Towing with Tahoe or Yukon?

[aascvt]

Hi all…

Can anyone weigh in on how your Tahoe or Yukon SUVs do towing your trailer? I’m looking to finally get my own rig. Trailer will likely be a fairly simple 2 horse bumper pull, but extra height and width would be helpful. I would prefer to have a large SUV, rather than a pick-up.

What makes finding the ideal towing vehicle more challenging, is that this has to be my commuting car as well. Obviously I know that I’m going to be spending a small fortune on gas no matter what I get, but I’m going to try to do the best I can in that department.

Thanks for your input.

[IrishDeclan]

My initial reaction is no no no. I had an absolutely horrific accident pulling a 2 horse Featherlite with a Tahoe. It was one of those situations where it wasn’t a problem until it was. I had the larger engine V8, weight distribution hitch, etc. The Tahoes pull just fine, but their stopping power is not what it should be for hauling.

How many horses would you be hauling? Where would you be hauling (to local schooling shows or long distances on interstate)?

Link to my original post about the accident: http://www.chronofhorse.com/forum/showthread.php?407926-Just-have-to-brag-on-my-wonderful-horse

[atlatl]

I’ve towed with a Tahoe for years, warmblood sized 2 horse straight load with a dressing room and a 22 foot long Airstream, but not at the same time obviously. If your trailer has properly working electric brakes and you don’t drive irresponsibly and have a suitably sized tow package you should be fine.

[Where_sMyWhite]

[QUOTE=IrishDeclan;8081510]
It was one of those situations where it wasn’t a problem until it was. [/QUOTE]

This…

[TrotTrotPumpkn]

This is just my two cents.

My dad has a newer GMC Yukon that I am tooling around in while my Expedition gets repaired (thank God they were on vacation so I could borrow his SUV!) and there is absolutely no way I would recommend it as a tow vehicle. It rides very narrow/high compared to my older Expedition (which I also don’t recommend–see the other thread) and I also don’t think it is rated high enough to spec out for towing much more than a boat either.

You need to look at the XL or Suburban if you want an SUV. That said, my uncle-in-law toasted the tranny on his Suburban towing, so pay attention to the package you buy. The exception may be for towing a Brenderup type trailer.

My friend had an old steel Tahoe forever that was great for her 2 horse Featherlite, I got to drive it too, but the new one, not so much. SUVs are turning into big cars. JMO.

It’s all about the gas mileage and smooth ride now.

[atlatl]

Really? While I’m sympathetic to what happened when IrishDeclan had the wreck, I’ve read the posting and there is nothing in there about the road conditions or the speed at which the accident occurred. I was taught that if a trailer starts to sway, which is before it actually fishtails and jack-knifes, you try to straighten the whole rig out by either manually engaging the brake via the controller or accelerating the tow vehicle.

The “stopping” ability of the tow vehicle is not a problem unless the brakes fail on the trailer. A risk, yes, but one that can be mitigated by proper maintenance BEFORE you set out.

Yes, an oversized tow vehicle provides a nice cushion but a Tahoe, properly equipped is a perfectly adequate tow vehicle for a two horse trailer.

[suz]

Fwiw I did all the hauling for me and my friend until she bought a big Tahoe and a Kingston bp.
I have a Hawk 3 horse gooseneck and both horses hopped on willingly whenever asked for years.
Neither would load onto hers after their first ride with her, and after insisting he get on her little gelding hers ran under the butt bar and took off back into the barn.

[Jumper_girl221]

I had a boarder haul a two horse stock with a pony using a tahoe. She swore never again, borrowed a suburban for future hauling. Apparently whenever she got over 55 it started to sway badly…granted she did not have anti sway bars on her vehicle.

Easier to just borrow her dads diesel suburban when needed lol.

[soloudinhere]

I tow with a 2002 Yukon XL with a Reese SC weight and sway hitch, Tekonsha P3 controller, and an intelligent driver and have no issues beyond that I wish I had more gears in the 4speed transmission.

Don’t know anything about the newer ones but I hauled this assembly (2002 6L Yukon XL, 2014 Merhow 2h aluminum w/dress weight 2985lbs) in 40mph crosswind the other day with nary a wiggle, and my horse still gets on just fine and arrives at his destination happily chewing on his hay and looking for his cookies.

I think you will probably have wheelbase issues with a straight tahoe, but the suburban is a huge vehicle and is actually longer than some of the 1500 pickups out now. I saw a new Yukon XL the other day and it’s even bigger than my truck.

