2007 SS Trailblazer Towing?

[gtochris]

Re: 2007 SS Trailblazer Towing?

One in the Suburban of same year was 352HP. This one has 395HP.

This thing must be fast!

It's a different block- the Suburban/ Silverado has the iron block, the TB SS has the LS2 which was shared with the Corvette and GTO.

 

[jkust]

Re: 2007 SS Trailblazer Towing?

I've got the 5.3 liter in two of the Trailblazer cousins being the Buick Rainier and the 9-7x. The 6.0 was offered in the SAAB 9-7x AERO as well. Much of the technology in the TB SS came from the SAAB side of the house as the SAAB engineers designed their AERO first. Eventually much of the technology then was incorporated on the vanilla version of all of the later produced cousins. The Trailblazer SS has the same unique on demand AWD system as the 9-7x AERO that none of the other cousins in the GMT360 family received (including all of the non Aero 9-7's). The crazy thing about the SS and the AERO is even with the additional 95 hp and 70lbs of TQ, they received the same tow rating as the best equipped cousins. The drivetrain is the limiting factor. The 5.3 equipped variety is crazy fast and the 6.0 is just insane for a full frame truck. Where they shine is in their handling. Google the skid pad results for the SS and any of the 9-7x's (because the 9-7's all were built for performance to some degree) and you will be surprised when you compare those numbers to true performance cars. There are a few times even towing my 4500lb boat/trailer where I could use that extra torque of the 6.0 but the gas mileage is abysmal. The 6.0 doesn't have displacement on demand as the mid to late 5.3's did not that it saves you that much. This platform is getting long in the tooth having been put to bed for 2009 but really is a good value for cheap tow vehicles due to the extreme depreciation GM's succumb to.

 

[Maclin]

Re: 2007 SS Trailblazer Towing?

Stainless Steel Trailblazer, bet you can see your reflection in that

Neighbor has one, real pretty metallic red, I think he put aftermarket exhaust on it as it really rumbles down low. Usually vehicles with hot-rod engines like that are kind of finnicky for towing as they are set on "Kill" regarding compression and timing, etc. Tend to detonate under heavy load if not de-tuned especially if their knock sensing system does not back down enough.

With a 4.11 diff this one sounds like it is ready for some street fights as well as towing (at least to the rated capacity).

Pontoons grab air though, that is one concern with the tow vehicle wheelbase and weight.

 

[jkust]

Re: 2007 SS Trailblazer Towing?

Stainless Steel Trailblazer, bet you can see your reflection in that

Neighbor has one, real pretty metallic red, I think he put aftermarket exhaust on it as it really rumbles down low. Usually vehicles with hot-rod engines like that are kind of finnicky for towing as they are set on "Kill" regarding compression and timing, etc. Tend to detonate under heavy load if not de-tuned especially if their knock sensing system does not back down enough.

With a 4.11 diff this one sounds like it is ready for some street fights as well as towing (at least to the rated capacity).

Pontoons grab air though, that is one concern with the tow vehicle wheelbase and weight.

Regarding the 4:11...only the inline 6 and the 6.0 had them. It was the top option on the inline 6 and standard on the 6.0. The 5.3 could only be purchased with the 3.73 oddly enough. Tuning the PCM on all of the GMT 360's is extraordinarily common. At least with the I6 and the 5.3 to some extent there is a lot of torque management that can be undone. There's a couple companies that specialize in tuning the PCM's wherby they can send you a loaner PCM while they re tune yours. One of my 5.3's had a tune done by the dealer and it absolutely hauls but the mpg's dropped pretty substantially compared to the pre tune numbers. These suv's are about the size of the small 4 cylinder Chevy crossover with the SS and all of the 9-7 being lowered an inch from the factory they are sleepers...maybe less so on the more overt SS.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: 2007 SS Trailblazer Towing?

It's a different block- the Suburban/ Silverado has the iron block, the TB SS has the LS2 which was shared with the Corvette and GTO.

