Towing with a Tahoe PPV?

[pokey162]

I have a 2013 PPV Tahoe and it is not equipped for towing . My question is will it harm the Tahoe if I set it up for towing by putting a receiver hitch on it and tow a single axle enclosed trailer in town on rare occasions?
One of the official answers from Chevy is that it is set up for cornering and pursuit driving and has not been tested for towing. They can't or will not tell me if it will harm the suspension, computer, or transmission. I know it has been tweaked for pursuit driving but I have a hard time believing that there is that much difference to keep it from doing light towing.
Any help or insight would be greatly appreciated.
Without it I guess I will just have to try it and find out first hand if there are any bad consequences.

 

[TheFuzz]

Welcome to TYF.

A Tahoe is a Tahoe my friend. Your line of thinking is correct - just because they have the PPV sitting a little lower for pursuit work doesn't mean it can't handle towing. Put a proper receiver hitch on it and have at it. Keep an eye on the trans temp (just as you would with any other vehicle you're towing with) and you should be fine.

Since you mentioned it's a PPV, I'm assuming it's the lowered 2wd model and not the 4x4 SSV, correct?

 

[pokey162]

Yes it is a PPV

Thanks and yes it is a PPV 2wd....I was going to get a receiver type setup from a wrecked Tahoe from the bone yard and I am guessing it will almost be a plug and play using the wrecked Tahoe's wiring for the receiver hitch.

 

[Gzes]

It should be plug and play

 

[TheFuzz]

Thanks and yes it is a PPV 2wd....I was going to get a receiver type setup from a wrecked Tahoe from the bone yard and I am guessing it will almost be a plug and play using the wrecked Tahoe's wiring for the receiver hitch.

Yep, plug and play. I actually wouldn't be surprised if the wiring is already present for it on your Tahoe, many of them have the provisions there even if the receiver isn't installed.

 

[jz57]

Not really!

Tahoe PPV has no hitch, the rear bump and cross member do not set up for towing hitch setup.

You need remove rear bump, it is PIA, also you need cut a rectangular opening for hitch receiver.

Currently there is no one makes after-market hitch for 2007-up Tahoe. It is another challenging.

Please post back when you get the job done.

It should be plug and play

 

[retorq]

Not really!

Tahoe PPV has no hitch, the rear pump and cross member do not set up for towing hitch setup.

You need remove rear pump, it is PIA, also you need cut a rectangular opening for hitch receiver.

Currently there is no one makes after-market hitch for 2007-up Tahoe. It is another challenging.

Please post back when you get the job done.

That is plug and play to gzes.

 

[pokey162]

You lost me on this reply....you refer to a pump?, PIA?
The rear bumper cover has the same hole in it as a regular Tahoe just has a straight steel bumper instead of the receiver bumper you see on regular Tahoes.

I will post some pictures.

 

[pokey162]

Rear bumper of PPV

Here is a picture....first time to post picture hope it works.

 

[jz57]

Sorry for the mis-typing. It is Bump.


Please post the pix for the hitch job.

By the way, where did you get the OEM hitch setup?

......

I will post some pictures.

 

[pokey162]

I'll post pictures and details when I get one found...if you know any sources in southeast area let me know.

---------- Post added at 11:26 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:04 PM ----------

I haven't found one yet except I can get one from GM new but it would be rather pricey. I have a few sources in this area I will try next week. GM did tell me that the straight metal bumper piece you can see in the picture can be removed and replaced by the OEM piece, which is why I am thinking it will be more plug and play.

 

[aggmeister2010]

I wanted to re-open this thread, as I'm looking to tow with my PPV as well. The difference is, I'll be towing our department's antique Chief's vehicle to events, which weighs 3500 lbs + 18ft trailer.

First off, the hitch below is built SPECIFICALLY for the GMT900 PPV. It's $130, so there you go.

http://www.amazon.com/CURT-13161-Cl...TF8&qid=1442938204&sr=8-1&keywords=curt+13161

HOWEVER:

The PPV (not rated for towing) has a 3.08 gear in the differential, and is rated to 140 mph. The SSV (rated for towing) has a 3.45 gear in the differential and is only rated to 110 mph.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think that is why the PPV is not rated for towing. The rear end sits 2" lower from the factory, giving it less "squatting room," and the gearing is too wide, thus putting extra strain on the drivetrain.

With that said, I have seen PPVs with factory hitches...

Thoughts? I'd love to be able to tow stuff with it on occasion, but I don't want to blow anything up!

 

[CrashTestDummy]

It is a 18' enclosed or open trailer? An enclosed might be a bit of a workout, but given that these trucks come with aux. oil and transmission coolers, it's something that might be doable. You may want to add bags, and if it's an enclosed trailer, may want to opt for a load-leveler hitch.

Then, watch the trans temps. With the proper bluetooth monitor and a smart phone/tablet, I think you can also monitor oil temps. I know I can with my '12 Caprice, so would expect that to be available on a '13 Tahoe.

I don't think the differential would be an issue here, but the load on the transmission. Watch the trans temps, and you should be okay.

