Towing 16ft Cargo Trailer

[indodust]

I’m moving from Southwest Florida to Chicago area. I can get a solid deal on a 16ftx6ftx6ft dual axle trailer 2800 lbs empty, with breaks and new tires. My Tahoe can do up to 6400lbs. I wouldn’t be loading to the brim, just necessities and bulky furniture that I don’t want in a pod.

My Tahoe is 2020, 5.3 V8 LT 4x4 withOUT the max trailering package.
Would this kill my trans?
I’m going to be getting new tires, flush coolant, break check (only 6 months old).
Is my factory installed hitch ok?
If I need a trailer break controller, links are appreciated.
I’ve towed cross country before but not in this. I know to keep it right lane, 65-70.
Any other help would be great.

Thanks!

 

[Bigburb3500]

I’m moving from Southwest Florida to Chicago area. I can get a solid deal on a 16ftx6ftx6ft dual axle trailer 2800 lbs empty, with breaks and new tires. My Tahoe can do up to 6400lbs. I wouldn’t be loading to the brim, just necessities and bulky furniture that I don’t want in a pod.

My Tahoe is 2020, 5.3 V8 LT 4x4 withOUT the max trailering package.
Would this kill my trans?
I’m going to be getting new tires, flush coolant, break check (only 6 months old).
Is my factory installed hitch ok?
If I need a trailer break controller, links are appreciated.
I’ve towed cross country before but not in this. I know to keep it right lane, 65-70.
Any other help would be great.

Thanks!

Should be fine. Weight does creep up fast but 6400lbs is more than most ppl will tow as that is a pretty big boat (for comparison).

Keep an eye on the trans temp and don’t push it (like you have already said). Others can opine on brake controllers as I don’t have a ton of experience, most I have used have been integrated OEM controllers.

 

[strutaeng]

Does your truck have a transmission oil cooler? If not, you should bring able to one easily.

I don't know if your route has a steep grades (probably not?), but at least you will be driving in the cooler months of the year, so that dill help towing and heat management.

 

[Trilla_one]

I've heard good things about the Tekonsha controllers. A weight distributing hitch would be a good idea too to help with sway

https://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Brake-Controller/Tekonsha/90195.html?hhyear=2020&hhmake=Chevrolet&hhmodel=Tahoe

 

[Bigburb3500]

I've heard good things about the Tekonsha controllers. A weight distributing hitch would be a good idea too to help with sway

https://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Brake-Controller/Tekonsha/90195.html?hhyear=2020&hhmake=Chevrolet&hhmodel=Tahoe

Make sure I’m not wrong when I say this but does the trailer need to have part of the weight-distribution system installed on it? If so I think the trailer needs to be reviewed as well.

 

[Bigburb3500]

I’m moving from Southwest Florida to Chicago area. I can get a solid deal on a 16ftx6ftx6ft dual axle trailer 2800 lbs empty, with breaks and new tires. My Tahoe can do up to 6400lbs. I wouldn’t be loading to the brim, just necessities and bulky furniture that I don’t want in a pod.

My Tahoe is 2020, 5.3 V8 LT 4x4 withOUT the max trailering package.
Would this kill my trans?
I’m going to be getting new tires, flush coolant, break check (only 6 months old).
Is my factory installed hitch ok?
If I need a trailer break controller, links are appreciated.
I’ve towed cross country before but not in this. I know to keep it right lane, 65-70.
Any other help would be great.

Thanks!

Do you know the GVW of the trailer? What is its capabilities? If the total weight is less 4500lbs I think I’m going to say you are going to be fine. Trailer brake controller would be the biggest recommendation to help with trailer stability. Weight distribution might be overkill.

My dad tows his 22ft ocean fishing boat (~7500lb fully loaded + trailer) with his 2500 without weight distribution hitch. The weight distribution systems can add up quickly. BUT tow safely. That’s the biggest thing. Don’t cheap out just because it’s “only one trip.”

