Chevrolet Tahoe vs Oliver Legacy Elite ll

[Hperdue]

Hello Fellow Owners,

I need to down size my 2016 Dodge Ram 3500. Wondering if anyone tows their Elite ll with a Chevrolet Tahoe?

Curious how it handles and preforms?

Thank you,

Hal # 790

[ScubaRx]

Our first tow vehicle for our (then) new 2014 Oliver Elite II was a 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe LTZ, a holdover from our previous 2008 Oliver Elite, for which it had been a wonderful tow. After several months of towing, I realized there was a significant towing difference between the two trailers, and the ~7000lb tow capacity of the Tahoe wasn't gonna cut it so we decided that a new TV was in order.

The newer Tahoe's are somewhat better with towing capacities >8K pounds, but this is still under powered for a trailer that will weigh 6500 pounds. Yeah, I know the numbers say it should work, but my experiences say differently. Keep that Ram 3500, I promise you that's your best bet.

[John E Davies]

Going from a 3500 to a light duty passenger SUV is a huge downgrade in terms of towing, and well, everything except passenger comfort and parking volume. You get a weaker drivetrain (brakes suspension axle shafts tires wheels) and the axle gearing is usually wrong, since SUVs have to meet EPA requirements. Shorter wheelbase means less stability on rough roads, less payload means you get paranoid about overloading. You have to use the Andersen hitch, which is a PITA at times. Cushy P rated tires are definitely squirmy when towing in difficult situations and they flat more easily (sidewall cuts from the low profile and soft plies).

The only reason I chose a LC200 rather than a pickup, when we sold our 2006 Ram 3500, is its way overbuilt construction and legendary reliability. Plus I wanted to explore roads and tracks that bigger vehicles could not traverse. No stock Tahoe could have gone where we went. 

Maybe if you explain the reasons that you need to sell the truck, we could point you toward a better TV than a Tahoe…. Like a newer Ram 2500 gasser with rear coil or air suspension - they ride beautifully and the higher end interiors are to die for.

John Davies

Spokane WA

[Hperdue]

Thank you for your input. I have to sell the truck because it will not fit the garage. HOA won't allow trucks outside overnight. [ Always Trade Offs]

Any thoughts on 2020 F-150s ?

Thank you,

Hal

[ScubaRx]

I purposely did not go into the progression of tow vehicles from my 2007 Tahoe LTZ to my current 2022 Silverado High Country 3500 HD Diesel, mainly because I didn't want to take the time to repeat all this for the umpteenth time. See my post above. But...

In between those two vehicles was a 2014 Sierra 1500 SLT with a 6.2L engine and the Max Tow Package, then a 2017 Silverado High Country 2500 HD Diesel.

The 1500 was a joke, had no power and overheated in the mountains, had a meager 1350 pound cargo capacity and was basically a complete failure as an adequate tow vehicle.

The 2500 was a beast, got better fuel mileage than the 1500, had a 2150 pound cargo capacity, was extremely comfortable to drive, pulled the Oliver with ease and (I thought) was my forever tow vehicle, until it wasn't. After extensive weight measurements, I realized I was still about 700-800 pounds overweight.

So I traded up to a 2022 Silverado High Country 3500 HD Diesel. It has all the attributes of the 2500 with a cargo capacity of around 3800 pounds and I am finally legal.

Nobody will ever accuse me of being a minimalist. Just the tools I carry will weigh over 300 pounds. I need a big honkin' truck because when I leave home on a trip it will always be for months and will always cover between 5K and 15K miles. I want to have everything I (or anyone else) might need along with me. For those that pride themselves in only having things that they know they will absolutely need, I sincerely hope that when (not if) you break down it's right in front on a Home Depot or Lowes.

As far as an F150 goes as a tow vehicle, there are many here that use them and claim that they are "just fine." Personally, I discovered that a 1/2 ton truck was far from meeting my needs. My suggestion would be a minimum of a 3/4 ton truck. It should fit in any modern garage. If it will not, you can try to get by with a smaller truck, enlarge your garage door opening or move.

[Rivernerd]

On 8/22/2023 at 7:34 PM, Hperdue said:

I have to sell the truck because it will not fit the garage.

I expect that is a length, not width, issue.  Does your 3500 have an 8' bed?  Could you trade for one with a shorter bed?