Towing With H3

[realniceguy5000]

Hi,

I'm new to the forum and new to towing as well. We were looking into buying a coleman Avalon pop up camper I wanted to know if I would have any problems with my Hummer pulling it. I dont really understand the in's and out's of towing. My hummer is rated at pulling 4500lbs the popup has a unloaded weight of 3805 Hitch weight of 365 The max the popup can carry is 4600lbs. The dealer said I would not have any problems. However I'd rather ask some advice before I buy. I was thinking I still have all the gear a couple dogs and my wife and child to load up in the hummer. I'm thinking I have to add all those weights up?

Anyway Can Anyone offer any advice or clear my mind some... lol

Thank You, Mike

[fourfourto]

Why so heavy for a pop up ?
mines 3,200 light 290 hitch wt about 4,000 heavy
I had a problem with some long hills ,overall the H3 does the job.
If you dont have a 2006 you have 20 more HP to pull the load.

Check search might have more info.

Link http://www.elcovaforums.com/forums/s...ad.php?t=37803

[realniceguy5000]

Originally Posted by fourfourto

Why so heavy for a pop up ?
mines 3,200 light 290 hitch wt about 4,000 heavy
I had a problem with some long hills ,overall the H3 does the job.
If you dont have a 2006 you have 20 more HP to pull the load.

Check search might have more info.

Link http://www.elcovaforums.com/forums/s...ad.php?t=37803

Thanks for the info...

I really dont know why it is so heavy. I do have a 2008 with Auto. Adventrue package 33 inch tires. It came with a trailer hitch as well. Your trailer looks like it should be heavier than my pop up... I guess looks can be off some.

Anyway here is the link to the popup I am looking at. It is 16' long
http://www.colemantrailers.com/avalon

Anyway I was just concerned about using the hummer to pull it. But thanks again for some direction...

Mike

[fourfourto]

Mike
It shouldnt be a problem if you take it easy on hills.
I didnt have a power to pull problem,it was the premature downshift to second .
The 08 might be programed differently.
I noticed early downshifting without pulling the camper up a steep hill in GA (some state park where you can see 4 states)
In that case it wouldnt hold second and I had to go up in low.

[realniceguy5000]

Originally Posted by fourfourto

Mike
It shouldnt be a problem if you take it easy on hills.
I didnt have a power to pull problem,it was the premature downshift to second .
The 08 might be programed differently.
I noticed early downshifting without pulling the camper up a steep hill in GA (some state park where you can see 4 states)
In that case it wouldnt hold second and I had to go up in low.

Great!!! Thanks for your help. I really shouldn't worry so much. I mean I also have a Jeep V8 5.7 Hemi as well. Just that car isn't as much fun as the go any where hummer...

Do you have sway bars or load levelers devices when you Tow yours? I read some where that people use those sometimes to help even the loads out or use them to help the trailer stay in line?

The way I figue it all the gear will be in the trailer and all the livestock will be in the hummer so I'm guessing it should even out pretty well.

Thank You,

I just thought better to seek advise before jumping into a popup that a salesman said "any car can pull this popup"Not sure Ive seen to many cars pulling this popup down the road. :-)



Mike

[fourfourto]

I use a regular hitch with a 2 inch drop(I have aftermarket hitch)
A 4 inch drop should be good for you.
I only use a friction sway bar on the one side,it works well.
Link http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/I...D:100000189607
I only got a noticable sway at 80+mph (passing a tractor trailer or windy)
Good cruzin speed 60 to 70 MPH.

[realniceguy5000]

Originally Posted by fourfourto

I use a regular hitch with a 2 inch drop(I have aftermarket hitch)
A 4 inch drop should be good for you.
I only use a friction sway bar on the one side,it works well.
Link http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/I...D:100000189607
I only got a noticable sway at 80+mph (passing a tractor trailer or windy)
Good cruzin speed 60 to 70 MPH.

Thanks again for the advice and wisdom... I appreciate it...I guess all that's left is to go pick up my new trailer...lol

Thanks again, Mike

[fourfourto]

List some picks of your camper and setup.