That makes sense.

 

[greenbush future]

Re: 2007 SS Trailblazer Towing?

Bob....checked on the codes...411 gear in the rear end with AWD

The pontoon is at the lake now...so ill get my son to dip it in the water..he has a 2500 chevy diesel.

The Checkmate will be no problem.......3000# at the most trailer and boat....now that it's restored and all the water loged foam is gone

Gona weigh the 21' Celebrity and see where im at weight wise. The manual say's 6500# max

6500 is the max you could tow right? I'd be kinda careful if your boat rig is close to that #, it's not power that is the issue, it's stopping! I'd be concerned about how it handles too, I think the boat will end up weighing more than the tow rig, and that can get all kinds of screwy, not to mention what it will do to springs, shocks, front end, tranny, and all that. But again, just be careful, maybe add a tranny cooler, you might be good.

 

[81 Checkmate]

Re: 2007 SS Trailblazer Towing?

6500 is the max you could tow right? I'd be kinda careful if your boat rig is close to that #, it's not power that is the issue, it's stopping! I'd be concerned about how it handles too, I think the boat will end up weighing more than the tow rig, and that can get all kinds of screwy, not to mention what it will do to springs, shocks, front end, tranny, and all that. But again, just be careful, maybe add a tranny cooler, you might be good.

Yea ill be careful.....Im old and wise.... and i dont do the many stupid things like i use too. :facepalm:

First thing i want to do is get the Celebirty weighed and see where im at then go from there.

Thanks for all the input...Ill let ya- all know how it turns out......

Happy Boating!

 

[bruceb58]

Re: 2007 SS Trailblazer Towing?

6500 is the max you could tow right? I'd be kinda careful if your boat rig is close to that #, it's not power that is the issue, it's stopping! I'd be concerned about how it handles too, I think the boat will end up weighing more than the tow rig, and that can get all kinds of screwy, not to mention what it will do to springs, shocks, front end, tranny, and all that. But again, just be careful, maybe add a tranny cooler, you might be good.

My 24' Wellcraft boat weighs way more that my Silverado truck but my truck has a fairly long wheel base.

 

[Maclin]

Re: 2007 SS Trailblazer Towing?

JKust, owner stated his has the 411 gearset so I believed them...

....checked on the codes...411 gear in the rear end with AWD

 

[jkust]

Re: 2007 SS Trailblazer Towing?

The only down side of this format is the length and the week points of the drive train components (though the SS and 9-7 received additional upgrades there as well). It also doesn't have a tow/haul mode. My trailer is about 24 feet long, the tow weight is only 4500lbs and the weight doesn't even phase the truck (again I have multiple 5.3 liters of this format) but a bit longer would start to get uncomfortable. One odd quirk with this vehicle is if you are rolling say to a stop sign but don't stop and have to gun it to get into traffic with your trailer attached, the massive torque management kicks in and you slows you way down. This is the point at which I mentioned the 6.0 would be appreciated. If however you are at a dead stop at that stop sign and floor it with the trailer attached, it will move very fast by comparison. It took a while to get used to this quirk and on busy holiday weekends when there are only tiny breaks in the traffic, it can be a bit dangerous if you forget to stop all the way. I've had a total of three of the v8 vehicles over the years. And have had just about every experience you can think of...my wife even rolled one of them over on the highway several revolutions when they were sold before stabilitrac was included.

 

[gtochris]

Re: 2007 SS Trailblazer Towing?

