So, who's gone offroading?

I am curious about this, as I haven't gone offroading in years, but would surely like to get back into it if I buy the H2. Nothing to serious of course, but some off road courses in the desert might be a lot of fun.

As we all know, 98% of SUVs sold never travel off anything worse than a gravel road... But, I am sure the H2 numbers are a bit more skewed in the right direction.

So, who all has been offroad, and how was it?

I have taken mine off-roading numerous times and it is really great! I love the shorter wheel base than my Suburban and the air suspension works well. Last September the Southern Calif. Hummer Dealers invited buyers and prospective buyers to the Bacara Ranch in Santa Barbara where they set up 3 different courses....the mountain course, the river course, and the perimeter course. They didn't want us to take our own H2's and H1's for fear of damaging them so they provided us with approx. 80 brand new H2's and 4 or 5 new H1's! It was a fairly challenging course especially for those who had never driven off- road. It was a great event. I also do alot of moutain off-roading also.

I've had mine off-roading... Not a lot of good places to go in the Northeast. I have been to Paragon Adventure Park, www.paragonap.com Good place for any level of off-roading.

Had mine out just after we had 2ft of snow. Worked great, even had to tow a few folks out. If there was any negative with the H2 it would be the size. Meaning some of the trails where pretty narrow and the H2's size caused things to get mighty tight between trees and branches banging off the side galore. Sure our west coast brothers don't have these issues with all the open space out that way. Little jealous for sure!

Thanks guys. Sounds like a blast. I will definitely have to check out the Socal group you mentioned. Would have loved to get an invite! That is awesome on the dealers providing the vehicles. Gotta love that.

I hear a Hummer dealership up near Milwaukee actually built a small offroad course right there are the dealership, so prospective buyers can try them out. Now that is a good idea!

In short, the H2 exceeded my expectations wildly. I went to Moab 2 weeks after I got it, with 2 friends that have monster Jeeps - and I do mean MONSTER. We did some really difficult stuff, and I was amazed that the stock H2 - in many situations - outperformed the Jeeps. You can check out some pictures from my Moab trip at http://stevehelle.freeservers.com/4wheeling.htm. I even did the Golden Crack and my jaw dropped at how the H2 made that with ease.

For the average owner who wants to go offroading, it will exceed your expectations and you won't want for anything. For me, it handles everything well, but has the following deficiencies for extreme situations (my twice a year Moab trip): 1) clearance - I want another 3 inches, and am pursuing a suspension lift. I have the 2" rear air and that is a BIG help. But, I drug the frame on some ledges in Moab., 2) tires - I'm going to go with 37" for my next Moab trip, 3) rear air lift - a complaint on how it was engineered - the truck's computer turns it off at 25 mph and above, but there is no light that goes off. So, when you speed up and then hit some tough stuff where you need it, you have to remember to turn it back on.

Overall H2 assessment after 6 months: 1) unbeatable off-road, except by an H1, 2) incredible highway ride, 3) several trips to the service dept. due to 1st year glitches (all minor, and typically timed with a 3k oil change), 4) great room for a family of 5.

The link above for Shelle doesn't work (period on the end of the link) use this one:
http://stevehelle.freeservers.com/4wheeling.htm

Shell I did a Hummer meet last weekend here in AZ and it was great. You are correct in saying that the H2 is amazing. I was amazed at how it worked. I will explore if we can leave the rear air on after 25 as I am in the electronic industry. I will keep you informed.

Randy

Shell I did a Hummer meet last weekend here in AZ and it was great. You are correct in saying that the H2 is amazing. I was amazed at how it worked. I will explore if we can leave the rear air on after 25 as I am in the electronic industry. I will keep you informed.

Randy

Here are some good offroad photos (H1 and H2) from a recent trip.. Enjoy!

http://www.hummerteam.com/hummer_team_agr_wheelin_ranch.asp

Trav

took my H2 out for the first time this weekend,and it did great ! http://temp.corvetteforum.net/c5/strypr//h2_off_road_016.jpg :)

:cool I Dirt bike on the lake arrowhead and Gorman area and wanted to know if the H2 could handle the black diamond trails that even we sometimes have trouble with on bikes, I was very surprised of how off road capable this truck is, there are a couple of rocky massive uphill trails and there I was, A/C and all with some two wheel expectators to cheer.