I haven't tried towing with our '10 yet, but do want to at least try it with our 18' open trailer and 2800# race car. Just in case something happens to our usual tow vehicle.

 

[992dr]

What year is your PPV?
Mine is an 07 with 3:73s and TruTrac LSD. Maybe the newer 6 speeds came with the lower gears.

That hitch is NOT something I'd want to tow very much with. Maybe a lawnmower or yard waste but not a 3500lb vehicle.

You need to find one from a yard. They are referred to as "rebar". Look at car-partsdotcom and browse through there site or call local yards.

I towed an 18' enclosed trailer with my 07 and it was a workout. It was empty one way and with my loaded tool box the way back. I'd guess it weighed around 600lbs. As long as I was on level road it was great, uphill was most definitely a chore. Surprisingly, it didn't squat at all.

I wouldn't be worried about towing anything, especially if its only on occasion.
Like said, you can always get helper bags to level things out if the load is going to be bigger than usual.

 

[aggmeister2010]

What year is your PPV?
Mine is an 07 with 3:73s and TruTrac LSD. Maybe the newer 6 speeds came with the lower gears.

That hitch is NOT something I'd want to tow very much with. Maybe a lawnmower or yard waste but not a 3500lb vehicle.

You need to find one from a yard. They are referred to as "rebar". Look at car-partsdotcom and browse through there site or call local yards.

I towed an 18' enclosed trailer with my 07 and it was a workout. It was empty one way and with my loaded tool box the way back. I'd guess it weighed around 600lbs. As long as I was on level road it was great, uphill was most definitely a chore. Surprisingly, it didn't squat at all.

I wouldn't be worried about towing anything, especially if its only on occasion.
Like said, you can always get helper bags to level things out if the load is going to be bigger than usual.

Mine is a 2013 with the 6 speed. No towing package, of course, but the trailer light hookup is pinned under the bumper.

I'll keep an eye peeled for the hitch you mentioned. If I can find one, I'll consider using my Tahoe - if not, I'll head over to Home Depot for one of their trucks!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[ccapehartusarmyINF.(ret)]

okay am i not mistaken but every PPV spec sheet that ive ever seen shows that a towhitch is standerd

---------- Post added at 04:15 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:12 PM ----------

What year is your PPV?
Mine is an 07 with 3:73s and TruTrac LSD. Maybe the newer 6 speeds came with the lower gears.

That hitch is NOT something I'd want to tow very much with. Maybe a lawnmower or yard waste but not a 3500lb vehicle.

You need to find one from a yard. They are referred to as "rebar". Look at car-partsdotcom and browse through there site or call local yards.

I towed an 18' enclosed trailer with my 07 and it was a workout. It was empty one way and with my loaded tool box the way back. I'd guess it weighed around 600lbs. As long as I was on level road it was great, uphill was most definitely a chore. Surprisingly, it didn't squat at all.

I wouldn't be worried about towing anything, especially if its only on occasion.
Like said, you can always get helper bags to level things out if the load is going to be bigger than usual.

actually the new PPVs come standered with much higher gear ratios the 2016 comes standerd with a 3.08 rear axle ratio

---------- Post added at 04:16 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:15 PM ----------

i suppose thats why they have a bit higher topend speed

 

[992dr]

Mine is a 2013 with the 6 speed. No towing package, of course, but the trailer light hookup is pinned under the bumper.

I'll keep an eye peeled for the hitch you mentioned. If I can find one, I'll consider using my Tahoe - if not, I'll head over to Home Depot for one of their trucks!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I believe that is why you have the 3:08s, because of the 6 speed.
Yes, I'm almost positive they all have the provisions for trailer lights.

Keep an eye out, you may be able to find one for short money.

okay am i not mistaken but every PPV spec sheet that ive ever seen shows that a towhitch is standerd

---------- Post added at 04:15 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:12 PM ----------



actually the new PPVs come standered with much higher gear ratios the 2016 comes standerd with a 3.08 rear axle ratio

---------- Post added at 04:16 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:15 PM ----------

i suppose thats why they have a bit higher topend speed

I'm not positive but I think its specific to the department whether or not they had hitches. All the ones out here don't have them.

That's due to the newer 6 speeds.
IIRC, final drive is the same as the 4 speed, someone please correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[CrashTestDummy]

992dr, I believe you're right. All of the City of Houston PPVs look to have them, and the 10 we got came from a department in the Tampa, FL area, and all of the ones I saw from there had receivers. It looks like it would provide a convenient tow hook hookup spot on the back of the truck should the truck get stuck in the mud, which is a common issue around here.

It seems some folks see PPVs local to them that don't have them, so yeah, it's probably a line on the order sheet and the department has their standard selections. IIRC, single or dual spotlights are also optional. Our truck has a single.

 

[aggmeister2010]

I found a factory "impact bar" at a local dealer for $300. Not too bad. That should be able to handle pulling a car, as long as the gearing supports it!

GM part number for anyone interested - 25938524


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[992dr]

Good find aggmeister

Here's a link from GMparts http://www.gmpartsdirect.com/oe-gm/25938524


Thanks for sharing, hopefully this will help others who don't have a hitch get one