mgb74gt wrote: We have pulled the combination below over 20,000 miles in the last 15 months. I pulled 10 passes in one day across Nevada and Colorado without a problem. Loaded I come in just over 7500#.
Unfortunately for the OP, this won't be a good comparo as the Tahoe is not available with the engine, hp, torque, suspension or transmission that the '07 Denali has that you tow with (and us too).
To the OP:
Look for a lighter, shorter trailer.
As far as length - we are towing 29' and weight in at 6500#'s with a 850# tongue weight with out Denali. Lengthwise - we are at the top limit of that short wheelbase and would definitely NOT go any longer. Weight wise we have no issues, however we have the big engine, huge torque, 6 speed trans and different suspension like the person I quoted and is completely different than what you have in your Tahoe.
Thank you all. This was the first time I've posted on the forum and was amazed by the quick response. I was particularly impressed by the thoughtful of many of the responses.
Just to give you an update. Based on the consensus of the forum (and my wife's intuition) we decided to downsize to a 5400 lb 30 foot trailer. It cost a little more but I think we'll be happier in the long run.
Also, as expected, there was mixed response on the Hensely Hitch. From, (para phrased) "it is a miracle device" to "why would anyone pay $3000 for a hitch that is no better than a low end weight distribution kit". In my case, I truthfully don't know how it will work. I was able to purchase a used one for less than half retail. If it works as advertised, it will be worth every cent, if not, I'm pretty confident I can sell it on ebay for at least what I paid. I'll let you know in a few weeks what my experience is.
Woodlander,
I tow my 31'2" Trail Cruiser with a '99 Tahoe with 100% confidence. It tows very well. I have towed it all over the state of California from the flat valley to the Mountains and all over the coast. Sure if you buy a 3/4 ton diesel you could pull faster but if what you have works good already why waste the money. After all you can buy a lot of gas/diesel for the price of that truck.
Woodlander. I went from towing a pup to the Keystone Springdale 296BHS 7000 dry with my old Tahoe 5.7 and realized that it was not enough truck for me the first time I pulled the TT. My first time getting up to speed (about 60mph) was an adventure in itself and the first slight grade decreased my speed by 10 mph. I felt the whole time I was towing the setup was not safe. The Tahoe was weighted down so much that the front felt like it was comming off the ground.
Personally, I had to upgrade TV (I hated that ) and now with a 3/4 Dodge I have no problems.
The Tahoe I got around 8 mpg and the Dodge averaged 12 mpg on my last voyage.
"Enjoying life one sit at a time"
2008 Keystone Springdale 29BHS SSR
2006 2500HD Dodge Ram Lonestar
Me (28), DW (35), 2 Great kids (13&7)
Our Little Mini Schnauzer
I don't know why so many people will say "yes" it's okay to pull your rig, without giving a word of caution.
I was always told that one should never tow more than 75% of what your TV was rated to tow. All for safety's sake. I agree with that ratio.
Others like to "push" the envelope of towing performance and safety. Not me. That's why I dumped my 2007 Tundra for a 3/4 ton vehicle. It gives me more of a safety margin and my TV isn't on the verge all the time of being "maxed out" when towing.
The simple saying always comes to my mind and applies very well when towing:
"It's better to have (3/4 ton tv) and not need, than to need and not have."
I'm sure I'll get chewed out now by some crack-pot that claims he/she has been pulling trailers the size of "Mt. Rushmore" with ease, using only their Volkswagon Bug blah blah blah... But, I'm sure my rig now is safer with a 3/4 ton vehicle instead of the 1/2 ton I got rid of.
Well we've heard from the Gm hitch police, and the weight police. (by the way, I think there may be something to the whole GM hitch thing, but I only know what I have read).
To the OP, the thing that would scare me most about your setup would be the wheelbase of your tow vehicle. For a 30 foot trailer, a longer wheelbase tv will provide greater stability. JHMO.
2005 Surveyor SV-291 Tows smooth as silk!
1995 Dodge Ram 1500 Laramie SLT 4x4 5.9L V8 low miles, It ain't pretty, but it's paid for!
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) and now with a 3/4 Dodge I have no problems.
