If you own or are considering a Chevy Tahoe and you’re looking to pull your rig, you’re probably wondering: can a Chevy Tahoe pull a travel trailer?
Yes, a Chevy Tahoe can pull a travel trailer up to 7,600 pounds.
There are additional factors you’ll need to consider when towing a camper or travel trailer with a Chevy Tahoe which we’ll cover below.
Pulling A Travel Trailer With A Chevy Tahoe
So, can a Tahoe pull a travel trailer? Yes: the Chevy Tahoe towing capacity is 7,600 pounds, so as long as your camper, toy hauler, travel trailer, or pop-up camper is under 7,600 lbs your Chevy Tahoe can successfully pull it.
Now we need to explore the additional factors you’ll need to keep in mind when towing a camper with your Chevy Tahoe.
Chevy Tahoe Towing Package Details
Does The Chevy Tahoe Come With A Tow Package?
The Chevy Tahoe does not automatically come with a tow package included, so you might need to add one yourself or have one installed professionally.
Chevy Tahoe Trailer Towing: What Do I Need?
At minimum you’ll need a trailer hitch and wiring harness to tow your travel trailer or camper behind your Chevy Tahoe.
Do I Need A Brake Controller To Pull A Camper With A Chevy Tahoe?
If your travel trailer or camper has electronic brakes then you’ll also need a brake controller to send a signal from your vehicle to the brakes on your trailer.
Most states have laws stating that any trailer over 3,000 pounds must have a brake controller, but check with your state for specifics.
Chevy Tahoe Towing Package Cost
Chevy Tahoe Trailer Hitch & Wiring Harness Cost
Chevy Tahoe trailer hitches run between $150-$225.
Take a look at this recommended Chevy Tahoe Hitch Kit:
- DEPENDABLE STRENGTH. This trailer hitch is rated for 6,000 lbs. gross trailer weight and 600 lbs. tongue weight (limited to lowest-rated towing component)
- VERSATILE DESIGN. This class 3 hitch equips your vehicle with a standard 2-inch x 2-inch hitch receiver, allowing for a wide variety of towing options. It can accept a ball mount, cargo carrier, bike rack, tow hook and much more
- FULLY TESTED. Every CURT class 3 trailer hitch design is tested in real-world, on-vehicle conditions at our Detroit engineering facility. Aftermarket hitches are tested according to SAE J684 standards for the utmost safety while hauling
- RUST, CHIP, UV-RESISTANT. This tow hitch is protected with a unique dual-coat finish of rust-resistant liquid A-coat and highly durable black powder coat. The two finishes are co-cured together for exceptional resistance to rust, chipping and UV rays
- EASY TO INSTALL. This hitch offers a custom, factory fit on select model years of the Chevy Tahoe
Chevy Tahoe Trailer Hitch Installation Cost
Expect to pay between $100 and $200 to have a tow package professionally installed on your Chevy Tahoe (including the hitch and wiring harness).
Chevy Tahoe Brake Controller Cost
Chevy Tahoe brake controllers cost between $100-200 for the part, and up to $250 for the installation of the brake controller.
Can You Put A Trailer Hitch On A Chevy Tahoe? Chevy Tahoe Tow Package Installation
If you’re handy and looking to save money, you can install the trailer hitch and wiring harness yourself.
Always follow the manufacturer’s directions and use proper safety precautions.
Here’s a great video walkthrough on a Chevy Tahoe trailer hitch installation:
What Else Will I Need To Pull A Trailer With My Chevy Tahoe?
Depending on what trailer or camper you’ll be pulling with your Chevy Tahoe, you may opt for a suspension enhancement kit to reduce rear-end sag and to improve your ride quality and stability.
Additionally, if your trailer or camper has electric brakes then you’ll need a 7-way connector and brake controller kit.
What Size Camper Can A Tahoe Pull?
Your Chevy Tahoe can pull a camper, trailer, travel trailer, toy hauler, or pop-up camper under 7,600 pounds which is going to be most lightweight campers.
The Chevy Tahoe can safely tow the following travel trailer and camper models under 7,600 lbs:
- Jayco Hummingbird
- Livin Lite Camplite
- Dutchmen Aerolite
- Rockwood Geo Pro 19TH
- Heartland RV North Trail
- Evergreen Ever-Lite
- Keystone Passport Elite
- Forest River Rockwood Signature
- Bigfood Industries 2500 Series
This is by no means a full list, but the above are some popular examples of campers and travel trailers that can be towed by a Chevy Tahoe.
When determining what travel trailers you can pull behind your Chevy Tahoe, you’ll want to know the following specs:
- UVM (Unloaded Vehicle Weight) aka Dry Weight: This is the weight of a trailer as it’s manufactured at the factory. This figure includes all the weight including the axles and hitch of your trailer or camper.
- Cargo Carrying Capacity (CCC): This is the maximum weight of your personal belongings that can be added. This is the GVWR minus the UVM, full fresh water tank weight, and full LP (liquid propane) gas weight. In other words, CCC = GWVR – (UVM + water + gas).
- Tongue Weight aka Hitch Weight: This is the amount of weight that’s pressing down on your vehicle’s hitch or 5th wheel connection when your travel trailer or camper is fully loaded for travel.
The most important factor to look for is the dry weight or UVM of your travel trailer or camper and making sure it’s below 7,600 lbs so your Chevy Tahoe can safely tow it.
Understand that if it’s close to that number, you must also factor in any additional weight added to your trailer via cargo, water, or propane tanks and make sure the total does not exceed 7,600 pounds.
Chevy Tahoe Towing Capacity
So, how much can a Chevy Tahoe tow?
The Chevy Tahoe towing capacity is 7,600 pounds.
Chevy Tahoe Towing Capacity: 7,600 lbs
Chevy Tahoe GVWR: 7,400 lbs
You’ll want to pay attention to the following specs to make sure your Chevy Tahoe can tow your camper or travel trailer:
- CGWR (Combined Gross Weight Rating): This is the max allowable weight including your vehicle, cargo, passengers, and the trailer.
- GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating): This is the maximum weight capacity of your vehicle including the vehicle itself, passengers, and cargo without a trailer or camper attached. Exceeding either or both of the Chevy Tahoe GVWR or Chevy Tahoe towing capacity can damage the vehicle.
Can A Chevy Tahoe Tow A Camper? Wrapping Things Up
Hopefully this guide helped you to understand that yes, you can tow a camper with a Chevy Tahoe as long as you pay close attention to the total weight (the camper or travel trailer must be under 7,600 pounds).
Not all Chevy Tahoe models come with a towing package installed, so you’ll need to add one to the vehicle. Once complete, you’re ready to hit the road and get camping!
What hitch and wiring harness did you choose for your Chevy Tahoe, and what camper or trailer are you towing with it? How did the hitch installation go? Let your fellow campers know in the comments below.
While you’re here, check out our other helpful travel trailer, camper, and RV repair guides:
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- How to perform RV toilet foot pedal repair
- Our guide to RV roof reseal cost
- What to do if your RV heater is blowing cold air
- How to fix an RV microwave not working
- Our guide to motorhome fuel pump replacement
- How to replace RV window glazing bead
- How to fix an RV toilet not holding water
- How to fix a sagging RV slide out
- Preparing for an RV one night freeze