Hi Guys,
First post...

I'm trying to find out what the limiting factor is on the tahoe hybrid's gross combined weight rating. I have a 27' toy hauler weighing in at 7200lbs empty. I know the factory tow rating of the tahoe hybrid is 6200. The newer gas-only tahoes with the 5.3L are rated for 8000+. Can I raise my hybrids towing cap by changing the rear gears from 3.08 to 3.42 to match the newer tahoes?


*Just to clarify, if this setup is possible I will be using a wd hitch, and I'll also be adding a brake controller, tow mirrors and rear air bags.

 

Your vehicle compares drive shaft speed to all 4 wheel speeds on a continuous basis. To simply change axle ratio will upset too many systems.

 

Sup M ... long time, hope you're keeping well.

Chevykin41 posted this question on TYF, but there is really no one there who knows if it is possible to increase the tow capacity of the 2 Mode Hybrid. I told him that my suspicion was that it would be difficult at best, but that he may want to ask here to be sure.

Is there anything to be done or is he stuck with max tow rating he has?

(On a side note, any idea when the Spark EV will be available for sale in FL? ... u can pm me)

 

The official towing rating I believe is 12,000 Gross Combined. So anything short of making the truck lighter is about all. Now if he had that 2009 Esky hybrid with stock 3.42 he would have the same towing rating but, it would be stronger. However, not a 7000 lb plus trailer stronger. As for the little EV, your guess is as good as mine on Florida. You might see the press release before me. You had those spy shots right!

 

While I would not recommended it for any long period of time, I would imagine you can exceed the towing limit without any real danger to the hardware. The actual limit was probably not set my a engineer, but was set by a lawyer. I would only use Manual mode when towing anything over a thousand pounds. I have towed 4,000 lbs in rough terrain in high temperatures without any problems (250 miles). I did add a trailer brake controller and would obviously recommend the same. My Ford Escape Hybrid was rated for 1,500 lbs and it would easily tow twice that with no problems.

 

So that sounds like axle ratio is not the main factor in the hybrid's tow rating?

Is it the 4 speed cvt transmission vs the 6 speed in the gas only tahoes?

 

I believe that the Tahoe/Yukon, and pick up use a slightly smaller diameter rear axle than the non-hybrid. The hybrid is plenty strong enough. I have pulled my Sea Ray on 200 mile plus tips with a 2-WD Esky hybrid, VW Toureg Hybrid, stock 4X4 Silverado ( 4-speed auto), and my K2500 Suburban. While all of them can accelerate that 5000/6000 boat, trailer, and stuff, The Suburban is the nicest on long runs. You forget it is back there.

The Esky 2 Mode next best. Plenty of power on I-75 for a 275 mile run. The Toureg Hybrid was sticker rated at 7700 lbs towing . The pick up was a little light but it handled better up to 75 mph than the Toureg.

Now that Toureg Hybrid has brake rotors that make my 3/4 ton Suburban jealous. However, at a rolling 5500 lbs, that Sea Ray pushed the Toureg around at speeds above 65 mph. It was NOT comfortable. It did not push the 2 Mode around nor ever the 12,000 rated Suburban. And then that brand new 7700 lb rated Toureg creaked all the way home on every roll and turn. I think it was the crash box around the VH battery.

As a general rule I prefer to have the tow vehicle outweigh the trailer.

 

Hillbilly,
It looks like GM swapped the 3.42 gears for 3.08 in all full size hybrid SUVs starting in model year 2010. Even in the escalade and denali. Is that true? I'm going to call the chevy dealer and see if there's any reprogramming or something else I can have done to make a 3.42 swap work.

Another note, the 2009 escalade hybrid specs show a 14000lb gross combined rating. Is that a typo? I found that number on 2 different sites. But 2010 and later it states 12000lb combined???