increasing hummers towing capacity

[SpokaneWalt]

[quote]Originally posted by unaslob:

"the yukon with same engine can tow about 9500 lbs with a curb weight of about 6000 lbs so the engine can pull about 15500 lbs. again not bad

then the h2... can tow 7000 lbs... but only weighs 6800 lbs...so the engine can pull in theory only 13800 lbs... what the hell???

it is not a gearing issue at least in comparison to the yukon both 4.10"

The Yukon XL 2500 only comes with 245/75/16 tires, so a 4.10 in a Hummer H2 (with 34"-35") tires is not a true comparison to a 26" - 28" tall tire on the Yukon XL 2500.

The Yukon XL 2500 is a longer vehicle, with Leaf Springs (vs. the Coil over type on the H2)

The Yukon XL 2500 has a drive train that is quite a bit different - not full time 4x4 or "all wheel drive". A better comparison, drive train wise, would be to a Yukon Denali, as it has "All wheel Drive," and a Coil Spring type rear suspension. Basically the same engine and a "similiar drive train" (The Denali has no 4 Lo capability, no factory "locker," etc)

The max towing for the Yukon Denali or Denali XL is 8000 Lbs (+/-100), but the Max gross vehilce weight for the Yukon Denalis is around 7000 lbs vs 8600 for the H2. The "Vehicle Cargo" capacity for the H2 is 2200 lbs vs. about 1500 for the Yukon Denali. The denali has 3.73 rear end, which is closer to the H2 4.10 when you account for tire height.

So it is a give some here take some there and you get around the same max combined weight rating for both.

There are a bunch of other factors that probably reduce towing capacity for the H2- tow hitch height, sidewall stiffness of the tires, weight rating of the tires, gear ratio effects of tire height, etc.

Remember- it is a "rating" or "number" - the other GM SUVs (Yukon and Suburban types) have competing vehicles from other mfgs, which may cause the towing numbers to be a slight bit over-rated. The H2 has no equal from Ford, Dodge or any foreign make. So it may have a bit more "safety factor" built into the numbers. GM / AM General has no reason to bump the numbers up 500lbs or so for comparison reasons. My opinion is that the Suburban and Yukon XL 2500 are over-rated and and puching them to the max weights is too much for the vehicles (definetly too much for the factory receiver hitch - but that is another topic...)

Last, there was an issue with "cooling" for the trans, etc - and I would say that the cooling capability is comparable and fairly good from the factory on all vehilces mentioned.

Just my 2 cents (I am new to the board - looking to buy an H2 soon)

I am very familiar with the Tahoe/Suburban/Yukon/Yukon XL products.