as the ramp at the marina has a decent angle.

I didn't realize the rear differential has a vent?? What is it venting? Anyway, glad I saw this thread - good to know these things.

 

[Cole123456]

Didn't know something like that existed (don't tow much) but makes sense. I have a small jetski trailer, might get something like this https://www.amazon.com/CURT-45796-Receiver-Tube-Extender/dp/B0007M1FNM as the ramp at the marina has a decent angle.

I didn't realize the rear differential has a vent?? What is it venting? Anyway, glad I saw this thread - good to know these things.

if 18inches will make a difference then yeah you could use that extender... i know truck owners that have a superhitch 4 foot extender which is made to go under a camper, so that you can tow... but the leverage is the wrong way... It makes it work for the camper, but its really hard from a towing/leverage/etc. a 4 foot extension on the truck side, increases your leverage of your ball weight, which cantelevers the weight off of the front tires of your truck....

with the extendahitch, you are actually increasing the length of the trailer tongue, which decreases pin weight, and therefore increases weight on your front tires.

why am i calling out front tire weight? bcause if you still get your back tires wet, your front ones are going to pull you out, and you don't want to decrease your weight on the front tires..
We tested a 250lb tongue weight on a 4foot super hitch, it took over 1k lbs off the front truck tires on the scale. (in comparison to not being hooked up)


where does this matter? its because shrimping is only open for 4 hours on the puget sound... so you launch at high tide, and your done at low tide...so its horrible time to pull out..

 

[Shunto]

2019 Z71 LT stock.

How deep in the water can I back my Tahoe?
Going to the lake and boat ramp is WAY FLAT....
I am guessing that i will have back down the ramp until my rear axle is over the top.

Last time I used this ramp I had a truck that I extended the vents into the engine bay.

So the question is? How deep can these stock Tahoe 2015-2020 get into the water?

Thanks.

Use the wifes Car. or buy something you dont care about.

 

[Doubeleive]

I would not recommend going any deeper than the top of the rear bumper, electrical stuff is all sealed, rear diff vent hose extends up near the gas tank.
any deeper than the rear bumper and then water starts getting in the vehicle. If it was a pickup no big deal.
behind the tail light housings there is nothing to stop water from entering the vehicle, you could go as deep as the bottom of the tail lights but that's it. unless you don't care if the carpet gets wet in back.

 

[89Suburban]

I have these on mine for about 10 years for my bass boat. Only need the trailer hubs half way dunked when launching. Bunks are dry and a few inches out of the water when I slide it off with a bow line to retrieve. Got a heavy roller on the rear of the trailer frame for the keel to roll off of. Driving back on only requires 3/4 of the trailer wheels submerged. Certainly helps for shallow ramps. Even of you can't power it on you can still winch it on easily. I can actually lay my boat on the ground and winch it back on with these bunks and he roller. Of course with the supply chain shot to shit right now they are out of stock. But I highly recommend them especially for aluminum hulls.

https://www.ultimatebunkboards.com/

 

[Tonyv__]

This deep is acceptable

 

[TollKeeper]

This deep is acceptable

I thought it was this deep..