[atlatl]

[QUOTE=Jumper_girl221;8081951]
I had a boarder haul a two horse stock with a pony using a tahoe. She swore never again, borrowed a suburban for future hauling. Apparently whenever she got over 55 it started to sway badly…granted she did not have anti sway bars on her vehicle.

Easier to just borrow her dads diesel suburban when needed lol.[/QUOTE]

And who thinks it’s a good idea to tow a loaded trailer over 55?

[GoForAGallop]

[QUOTE=atlatl;8082014]
And who thinks it’s a good idea to tow a loaded trailer over 55?[/QUOTE]

Anyone with a properly equipped tow vehicle?

If I were doing 55mph on the highways around here I am almost 100% sure I would be pulled over and questioned, because I would genuinely be a road hazard.

OP, it’s always fine until it’s not. IrishDeclan is not the only one on here who has almost killed her horses with an under-equipped vehicle…another COTHer killed two of her horses while towing with an Explorer, which is the same as a Tahoe, when it got to swaying on the highway. Step up to the next class of SUV: a Yukon XL, or a Suburban, or an Expedition.

Or rock a diesel quad cab pickup as a daily. You’ll get better gas mileage than a mid-size SUV, have the seating that you need, and have a suitable tow vehicle.

[Jumper_girl221]

[QUOTE=atlatl;8082014]
And who thinks it’s a good idea to tow a loaded trailer over 55?[/QUOTE]

Anyone driving on an interstate? Do I speed, no, but I do regularly hit 65 and still getting passed (speed limit of 65-70). I don’t have any issues with my F350 duelly 7.3 and the 4 horse gooseneck. I’ve never even thought twice about it…

[TrotTrotPumpkn]

I do (go over 55) with a truck (like 2500 truck) and trailer. My God we would never get there otherwise and would get run over! All our shows are 4 hours away at interstate speed.

BUT

Using my properly equipped (WD hitch and sway control) Expedition for a little 12’ long, 7 foot tall no-dressing room two horse, with one horse loaded, when she started acting up…and by acting up I mean rubbing her mane out after a show (I took the braids out, but I’m sure it itched still) and hitting her side against it…I was only going 40 mph and I thought I was going to die. Like I’m having anxiety already about needing to take her to the vet clinic in May. I’m hoping to buy a new set up very soon.

In a newer model, I would absolutely look at a suburban or XL (extra long) Tahoe or Yukon that is built out (engine, gear ratio, cooler) for towing…not the standard wheel base. The old SUVs were built for work. The new ones are built for kids watching TV.

[atlatl]

Hmm, interesting that those insisting on extra margin with a tow vehicle are less interested in the extra safety provided via driving at what is, in California at least, the posted speed limit for vehicles pulling trailers.

Here’s a little math exercise: rate * time = distance

Driving 4 hours at 70 = 280 miles

So say your show is 280 miles away, you save approximately 1 hour, 280/55 = 5.09, if you drive at 55 instead of 70. 1 hour and 1 minute if you want to be picky.

If you drive 280 miles at 65, it will take you about 4 hours and 20 minutes, so you’ll save 40 minutes over driving at 55.

Great line from the song I Feel Lucky; the stars might lie but the numbers never do.

I’ll put my trust in the engineering specifications of my vehicle which includes wheel base measurement, transmission, etc.

Either way, it’s all about risk tolerance and management.

[Jumper_girl221]

We don’t have a different speed limit for trucks and trailers. And honestly, even going 5 under, it gets dangerous with drivers whipping around you then slamming on brakes because they don’t want to get stuck behind the truck and trailer and need a certain exit. I try my best to move with the speed of traffic and that is safer then being worried about an arbitrary number.

I do drive very alert and have never had issues stopping when the various morons that abound during tourist season suddenly realize that the place they want to go (that’s had 50 signs a half mile apart for the last 20 miles) is RIGHT THERE and whip in front and slam on the brakes to make the turn.

I also GASP during the summer months drive in the left lane to avoid said idiots (totally drives a few non horsey friends crazy. I’m like you drive a trailer in July and see how many times you nearly throw your horse down and then come back to me).

And no, when I’m driving in summer traffic I’m well below the posted speed of 45/55 MPH usually…unfortunately its not an interstate.

[GoForAGallop]

[QUOTE=atlatl;8082242]
Hmm, interesting that those insisting on extra margin with a tow vehicle are less interested in the extra safety provided via driving at what is, in California at least, the posted speed limit for vehicles pulling trailers.

