Pulling with a Chevy Tahoe? Good or bad?

[2bee]

This has been discussed to death over the years on COTH.

Stopping. Stopping is the issue. Stopping! Stopping! Stopping!

Some folks simply like to try to cheat death. Death always wins. Sometimes sooner due to stupidity.

Idiots pull with average pick up trucks.

Yes, I absolutely did just say that.

In the recent COTH survey, 42% of those polled DID NOT have a horse trailer. Anybody want to guess which box this drama queen checked?

[Chardavej]

Um... trailers have brakes. And Tahoe weighs as much or more than your average pick up truck. So it's perfectly capable of stopping a two horse trailer. Yes, the heavier the tow vehicle, the better. But the Tahoe is heavy enough to safely stop a trailer. I maintain that the shorter wheelbase is the real drawback (think sway and possible jacknife).

Umm, yes, they do. But they are to ASSIST the truck, the trailer should never have stronger brakes, the Tahoe doesn't have large calipers and with the shorter wheel base when you stop quick can whip and jackknife.

You all can say the Tahoe pulls great, heck I bet my Minivan could too, but it wont stop as good as a vehicle that is recommended for the heavy load of a loaded horse trailer.

All it would take is one hard, fast stop and it's over.

But you can say it pulled it just fine before you had to stop.

WHY WHY WHY take the chance??

[2bee]

Umm, yes, they do. But they are to ASSIST the truck, the trailer should never have stronger brakes, the Tahoe doesn't have large calipers and with the shorter wheel base when you stop quick can whip and jackknife.

You all can say the Tahoe pulls great, heck I bet my Minivan could too, but it wont stop as good as a vehicle that is recommended for the heavy load of a loaded horse trailer.

All it would take is one hard, fast stop and it's over.

But you can say it pulled it just fine before you had to stop.

WHY WHY WHY take the chance??

I guess you were in the 42% also? My Explorer would stop HARD, SHORT, and STRAIGHT hauling almost 6,000# of horse/trailer. I would bet money it stopped as well or better than the Chevy 3500 I haul with now.

Trailer brakes do not "assist" the truck, the trailer brakes stop the trailer.

[armandh]

did it and like my pickup better

the wife's yukon has the trailer package
I have used it to tow a light 2 horse.
I preferred it to the expedition I spent 5 years towing with.
neither were as good as the '87 and '92 2500 suburbans
nor as good as the '02 2500 pickup I have now.

best of the lot was the '92 454 4X4
if you over look the prodigious thirst

[lstevenson]

Umm, yes, they do. But they are to ASSIST the truck, the trailer should never have stronger brakes, the Tahoe doesn't have large calipers and with the shorter wheel base when you stop quick can whip and jackknife.

You all can say the Tahoe pulls great, heck I bet my Minivan could too, but it wont stop as good as a vehicle that is recommended for the heavy load of a loaded horse trailer.

All it would take is one hard, fast stop and it's over.

But you can say it pulled it just fine before you had to stop.

WHY WHY WHY take the chance??

Unlike the Minivan, the Tahoe IS recommended for towing by the manufacturer.

And the trailer's brakes are not stronger than the Tahoes. We are talking about a large vehicle here, not a Camry.

I have always used Suburbans for hauling, and my last horse trailer had chronic problems with it's brakes. Even when my trailer brakes were not working AT ALL, my Suburban could stop the loaded trailer quickly and safely. No, the Tahoe is not as big or heavy as the Suburban, but the difference is not huge. And with working trailer brakes, the Tahoe would have no problem stopping the trailer.

[Romany]

Wasn't there an old discussion here on COTH about trailering safety, and someone (I seem to remember a pilot?) suggested taking your chosen truck n trailer to a big empty parking lot, measuring and marking stopping distances, etc, with cones, and then doing some practice driving. I can't find the link - sorry.

Not the real thing, but a good start.

And I agree with the others - it's not whether the vehicle can tow the trailer (an ATV can tow a trailer), it's whether it can stop and control a trailer with a couple of horses shifting their weight in it.