The only down side of this format is the length and the week points of the drive train components (though the SS and 9-7 received additional upgrades there as well). It also doesn't have a tow/haul mode. My trailer is about 24 feet long, the tow weight is only 4500lbs and the weight doesn't even phase the truck (again I have multiple 5.3 liters of this format) but a bit longer would start to get uncomfortable. One odd quirk with this vehicle is if you are rolling say to a stop sign but don't stop and have to gun it to get into traffic with your trailer attached, the massive torque management kicks in and you slows you way down. This is the point at which I mentioned the 6.0 would be appreciated. If however you are at a dead stop at that stop sign and floor it with the trailer attached, it will move very fast by comparison. It took a while to get used to this quirk and on busy holiday weekends when there are only tiny breaks in the traffic, it can be a bit dangerous if you forget to stop all the way. I've had a total of three of the v8 vehicles over the years. And have had just about every experience you can think of...my wife even rolled one of them over on the highway several revolutions when they were sold before stabilitrac was included.

I think I remember reading that with the TB platform and Transmission- it was recommended to always tow in 3rd gear since they didnt provide a Tow/ Haul feature. I think the shifting you described (rolling out) I've experienced in almost every GM 4speed I've ever had where they end up dead on power when you are trying to provoke a shift.
I really liked the Denali version, however the AWD you have and the SS comes with is probably better since I recall hearing the Autotrac switch/ activator failing quite frequently (happened to us once).

 

[Lurch77]

Re: 2007 SS Trailblazer Towing?

I have a story somewhat related to this topic. My first interaction with a Trailblazer SS was at a stop light. It was a double left turn lane, going onto a highway on ramp. After the turn the double lane merges down to one lane. I was on the inside turn lane with my work van. The SS was in the outside lane, and his lane was the one that ended and he had to merge. My van is a big, heavy 1 ton van, but it moves quickly with the same 6.0L that the SS has, and low gearing. I was not towing or hauling anything at the time. Being a bit competitive there was no way I was going to let a little SUV beat me up the on ramp. lol I had no idea. That SS dusted me like I wasn't moving. I noticed the SS badging and looked it up later. I want one.

Back on topic. If my 4.0L I6 Grand Cherokee can pull and stop my 20' pontoon with no issues, the Trailblazer will have no issues with your boats. You likely have trailer brakes? If not install some and you're all set.

 

[81 Checkmate]

Re: 2007 SS Trailblazer Towing?

The 21' Celebirty and the 24' pontoon both double axles with hyd trailer brakes...... Also when i towed with the tahoe i always use 3rd gear and not overdrive......i realy didnt like the tow button.....thoo i really dont tow to the different lakes. Once in the spring and once in the fall.....load and unload at the ramp.

When i complete the Checkmate i will be towing it to all different places......

 

[rallyart]

Re: 2007 SS Trailblazer Towing?

The only real problem towing with the SS will be that it's narrower than many boats so you need to find mirror extenders. The AWD system really helps and the brakes are superior to many. It's a little lower than most Trailblazers so just check your ball height and enjoy.

 

[jkust]

Re: 2007 SS Trailblazer Towing?

I think I remember reading that with the TB platform and Transmission- it was recommended to always tow in 3rd gear since they didnt provide a Tow/ Haul feature. I think the shifting you described (rolling out) I've experienced in almost every GM 4speed I've ever had where they end up dead on power when you are trying to provoke a shift.
I really liked the Denali version, however the AWD you have and the SS comes with is probably better since I recall hearing the Autotrac switch/ activator failing quite frequently (happened to us once).

You are correct, towing in 3rd is absolutely recommended. I haven't adhered to that and tend to almost always use overdrive because here in MN, there are very few inclines where I tow. It's pretty flat and rarely drops out of od. I realize there is more to it but so far so good for us. One of the big issues with the AWD and 4wd systems failing on this platform is the oddly low mile service interval for the fluid. Service is at 50,000 miles and people just don't do it until they have damaged the system. It is very common. Of course again the TB SS and the 9-7 AERO received a totally different on demand AWD system than all the others in the platform so less evidence of failure there given a couple hundred AERO's were produced and of course the SS was sold in lowish numbers as well. I'm betting the original owners that cared to buy an enthusiasts car took better care of them than the average run-of-the-mill inline 6 Trailblazer family truckster buyer.