The Chevy Tahoe: The Top Choice of K-9 Units

In keeping with the spirit of August 26th’s National Dog Day, today’s post is dedicated to the 2015 Chevy Tahoe, the top choice of K-9 units across the country. Whether or not you travel with a furry friend, you should check out the Chevy Tahoe at your local used car dealers Albany NY.

The Chevy Tahoe is a versatile vehicle, ideal for helping this country’s K-9 units effectively accomplish their daunting, and often dangerous, tasks. Why the Tahoe?

Glad you asked…

Chevy Tahoe Leads the Pack

When it comes to K-9 units, which consist of police officers, their highly-trained dogs, and their vehicle, the Chevy Tahoe is the preferred Police Patrol or Pursuit Vehicle, and most popular among all K-9 units. Given the amount of time these officers spend with their police dog partners, it’s not surprising to that they are scrupulous when judging suitable vehicles for their safety, comfort, and on-the-job efficacy.

Michigan’s Oakland County Sheriff, Michael J. Bouchard, explained: “Our K-9s live with our deputies and their families. They are on duty with our deputies every day – responding to calls for service, training, and creating an unbreakable bond.”

Take a glimpse into a typical day of a K9 team…

Sheriff Bouchard went on to stress the importance and value of both the unit and the vehicle in his statement: “The K-9 Unit is an invaluable tool that serves our community and the Tahoe PPV is an important part of our operation.”

So, what is it about the Tahoe that earns it this distinction of valor? It all comes down to comfort and safety, particularly with respect to the canines themselves. Between the significant interior cabin space and cutting-edge climate control, the Chevy Tahoe is a tool that has proven invaluable to the K-9 units. Thanks to the third-row in the Tahoe, the vehicle boasts more heating and cooling vents than any other vehicle used by the police force.

Although the seat is removed to accommodate a kennel, the third row air vents – a Tahoe-exclusive – are able to send cooled air to the rear of the vehicle. Keeping the dogs cool is a concern, not only for their on-the-job performance, but also their safety.

According to Michael Werges, Sergeant-at-Arms for the North American Police Dog Association, “Heat exhaustion is one of the top killers of police dogs.” Sadly, eleven police dogs have died from heat exhaustion thus far this summer, already a tragic record high number.Werges continued, “It’s imperative to police agencies that K-9 vehicles are equipped with an air conditioning system that can keep the dog’s entire body cool, from head to toe.”

A fun fact about dogs, in honor of yesterday’s National Dog Day: The only way dogs can naturally rid themselves of excess heat and cool off in warmer weather is through the little pads on the bottom of their paws. The sole (get it?) exposed skin on their bodies, these little pads allow dogs to release heat, similar to the way a human cools down by sweating. With puny skin pads as the only outlets for unwanted heat, it’s crucial that a Police Patrol Vehicle is well-ventilated and cooled to help the process and protect the pups.

The Chevy Tahoe Police Pursuit Vehicle – One of a Kind

A crucial part of the police lineup, in addition to other Chevy models, like the Caprice, Impala, Silverado, and Express, the Chevy Tahoe PPV is all new for 2015 and the very first automatic two-speed transfer case four-wheel-drive PPV, as well as the single available body-on-frame full-size SUV that has been produced for extreme pursuits.

In addition to the four-wheel drive, the PPV also comes equipped with a two-wheel drive option, which features the segment-leading top speed rated, rated at 139 mph. The four-wheel drive, equipped with an all new 5.3-liter EcoTec3 V8 engine complete with standard Direct Injection, Active Fuel Management, and continuously Variable Valve Timing (CVT), reaches top speeds of 121 mph and comes standard with electric power steering, heavy-duty trailer towing capability, and 730-CCA auxiliary battery. Another part of the Chevy police lineup comes from the 4×4 Special Service Vehicle (SSV).

Additional features on the Chevy police vehicle lineup include the brand’s Rear Vision Camera with Rear Park Assist, hands-free Bluetooth connectivity, and the available 4G LTE with Wi-Fi hotspot. Even better, the Chevy Tahoe PPV boasts more interior volume of any police vehicle currently on the market. Scope out a complete list of the specs on the 2015 Chevy Tahoe PPV here. Check out the four-wheel drive 2015 Chevy PPV in action:

Civilians Love the 2015 Chevy Tahoe, Too…

As a full-size SUV, the 2015 Chevy Tahoe is truck-based (specifically on Chevy’s Silverado), but drives with the refined smoothness you would expect from a car.

With all of its options, you can tailor your driving experience to your exact needs and desires. Able to seat eight passengers between its three rows of seats, the five-door Chevy Tahoe is equipped with a V8 engine, measured at 325 cubic inches or 5,238 cc, which generates 355 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 383 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,100 rpm. Paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, which also offers a mode for manual shifting, the Tahoe can reach top speeds of 114 mph (the Tahoe PPV would track us down in no time), and made the zero to sixty mph dash in 6.7 seconds.

Fuel efficiency is rated at 16 city and 22 highway miles per gallon, and enhanced by the new electrically-assisted steering system. Despite its heft and imposing size, the Tahoe boasts surprising maneuverability, with a 39-foot turning radius.

Available in three trim levels, the LS, LT, and top of the line, LTZ, the Tahoe offers plenty of configurations and feature options, including space for a ninth passenger in the LS, if you opt for the front bench seat. Other bells and whistles vary by trim level, especially when it comes to technology. For example, the Driver Alert option, which bundles lane-departure warning system, power-adjustable pedals, forward collision alert, and a safety-alert seat, comes standard on the LT, but is an option on the LS.

Regardless of trim level, when it comes to towing, the Tahoe pulls its weight…and then some. With four-wheel drive, the Tahoe is able to tow 8,400 pounds, while the two-wheel drive gets an extra two-hundred pounds over that. Stopping power is another surprise in the Tahoe. Brake testing for stops from 70 mph returned results of 176 feet. It only took the massive, hulking Tahoe 176 feet to stop from speeds of 70 mph, an respectable rating from a family sedan, but seriously impressive when you compare it against the size of an SUV.

Standard safety equipment is significant in the 2015 Chevy Tahoe, thanks to the inlcusion of front-seat side airbags, full-length side curtain airbags, stability and traction control, antilock disc brakes, and OnStar, featuring on-demand roadside assistance, automatic crash notification, stolen vehicle assistance, remote door unlocking, and navigation. Similar to the Chevy Tahoe PPV, the civilian version of the Chevy Tahoe also comes equipped with a rear camera and rear parking sensors.

With all this talk of the Tahoe, I think it’s time for me to show some Chevy appreciation and take Zephyr, my German Shepherd, out for a spin in a 2015 Chevy Tahoe to see if it meets her approval. You can test drive any of the new, used, or certified pre-owned Chevy Tahoes at your local Chevy dealer and see why it’s fun, safe, and affordable to “Find New Roads” with the help of a Chevy. 

To those K9 units out there, thank you for your service. Stay safe.