Recommendations for Towing a 2007 Infinity G35 Sedan on a Car Hauler with a 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe Z71

Question:

I have a 04 Tahoe Z71. I am moving from VA to ND and need to tow my 07 Infiniti G35 sedan. I have the original stock trailer hitch on my tahoe. I am looking at renting a flatbed car transport trailer and am wonndering if I would be able to haul it and if so which type of hitch system should I use? Money is kinda an issue but I still want it to be safe. Thanks.

asked by: David

Expert Reply:

My research shows that your 2007 Infinity G35 sedan weighs somewhere around 3,500 pounds and with fuel in it, 20 gallons times 6 pounds, 120 pounds, it would weigh about 3,620. Of course you will need to take into account the weight of the trailer that you rent, anything you load in the Infinity for your move and any other items normally loaded in the vehicle. This means that your 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe Z71 must be capable of towing somewhere around 6,700 pounds or more.

Researching the 2004 Tahoe Z71, I found that properly equipped vehicles, check your owners manual and hitch specifications to be sure, are capable of towing up to 7,700 pounds. You should make sure that you rent a trailer that has a supplemental braking system, to help stop the vehicles and that all of the items in your setup, when fully loaded and ready to travel do not weigh more than the GCVWR (gross combined vehicle weight rating) of your truck, check owners manual again, before leaving.

You may need to set your truck up with a 7-Way connector, brake controller and wiring, if the trailer you rent has electric brakes. A good brake controller is the Prodigy P2, # 90885, and you would need the adapter, # 3015-P, to plug in under the dash. If your truck has a factory installed 7-Way connector you are set. If not, you will need the brake controller install kit, # ETBC7, which includes all of the items needed to complete installation of a 7-Way trailer connector and brake controller on your truck. We have detailed instructions, see link, that will help you with the proper installation on your 2004 Chevrolet truck.

You will also want to select a ball mount that allows you to tow the trailer as level as possible. If you can measure the height of the bottom of the trailer coupler on a level surface before renting, you can order a ball mount by comparing that measurement to the height of the top of the receiver opening on your hitch. Subtract the two measurements and this will give you the drop or rise needed in a ball mount. The most popular ball mount for your truck is the Forged Ball Mount 3 inch Rise or 4 inch Drop, # 40331, and should work for this application, but measure to be sure.

expert reply by: Bob G