(snip)

I’ll put my trust in the engineering specifications of my vehicle which includes wheel base measurement, transmission, etc.

Either way, it’s all about risk tolerance and management.[/QUOTE]

The 55mph limit for trailers is set in California, I can only assume, due to studies and whatnot that have been done on those specific roads.

It’s not the case in most other states that there is a different limit for trailers.

Like I said, if I were doing 55mph on the interstates in New England, it is very likely I would be pulled over by the state police so that they could check on me to make sure I was okay, and suggest that I take side roads so as to not be a dangerous road hazard.

My one ton truck can do 70mph all day long with a loaded trailer, quite safely.

You’re right though, in that it’s all about personal risk assessment. Personally, since there is more than one trailer manufacturer standing behind the “minimum 120” wheelbase" recommendation for a two horse with dressing room, you will not find me touching a Tahoe with a 116" wheelbase.

There is far more to trailering than just moving the weight. My darn Mini Cooper could get my horse trailer moving, no doubt in my mind.

[IrishDeclan]

FWIW, my accident happened on a completely clear day, in the middle of the afternoon, and we hadn’t had rain in awhile so the roads were completely dry. I was also on a busy interstate in between the two main exits of a large college town so the amount of traffic meant that I probably wasn’t going much over 55, maybe 60-65.

I also don't put too much stock into what the vehicle manufacturers say regarding the towing ability of an SUV. I don't think they understand that pulling a horse trailer with live animals (who move around) is different than pulling a utility trailer or perhaps a boat. A trailer full of trash headed to the dump or a boat isn't going to get into a disagreement with their traveling companion or care if a bee lands on it, or any number of other things that I've seen happen to horses in trailers.

[atlatl]

http://drivinglaws.aaa.com/laws/trailer-speed-limits/

Some interesting excerpts, Michigan is especially helpful

Arizona:
Vehicles towing trailers or semitrailers may not exceed a rate of speed that causes lateral sway.

Louisiana
Boat or utility trailer, same as passenger car; house trailer, 55 mph, day, 50 mph, night for brake-equipped trailers 15 to 32 feet long, 50 mph for trailers without brakes less than 15 feet; all others, 45 mph.

Michigan
A person driving a passenger vehicle pulling another vehicle or trailer shall not exceed the posted speed limit

Ohio
55 mph is the maximum speed for any vehicle or vehicle combination that weighs over 8,000 lbs.

Iowa
Interstate 70 mph or as posted.

[Jumper_girl221]

North Carolina
55 mph unless otherwise posted.

Virginia
70 mph or as posted.

(the majority of my hauling is in VA).

Most of the interstates not only have a max speed of 65-70, but also a min speed of 55.

[TrotTrotPumpkn]

[QUOTE=atlatl;8082242]
Hmm, interesting that those insisting on extra margin with a tow vehicle are less interested in the extra safety provided via driving at what is, in California at least, the posted speed limit for vehicles pulling trailers.

Here’s a little math exercise: rate * time = distance

Driving 4 hours at 70 = 280 miles

So say your show is 280 miles away, you save approximately 1 hour, 280/55 = 5.09, if you drive at 55 instead of 70. 1 hour and 1 minute if you want to be picky.

If you drive 280 miles at 65, it will take you about 4 hours and 20 minutes, so you’ll save 40 minutes over driving at 55.

Great line from the song I Feel Lucky; the stars might lie but the numbers never do.

I’ll put my trust in the engineering specifications of my vehicle which includes wheel base measurement, transmission, etc.

Either way, it’s all about risk tolerance and management.[/QUOTE]

Since this was directed at me and my 4 hour minimum hauls, the speed limit here is currently 75 mph. It is going up to 80mph tomorrow (asinine imo, but whatever). If you go 55 you will cause an accident when someone on their cell phone rear-ends you. I’m being serious, not flip, it is dangerous to go that far under the speed limit on the interstate here.

There are no posted signs about trailers going 55 here, I have never seen those anywhere I haul.

Also, if you read my post, I said interstate speed (FYI, I actually only drive 70 mph assuming good road conditions/weather) when using a “truck.” The truck I’m referring to last hauling to a show with is a 3/4 ton diesel pulling a two-horse featherlite. You don’t even have a clue the trailer is back there with that truck.

My Expedition experiences are on highways, because I don’t want to die going 55 on the interstate when someone rear-ends me, because that IS what I drive with the Expedition towing. Also why I was only going 40 when the horse started acting up.

So apples and oranges.