2006 Tahoe - dissappointing towing

[bosendorferman]

4 weeks ago, I traded in my 1996 Tahoe for a new 2006 model. I love everything about this vehicle, except the disappointing towing experience as compared to my '96 model.

For years I have towed a trailer, up to 4,500 lbs max. and never felt short on power with the '96 model.

The first two towing trips with the '06 model, and only 2,000 lbs not only produced disappointing gas mileage (the vehicle shifts down to 2nd gear for just a slight incline or just a bit of head wind) but made me feel there is no muscle under the hood.

We put converter back performance exhaust ($265 installed) in the vehicle and are planning to add the performance chip ($365) when it becomes available.

I realize I have gone from a 5.7 liter to a 5.3 liter engine but did not expect that poor of a towing performance.

Will the power chip even come close to providing a remedy?

Am I on the wrong track trying to spruce up the '06 Tahoe to make it have similar power than the '96 model?

Using the vehicle also for family, I am trying to avoid purchasing a truck. Is there any way around, or do I simply have to get a truck, maybe a duramax diesel?

Thank you for your insight and suggestions.

[BLUE ZL600 EFI]

Welcome to the better gas mileage getting 3.42 rear gear. I have a 2001 (3.73) and it out tows my Dad's new 05 by far. I have towed 7000lbs with no problem, sure you know it's there but it handles it just fine. Mileage is not great towing that but I did not buy it to get good gas milage either. You can change the rear gear to a 3.73 or 4.10 (if it's 4wd you need to change the front one as well). I wish they would leave trucks as trucks, and stop trying to make them nice riding (I replaced my "p" tires with LT tires after only 1000 miles). The new tires are load range "d" which I can pump up to 65 for heavy towing. Also added front/rear sway bars, cat back dual exhaust and k&n intake system.

[Blackhawk703]

A little of my experience. I sometimes tow a loaded car trailer with a total weight 5,500 pounds. I have a 2001 LT Tahoe 5.3L with a 3.73 axle ratio. The truck came with P245/75R16 Goodyear tires. When I bought the truck the salesman told me to keep the engine RPM at or below 2000 and I would be surprised at the gas mileage I would get. So just loaded with me, my wife, luggage, and Christmas presents we made a trip of some 650 miles. Drove by tach and didn’t bust 2000 turns, with TOW/HAUL on, mostly level except a climb from 400 feet altitude to clear a small hill that topped out at about 2,700 feet, descended for more or less level to arriving at our destination at 550 feet. This got me 19 MPG. 2000 turns will result in an indicated speed of 70 MPH. A GPS unit gave our speed at 67 MPH.

Later in the year, I replaced the Goodyears with BF Goodrich Commercial LT265/70R16 tires. Making the same trip a year later with the tires aired up to 44 PSI, GPS on board, still driving by tach at 2000 turns, resulted in a speed of 74 MPH, and 21 MPG. One thing I noticed was that the GPS gave speed readings that matched the speedometer this time.

I was thinking that the Z71 package for this truck includes P265/70R17 tires which are slightly bigger in circumference than the 245’s. I think the speedometer is calibrated to give an accurate reading with the larger tire option so all this line of trucks has the same speedo. Running the smaller tires at an indicated speed will guarantee that you don’t get a ticket for speeding.

When pulling the extra weight of the loaded trailer, I busted the 2000 RPM self-imposed limit so I just let it hang out and ran by speed alone. Pulling the trailer between 60 and 80 MPH, RPM as high as 4000 when climbing that 2700 foot hill at 60 MPH and running downhill and on the flats at 80 MPH (2300 turns) resulted in 12 MPG. I have driven at a saner speed of 60 MPH pulling the trailer and got 14 MPH.

If your final drive gear ration is 3.42 as BLUE ZL600 EFI states, downsizing your tires by going to a lower profile tire like a 60 series would have the effect of raising the final drive gear ratio to 3.66 which would be closer to the 3.73 which should improve your towing performance some.

I was thinking of moving to a later model Suburban and travel trailer, so this compromise in gear ratio to get good fuel mileage is something I will definitely look at more closely before I buy.