[tx3dayeventer]

Wasn't there an old discussion here on COTH about trailering safety, and someone (I seem to remember a pilot?) suggested taking your chosen truck n trailer to a big empty parking lot, measuring and marking stopping distances, etc, with cones, and then doing some practice driving. I can't find the link - sorry.

If anyone can find that link I would be interested.

And I agree with the others - it's not whether the vehicle can tow the trailer (an ATV can tow a trailer), it's whether it can stop and control a trailer with a couple of horses shifting their weight in it.

I am only asking about hauling 1 horse about 45 minutes up the road (that has a speed limit of 55mph) that relatively no 18-wheelers drive on (its a Farm-to-market road)

ETA: said road with 55 mph speed limit is ONLY 2 lane (one going each way) with the occasional passing lane. I do not care if I am going 55 and have a line of cars behind me, I gladly pull over to the "slow" lane when the passing area comes up. I pull my big trailer like this as well. There is not an Interstate within about an hour (or hour and a half) from where I live in any given direction, aren't I lucky?

[Susan P]

Ok, before you keep calling people idiots, you should know that my husband is in the business of working on bigger equipment and equipment owned by the top equestrians in the world, yes, world, not just country. He's well educated on all facets of tow vehicles, not just a 2 horse bumper pull. If you think you know more than someone with over 30 years of book knowledge and practical experience who owns the premier truck repair shop in the county then go ahead and make a fool of yourself. He chose my Tahoe as a tow vehicle, he doesn't have a problem with a F-150 towing the 2 horse, but it's really the driver that makes the difference. If you are not capable of handling the equipment, please stay off the road no matter how big your tow vehicle is. I never used an anti sway bar, never had a need, never had a problem. I drove my Tahoe, with a tow package, the only problem was when I was not hooked up, the brakes were awful. The trailer did a better job stopping the Tahoe than the Tahoe would stop on it's own.

My husband is considered an expert in his field. Just explaining the credential behind my statement. If he says a vehicle is safe to tow with it's not just me that will believe him, it's the PA state police, and hundreds of our customers over the years hauling a lot bigger equipment with many more horses and the finest of horses and equipment. I'm not going to mention names to strangers here, but if you've seen the horse on TV in competition and they are local to us, then there's a fair chance they are our customers.

[tangledweb]

Idiots pull with average pick up trucks.

Yes, I absolutely did just say that.

So 2/3 of the people at every horse show are idiots?

Lucky we have you here to enlighten us, with your calm, well reasoned advice, backed up with reference to reliable information and not containing any undue emotion, or resorting to name calling.

[ThisTooShallPass]

I stand by my statements.

[CANTEREOIN]

Umm, yes, they do. But they are to ASSIST the truck, the trailer should never have stronger brakes, the Tahoe doesn't have large calipers and with the shorter wheel base when you stop quick can whip and jackknife.

You all can say the Tahoe pulls great, heck I bet my Minivan could too, but it wont stop as good as a vehicle that is recommended for the heavy load of a loaded horse trailer.

All it would take is one hard, fast stop and it's over.

But you can say it pulled it just fine before you had to stop.

WHY WHY WHY take the chance??

My HORSE Trailer dealer... again HORSE Trailer dealer, well respected in New England... highly recommended the Tahoe as the only SUV with the capacity to pull a two horse trailer with a dressing room safely. He knew my horse, sold me the trailer after he recommended the purchase of a Tahoe.

He also recommends weight distribution bars be used for bumper pulls.

I use the COTH forum for ideas but I finalize my decisions with qualified professionals.

[asterix]

I hate to stick my toe in here, but can I just ask, for folks who have a set-up which does not feel as stable as possible at 60 mph (whatever that set up might be, not getting into that discussion); do you really feel that this is a safe option for hauling on interstates? I've never been on an interstate where you could consistently go 55 or less and really feel safe.

I had to go 55 not long ago while hauling in potentially slippery conditions; the amount I got drivers roaring up behind me, narrowly swerving around, etc., was hair-raising.

Obviously there is a point at which your rig will start to feel overwhelmed, speed-wise, and obviously you should not drive your rig as though you were driving your car, but it just seems to me that 60 mph is not the speed at which I'd want to HAVE to slow down -- everyone else is typically going 65-70.

