Last summer I ran across 3 different Chev Tahoes towing trailers, and all of them supprised me on how well they pulled the hills. One was pulling a Jeep CJ loaded on a car hauler, and was able to maintain 65 -70 mph on the 5 - 6% grades in central Utah. Out on the flats he was doing 90 mph.

Is there an easy way of telling from the outside, what engine a newer Chev is running? I know you can tell a Duramax by the badges and tail pipe, and an 8.1 by the tail pipe and lack of a badge, on the HDs. Don't know anything about the half tons.

 

The new tahoe was avaiable with the 4.8 when the frist came out in 2000, not sure if you can still get that in one. I'm sure 99% had the 5.3, I would say one would be way underpowered with a 4.8. HD's 6.0, 8.1 and the duramax all have the same tailpipe. The GMC's have a extra hole in the bumper for the big blocks and duramaxes. In Chevy's the all have the same bumper now (at least 03 and 04's did, not sure on the 05) 01 and 02 chevy's with 8.1's or duramaxe's have a larger hole in the airdam, HD's with 6.0 didn't. In the 1/2 tons, most all have 5.3's, except for the basic work trucks, witch most have V6's. So the 03 and new are harder to tell then the 01-02.

 

I'm suprised to hear that. My new Yukon has the 5.3 in it and loaded with 4 H-D dressers (about 6500lbs.) heading up a 6% grade it was all it could do to keep it at 50 mph and it was turning over 5000 RPM. Great family truck but not a pulling outfit. That's why I have a Dodge Cummins for the real work and a GMC to fetch groceries!

 

That Tahoe most likely had a 5.3 with the 3.73. Also could have been supercharged. And could have been in second gear running at the redline.

MikeyB

 

My old '95 Z71 with a 350 would pull the mountains real well with my trailer loaded with ATV and camping gear and another ATV in the bed. But......at those RPM's, I wouldn't expect the engine to last very long. I take the same roads and loads with the Cummins and never get lower the 4th gear.

BTW, it's been retired from pulling loads, but the Z71 has topped the 230,000 mile mark. Neither the engine nor the tranny has been worked on.

(Knocking on wood)