Does anyone tow heavy loads with their H2? I pick my H2 up on Fri. and I have a concern about pulling my 31' travel trailer. It weighs somewhere between 6700-7000lbs. The dealer siad I should be ok since the original numbers on the H2 was 7000lbs towing. I was just curious if anyone had experience. My 2003 Avalanche could pull it no problem.

Thanks
John

I pull my 29' cruiser 2x/year 40 miles to & from the lake. It weighs in over 9000# with trailer and I have no problems at all. I had to search around for a 6" drop hitch, though, as the receiver is that much too high. In all honesty, I'd beef up all components if I did it every weekend, but the H2 will take it!

Thanks for the info and the tip on the 6" drop. I would only tow it 3-4 times a year so I think I should be ok.

Thanks
John

PS My dealer told me today that there is extra cash for GM employes and family. You have to call 1-800-235-4646 to get your discount authorization # and then you ask them for a unique ID code for the GM matching downpayment assistance program. You can only do this over the phone. GM picks up 50% of your downpayment up to $1000. So if you put $2000 down GM adds an extra $1000, totaling $3000. If you put $1000 down youll get $500 extra totaling $1500. Just thought someone might want to know.

John,

I don't know what you'll be doing with that travel trailer, but don't overlook that front hitch receiver! Called a "Spot Hitch".

It's the greatest for putting my boat to bed for the winter thru a 10' door. I opted to make my own hitch pin rather than buy the GM. Just welded a "T" to top of a steel rod. :thumbs

I towed for the first time last weekend and everything went real good. I was only pulling a 17 foot flat bed car hauler with my CJ-7 jeep on it, so not as much weight as you are talking but I was none the less impressed with the ride. I odered the electronic trailer brake harness, which I think should come with the vehicle for free, and it was reall easy to install but there is not many places for which to mount a brake controller. I just set mine where I wanted it and hid it up under the center counsel.



Jeff Z

Happy H2 owner (other then trying to fix all of the rattles)

:seeya

MEDICNOVO ... what was the towing rating on the Avalanche? Somehow, I have the feeling, that if the Avalanche could do the job ... so too, would the H2. If the H2 is rated at 6700 - 7000 ... then I would not anticipate problems ... especially if you are only towing this unit a few times per year.
:cool

My Avalanche had the 5.3 Vortech and it was rated to pull 7100lbs. The truck weighed only 5500lbs and had a 3.73 rear end. It pulled it great so I hope the H2 will do the same. I'll find out tomorrow. I pick up my H2 today and I am going to take the trailer to Columbus tomorrow. This is a short trip that will give me a clue on what it can do. I'll keep you posted.
Thanks
John

PS Glad to see the member count is growing!!:)

Whoa John,

You don't want to tow ANYTHING during the break-in period! Read the book, or not, but it isn't very wise!

Thanks for the advise but I already thought of that. The fall is a hard time for us because we like to travel but this is also when the best deals on trucks are. When I was looking I decided to go purchase one that had several hundred test miles on it rather than on that only had 20. They also had to drive it 120 miles in from antoher dealer for me to look at. I know its a bad thing to tow during break-in but I felt better with one that had some time on it already. It pulled great. The motor didnt race up hardly ever and the mileage want bad IMO (6.5).

Thanks
John

Great John, I knew the H2 wouldn't dissapoint you. Enjoy your fall travels---and watch out for the nose prints on your windows from the "gawkers"! :seeya

I have been towing my C5 on an custom 18" tandem axle Aluminum trailer for the last couple of months. Gross weight of the trailer with car loaded, tools, etc. is around 6500-7000lbs. So far no problems with the longest pull being about 1300 miles from Lafyette, La. to Minneapolis, Mn.

I have added Long tube headers and Predator programming, which seemed to really wake up the truck and help with low end torque. In addition I have added the hotchkis Sway Bars and Lower Trailing Arms which have increased the overall stability while at highway sppeds.

I have been towing my C5 on an custom 18" tandem axle Aluminum trailer for the last couple of months. Gross weight of the trailer with car loaded, tools, etc. is around 6500-7000lbs. So far no problems with the longest pull being about 1300 miles from Lafyette, La. to Minneapolis, Mn.

I have added Long tube headers and Predator programming, which seemed to really wake up the truck and help with low end torque. In addition I have added the hotchkis Sway Bars and Lower Trailing Arms which have increased the overall stability while at highway sppeds.

Hey Medicnovo,
you were speaking of a GM discount for family etc., is that GM discount available for the 04' model as well??

Just curious, I may be in the market withing the month!:confused1

The Downpayment Assistance Program is for employees and family members. My father works for GM so I was able to get the discount. Only one discount per employee though. I just had make sure my father wasnt going to use it. Its good until the end of the year. I believe it is good on the '04's as well but I would call the number above to make sure.

John

Medicnovo: Personally, I think you will find the H2 to be a dissapointment if you will be towing 6700lbs. all the time. I tow a 3500lb. bass boat very frequently and although the H2 does it adequately, it is nowhere as good a tow vehicle as some of the recent vehicles I've owned (Expedition, Suburban, Excursion). The Excursion then Suburban probably being the best tow vehicles I've owned. You will probably find the H2 to struggle going up a moderate grade towing that kind of weight at highway speeds and find its transmission to shift frequently. If it matters, two-wheel drive makes for better towing than 4 wheel drive but I've always went with 4 wheel drive and never had a problem. As far as tow ratings go, I prefer to get much more than I'll ever need. The factory rating is only what the vehicle is capable of; but not neccessarily what is ideal.

JohnS

I have found just the opposite. Its pulls my trailer better than anything else I tried. My friends Expedition had enough power to pull it but the suspension was horrible. Even with a weight distributing hitch, the trailer pushed down the back of the truck. My Avalanche used to scream pulling up slight grades. The H2 does better at maintaining speed and keeping the RPM's down. The horsepower advantage alone makes a big difference. Maybe because its new, I think it is the greatest thing but it seems to work better for me.

If my memory serves me properly ... the transmission in the H2 is different than those in the Avalanche, Suburban, etc.:flag

I'm glad its working for you. Maybe I'm a little too picky since I've had some great tow vehicles. The H2 works for my situation also and I wouldn't trade it in at this time, it just isn't as good as some of what I had before.

The Expedition comes with several engine options and I had the 5.4 litre version. I didn't have suspension issues but I was only towing about 3500 lbs. I hear diesels are the towing machines!

JohnS

<<I hear diesels are the towing machines!>>

ABSO-FRIGGIN-LOOTLY!

A bit off topic ... but my Dad bought a Dodge Ram heavy 3/4 ton P/U with Cummins Turbo Diesel ... Towing package & Camper package. The thing is a monster ... even without 4WD. It can pull whatever it wants (well, almost).
:flag

Iam getting ready to pull a trailer with my H2. However I need it to be 6" lower. I know what you are thinking but just wait. First I have a flat trailer (10'x7') that fits on a 2" ball. Second I have a weight distibution hitch for my travel trailer. What I want is a lowering device that would fit into my reciever and lower down 6" to another reciever to accept both of my hitches. It must be rated for 7000 Lb and TW of 1000 Lb. I have not been able to find what Iam looking for with these weight limits. help! thanks