Anyone in the So Cal area that want a little challenge, I know of some nice trails about an hour from L.A.

Best off road vehicle I have ridden!.

To answer your question, yes the H2 is plenty capable. Expecially with the right tires, air suspension, etc.
Email me if you want to go out. I'm in So cal.

To answer your question, yes the H2 is plenty capable. Expecially with the right tires, air suspension, etc.
Email me if you want to go out. I'm in So cal. Anytime guy! We have a hummer group that goes out once a month, but not always where I would like to go. Here's a photo of my Decked out H2. The dealer says there's not another one like it!
Joe Bronson

where did that post with the video clip go?! was it removed for showing an H2 breaking down where it shouldn't have broke down?

Originally posted by siglo
where did that post with the video clip go?! was it removed for showing an H2 breaking down where it shouldn't have broke down?

I removed the user and the post accidentally went with it. The video was pretty cool actually.

found the link :)

http://sajeeps.billmcgaw.com/video/KilledIT.wmv

Painful to watch.

Okay I must admit..i like the H2...especially the yellow ones! I am a jeep guy, and forever will be a Jeep guy. My friend monica has an H2 and i have taken it offroad just for the "feel". The h2 is plenty capable on "trail rides". But as for Rocks(my fav)..they dont have the clearance. Mud...they are like the titanic...sink so fast(but they look good doing it!). To be marketed as the most capable offroad vehicle...i would say not!

But, it did more than I expected...and I was happy with the results...you can drive around a vehicle that looks good...and do some light offroading...:thumbs

"But as for Rocks(my fav)..they dont have the clearance."

Just curious but what stock vehicles have a lot more (more than an inch) clearance than a stock H2 :rant

Why do I think all these jeeps that are so good in rocks have lift kits and oversize tires - but then maybe I am mistaken and they're stock also. If they're not stock then IMHO comparing them against a stock H2 is much like comparing apples against expensive oranges :jester

Just curious but what stock vehicles have a lot more (more than an inch) clearance than a stock H2 :rant


A stock H1 maybe (16in.)? :P

but still.. the H2 has 10in. clearance (10.7in. with air suspension engaged).. which is not bad.. but considering how it is being marketed it should be more..

For example, the stock Range rover can be raised from 8.8in. to 11.1in. which is an extra 2.3 inches.. and this is standard on all Models.. compared to the H2's optional Air suspension system that give you only 0.7in extra which is quite lousy if you ask me.. :cool

Originally posted by GhostRider
"But as for Rocks(my fav)..they dont have the clearance."

Just curious but what stock vehicles have a lot more (more than an inch) clearance than a stock H2 :rant

Why do I think all these jeeps that are so good in rocks have lift kits and oversize tires - but then maybe I am mistaken and they're stock also. If they're not stock then IMHO comparing them against a stock H2 is much like comparing apples against expensive oranges :jester

Okay ghost rider you make a good point about comparing a modded jeep to a stock H2. But an H2 has a LONG wheelbase, and gets high centered a lot easier than a stock wrangler. My jeep was stock, and i have takin it through hell...i took the stock H2 through the same trail i took my then stock jeep...and the performance does not even compare. Too long, and WAY too heavy...but i've seen some modded H2's and i was impressed...dont get my wrong, i am not here to have flame wars with you all...just get different opinions. Also, for those who even take their H2 offroad, and not just over speed bumps...i'd wheel with ya anytime...

XCANEZ, I am familiar with the longer wheelbase providing for the potential for high centering compared to a short wheelbase. Strangley the longer wheelbase is one of the features I consider a plus compared to my current 4X4 ride, a shorter wheelbase sitting on 33X12.50's . I figure the ride has to be a lot smoother .
I do not disagree the H2 can't go places a jeep can and certainly it will sink very quickly in mud. I certainly would not pick a stock H2 to run the Rubicon. I was only arguing clearances, rabble rouser that I am know to be - that's all :D
Have fun, enjoy your jeep :thumbs - nevertheless I still wanna H2 and won't ever buy a Chrysler oops Jeep product again :seeya

had to take the video offline from my site...the number of downloads from 6 different forums was killing my bandwidth. Let's just say that when my provider called me about it - it was obviously getting out of hand (and we are running a very fat pipe)!

If somebody wants to see the video of the ol H2 Tie-Rod going "ker-snap" send me an email at bill.mcgaw@cfcti.com and I will provide you with a download link.