 

[Pressureangle]

You can cut out the worst of mountain towing by cutting over to Montgomery, AL from Tifton, GA and at your relatively low speed you won't even lose much time.

 

[indodust]

Does your truck have a transmission oil cooler? If not, you should bring able to one easily.

I don't know if your route has a steep grades (probably not?), but at least you will be driving in the cooler months of the year, so that dill help towing and heat management.

Transmission oil cooler: if it didn’t come from the factory, then no.

Have to drive through Tennessee, so yeah Appalachian Mts.

 

[indodust]

You can cut out the worst of mountain towing by cutting over to Montgomery, AL from Tifton, GA and at your relatively low speed you won't even lose much time.

Dude yes awesome. I’m doing this alone with my dog so a new route is much appreciated.

 

[Marky Dissod]

Transmission oil cooler: if it didn’t come from the factory, then no.

If YOURS did not come with a GM OE ATF cooler, then correct GM by upgrading yours with a GM OE ATF cooler from a GM vehicle that did come with it, like yours SHOULD HAVE.

 

[Fless]

You'll want to have brakes, not breaks. Trust me.

 

[genestoy]

For a 2800 pound trailer empty you would need brakes even if it was hauled empty. Most states require them anyway. The states you will be driving in all require brakes for trailers with a 3000 pound gross weight which you will exceed.

 

[swathdiver]

I’m moving from Southwest Florida to Chicago area. I can get a solid deal on a 16ftx6ftx6ft dual axle trailer 2800 lbs empty, with breaks and new tires. My Tahoe can do up to 6400lbs. I wouldn’t be loading to the brim, just necessities and bulky furniture that I don’t want in a pod.

My Tahoe is 2020, 5.3 V8 LT 4x4 withOUT the max trailering package.
Would this kill my trans?
I’m going to be getting new tires, flush coolant, break check (only 6 months old).
Is my factory installed hitch ok?
If I need a trailer break controller, links are appreciated.
I’ve towed cross country before but not in this. I know to keep it right lane, 65-70.
Any other help would be great.

Thanks!

Get a WD hitch and pay attention to how you load it to keep the truck as level as possible. Once out onto the highway, slow down.

Did you fix the transmission thermostat issue in that generation? Heat is a transmission's worst enemy.

 

[Shunto]

Do you know the GVW of the trailer? What is its capabilities? If the total weight is less 4500lbs I think I’m going to say you are going to be fine. Trailer brake controller would be the biggest recommendation to help with trailer stability. Weight distribution might be overkill.

My dad tows his 22ft ocean fishing boat (~7500lb fully loaded + trailer) with his 2500 without weight distribution hitch. The weight distribution systems can add up quickly. BUT tow safely. That’s the biggest thing. Don’t cheap out just because it’s “only one trip.”

WITHOUT a WDH? My old man wouldn't tow a shopping cart behind his rig without one.

 

[Shunto]

Ok,
Hopefully you're moving to Chicago for a better reason than leaving Florida.

 

[Bigburb3500]

WITHOUT a WDH? My old man wouldn't tow a shopping cart behind his rig without one.

Yup. Driven it myself too and no issues… truck doesn’t squat or anything but boats are also strange, not a ton of tongue weight. It’s all hanging off the back.

Come to think of it, not sure I’ve ever seen a boat trailer with WDH?

 

[Shunto]

Yup. Driven it myself too and no issues… truck doesn’t squat or anything but boats are also strange, not a ton of tongue weight. It’s all hanging off the back.

Come to think of it, not sure I’ve ever seen a boat trailer with WDH?

I might have to agree with you... me either- just Travel trailers.

 

[Bigburb3500]

I might have to agree with you... me either- just Travel trailers.

Might be true that one could be beneficial, but I a WDH “lifts” the weight off the rear axle and distributes it to the front axle it would not be beneficial to a boat?

*Conversation is deviating. Back to the regularly scheduled program and a 16ft box trailer.