Has anyone towed with a Durango, Aspen, or Tahoe Hybrid?

jumpjets

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Has anyone used any of the late model SUVs for towing thier boat? I'm window shopping and looking at the Hybrid Durangos, Aspens, and Tahoes right now. They are all listed with CVT transmissions? Arent' these fragile compared to standard automatics? Does anyone have experience with these trucks?

My boat is about 5000lbs loaded on the trailer. I usually have 2-4 people in the truck when I'm towing.
 

alldodge

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Re: Has anyone towed with a Durango, Aspen, or Tahoe Hybrid?

Has anyone used any of the late model SUVs for towing thier boat? I'm window shopping and looking at the Hybrid Durangos, Aspens, and Tahoes right now. They are all listed with CVT transmissions? Arent' these fragile compared to standard automatics? Does anyone have experience with these trucks?

My boat is about 5000lbs loaded on the trailer. I usually have 2-4 people in the truck when I'm towing.

I would say they should be fine so long as they are properly equipped. Manufacture will have tow ratings with and with out their tow package. With a 5K boat I would opt for the tow package and make sure the vehicle stated it can handle a bit more
 

gtochris

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Re: Has anyone towed with a Durango, Aspen, or Tahoe Hybrid?

Neither of those two mild Hybrids have CVT Transmissions. They both had conventional (4-6 speed) automatics.

I'd stay away from the dodge one- only seen 1 on the road EVER so I would think finding a qualified person to diagnose and fix would be difficult.
 

alldodge

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Re: Has anyone towed with a Durango, Aspen, or Tahoe Hybrid?

Neither of those two mild Hybrids have CVT Transmissions. They both had conventional (4-6 speed) automatics.

I'd stay away from the dodge one- only seen 1 on the road EVER so I would think finding a qualified person to diagnose and fix would be difficult.

Ouch, that hurt :(

And to all those Chrysler dealerships across the country why could you not find a qualified person :facepalm:
 

bruceb58

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Re: Has anyone towed with a Durango, Aspen, or Tahoe Hybrid?

I would actually stay away from all 3. The Chrysler products were only made for a short time before they were dropped and the Tahoe was also eventually dropped because no one was buying them. The mileage improvement was not that much.

The Chrysler products only had a combined production of 400 vehicles.
 
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alldodge

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Re: Has anyone towed with a Durango, Aspen, or Tahoe Hybrid?

I would actually stay away from all 3. The Chrysler products were only made for a short time before they were dropped and the Tahoe was also eventually dropped because no one was buying them. The mileage improvement was not that much.

While it is true the Chrysler Aspen was stopped and now only the Durango continues to be made. I saw this as a business decision lake all other car manufactures, everyone of them were down sizing. The Tahoe is still being built and the 2015 is coming out in this spring
https://www.chevrolet.com/tahoe-full-size-suv.html
 

bruceb58

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Re: Has anyone towed with a Durango, Aspen, or Tahoe Hybrid?

While it is true the Chrysler Aspen was stopped and now only the Durango continues to be made.
I was saying the hybrids were dropped. There is no Dodge Durango hybrid made after 2009, or before for that matter.

I thought the OP was talking hybrid versions of all 3 models since he was asking CVT questions.
 
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alldodge

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Re: Has anyone towed with a Durango, Aspen, or Tahoe Hybrid?

I was saying the hybrids were dropped. There is no Dodge Durango hybrid made after 2009, or before for that matter.

I thought the OP was talking hybrid versions of all 3 models since he was asking CVT questions.

OK cool, my misunderstanding. Personally I wouldn't own a hybrid. Seems everyone of them cost more and the benefit they supposedly provide is not met by the cost. I like diesel's and love it that the companies are starting to catch up with Europe.

Exp: Tow capacity Jeep Cherokee Gas V6 6200 (fuel eco 17/24), V6 diesel 7400 (fuel eco 22/30)
 

Scott Danforth

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Re: Has anyone towed with a Durango, Aspen, or Tahoe Hybrid?

I had a 2000 durango. Towed both my SeaRay and the Cruisers with it. no problems.

a few friends have late model Tahoes, one with the 5.3 and one with the 6.0 both tow without a problem.

do not know anyone towing with a hybrid
 

Fleetwin

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Re: Has anyone towed with a Durango, Aspen, or Tahoe Hybrid?

The GM "Mild Hybrid" was a hybrid in name only. Basically, all it did was shut the engine off when the vehicle was brought to a stop. The components were pretty standard.

"Stop/Start" technology is becoming more popular on some vehicles. Not a bad idea but the mileage benefit is minimal but becoming more important as looming and drastic EPA requirements get closer..
 

7lazy77

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Re: Has anyone towed with a Durango, Aspen, or Tahoe Hybrid?

I have a 2004 Dodge Durango with the Hemi that I occasionally use to pull a 25' Chapparal Deck Boat!....No problems pullin, just gets a little squirly when I get hit with a side wind.
 

Scott Danforth

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Re: Has anyone towed with a Durango, Aspen, or Tahoe Hybrid?

I have a 2004 Dodge Durango with the Hemi that I occasionally use to pull a 25' Chapparal Deck Boat!....No problems pullin, just gets a little squirly when I get hit with a side wind.

put new shocks on the Durango and most of that is cured. At least it was in my case
 

smokeonthewater

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Re: Has anyone towed with a Durango, Aspen, or Tahoe Hybrid?

Personally I can't imagine ANYTHING good from trying to tow with a hybrid anything. BUT the manufacturer would be the first place to ask.
 
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Re: Has anyone towed with a Durango, Aspen, or Tahoe Hybrid?

It's really too bad nobody actually knows that much about the GM Two Mode FULL hybrid system that was used in the Silverado/Sierra, Yukon, Tahoe, and Escalade. It is actually a very impressive system and has a lot of power. 2013 was not the only year this system was offered as a previous poster said.

For example,

2009 Tahoe Hybrid 4wd has the 6.0L V8 and it rated at 20mpg city, 20mpg highway.

2009 Tahoe 1500 4wd has the 5.3L V8 and is rated at 14mpg city, 20mpg highway.

I have personally driven some of these two mode hybrids and have gotten as much as 24-25mpg out of a 4wd Silverado crew cab. Before you go bashing these trucks because of poor sales, spend some time with one. They are pretty amazing and the power difference between the hybrid and base vehicle feels very significant, especially from 50-70mph, they are a rocketship.

I have not towed with the hybrids, but I feel like they should be very good at towing due to having the two modes (CVTs) and the normal fixed gears. It can always find the sweet spot and get an extra boost from the electric motors if needed.
 

smokeonthewater

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Re: Has anyone towed with a Durango, Aspen, or Tahoe Hybrid?

If you know so much about them then how about posting up the manufacturers towing capacity for the hybrid.... THAT is the most important info and thus far nobody has it here.
The towing portion of your above statement is no less speculative than the rest posted here.
 
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