[enjoytheride]

A brender up would also be an excellent trailer choice. They are built lighter and have a low tongue weight compared to the American style trailers.

[tx3dayeventer]

A brender up would also be an excellent trailer choice. They are built lighter and have a low tongue weight compared to the American style trailers.

Looked at one of these but WOW they are expensive! $10,000 for a trailer to just haul one horse to just the vet or a lesson, really isn't doable.

I do really like them and set out to get one until I saw their price (even the used ones).

[BeastieSlave]

I had my 'ho and trailer on the expressway today with one 1,200+ lb. horse. 140 mile round trip - about half of it on the expressway with 60-65mph speed limits (construction along parts). It was a snap, and as usual, I hardly felt the trailer behind me.

I feel safe on the interstates in GA, AL, and FL for sure, and I have hauled horses up, down, and around I-10, I-75, I-85, I-95, I-285, etc. I also felt comfortable in the Carolinas, TN and KY, but I don't tow much there, so I can't claim that would always be the case...

[exploding pony]

I haul a 2H BP with a Tahoe and it does well. A few things - I always use a weight distribution hitch (I don't NEED it, but I like to be extra careful) and sway bars (back to being extra careful).

I don't like hauling two horses with it. I haul my mare a couple of times a month, by herself, no issues. She's about 15H.

It's well below the towing capacity as I have it set up - I think it is rated at 7500 lbs, I haul probably 4500 with my horse, gear and trailer. I'm a very careful driver. I don't like Brenderups; I have an aluminum trailer with a dressing room.

It's not a 3/4 ton truck, but I am very comfortable with my rig having done quite a bit of research. The engine, wheel base and brakes are all rated well above what I am doing, so I'm comfortable.

Do I wish I had a 3/4 ton truck dedicated to hauling? Sure. But I don't have the money, so this is the best compromise that I can find based on the research that I have done.

[Chardavej]

I guess you were in the 42% also? My Explorer would stop HARD, SHORT, and STRAIGHT hauling almost 6,000# of horse/trailer. I would bet money it stopped as well or better than the Chevy 3500 I haul with now.

Trailer brakes do not "assist" the truck, the trailer brakes stop the trailer.

No, not in 42% as I didn't participate in any poll.

Trailer brakes assist in stopping.

Pull with a Tahoe, I have my opinion of the safety of it and you have yours. We agree to disagree.

[2bee]

No, not in 42% as I didn't participate in any poll.

Trailer brakes assist in stopping.

Pull with a Tahoe, I have my opinion of the safety of it and you have yours. We agree to disagree.

Just trying to help you understand. And since you dont understand the trailer brakes stop the trailer, I can see how/why you arrived at your "opinion of safety".....too bad it (your opinion) is not based on any facts.

Do a little investigation on brake sizes and how brake controllers work, then check back with us.

[Susan P]

This is why I stated, that the rig is suitable but depends on the skill of the driver. Some people should not be on the road. You should always take precautions when you drive any trailer, there is an added risk. You must THINK about what is following you. If you go too fast you surely can lose it like many truck driver lose control of their rigs. In the past year we've heard about a few trucks hauling horses to slaughter that wrecked because they were overloaded and speeding for the road conditions.

I hate to stick my toe in here, but can I just ask, for folks who have a set-up which does not feel as stable as possible at 60 mph (whatever that set up might be, not getting into that discussion); do you really feel that this is a safe option for hauling on interstates? I've never been on an interstate where you could consistently go 55 or less and really feel safe.

I had to go 55 not long ago while hauling in potentially slippery conditions; the amount I got drivers roaring up behind me, narrowly swerving around, etc., was hair-raising.

Obviously there is a point at which your rig will start to feel overwhelmed, speed-wise, and obviously you should not drive your rig as though you were driving your car, but it just seems to me that 60 mph is not the speed at which I'd want to HAVE to slow down -- everyone else is typically going 65-70.

[Susan P]

When it comes to trailer safety our opinions don't mean beans, only the facts matter, driving skill and good judgement. Who cares what any of us believe, the facts are all that matter. Educate yourself if you have concerns, my husband has done that so I take his word for it. I've also done a little reading myself years ago in Practical Horseman on towing capacity.