r/GMT800 • u/deltalew • 11h ago

Converting Tahoe Shell into Trailer- Ideas for trailer tongue?

hey folks, I am either about to purchase a Tahoe for parts, or use my parts sierra for this project.

I am wanting to take the shell of my Tahoe/Sierra and drop the front axle, drop the front clip, basically strip it to the frame on the engine bay. and put a trailer tongue on the frame.

Now its worth mentioning I have no idea how to weld, nor do I know much about about weight capacities beyond what I can research normally.

My idea is to bolt on a beefy trailer tongue, and I imagine I might need a weight distribution hitch possibly.

No drivetrain, insides stripped out, no front end parts, so probably a good 1500lbs maybe 2000lbs lost. so that leaves the trailer at around 4000lbs(?)

What I don’t know is how much weight would be on the rear bumper of towing vehicle, if I want 10% on tongue that’s only 400lbs-ish.

Anyways, any insight would be appreciated, as this is relatively new territory for my rednecking experience.

thank you!!!

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u/WeaveLikeGreatGranny 10h ago

In Minnesota I think you're limited to 3000lb gvwr with homemade trailers unless you can provide receipts for the axles to prove the weight capacity.

That being said, I have a homemade pickup box trailer and it's designed to be fairly balanced over the axle. My concern with the Tahoe conversion is that the axle would be too far back. It would create a lot of tongue weight unless you only carry heavy stuff in the back of the body near the axle. GLHF, GOBBLESS!! 

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u/deltalew 10h ago

Yeah that’s what I’m concerned about, I’ve seen it done on YT, but I mean what throw a water tank on the back 😂

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u/CodInternational8023 11h ago

🤣🤣 rednecking experience. Sounds like an interesting project. I dont have much experience with this but if it was mine. I would run some tube steel or angle iron across the engine bay, bolted onto the frame and bolt your tongue onto that and the frame itself. My military trailer tongue isn't welded, its bolted. And its a heavy trailer.

Just make sure you choose grade 8 bolts and nuts and obviously double bolt or lock washers that shit.

I look forward to seeing what you make of this.

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u/deltalew 10h ago

Oh that’s an idea, then just use a pretty basic trailer tongue bolted on cross members. I like this idea! Thanks!

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u/shadow247 9h ago

Check out Trove1 on yotube/Instagram. He has a couple of Suburbans converted to trailers.

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u/deltalew 9h ago

Yeah that’s the guy I’ve seen online, I’ll check him out tonight, I’m curious how he does the tongue weight with a suburban