Towing with an H3?

I'm looking into getting one, but I'm worried how it will tow my sport nautique. Anyone have any experience with the H3 and know if it is any good towing? It's only a 5 cylinder so that might not cut it.

Buy a Trailblazer, it's cheaper and the same thing.

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quote:

Buy a Trailblazer, it's cheaper and the same thing.

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Different motors.

Bryce, take your boat to the dealer with you and try it out.

I agree with the trailblazer, you can get a 6 cyl or a v8 and will tow at least 5k. It rides on a different chasis than the H3. The H3 is the same as the chevy colorado, which is smaller, lighter, and tows less.

unless you get the V-8 H3 i think that tows 5900#.....

I didnt think they made the H3 with a V8. I thought it was 5 cyl mx.

H3 Alpha has a 5.3l V8

Yeah, I'm not sure if the H3 will be the best choice. Heck for half the price I might as well get a colorado. I just sold my 05 tacoma and looking to get another vehicle. Not looking to go full size, but something that will tow okay. I might just get another Tacoma, it towed just fine. That 5 cylinder motor seems tiny for the H3 frame, but maybe it's just me.

just step up and get one of these.......

It will get the job done, but you won't win any land speed races.

it is tiny man. I have a buddy that has one and he hates it. It won't tow his boat worth crap.

+1 for its towing is worthless...

my old girlfriend had one and I towed once with it, aweful.

If I wanted a hummer, I would ask you for one...

lol - kidding. I was just looking at the Hummer truck, but decided against it because I didn't think it would tow well enough.

I have a Jeep Commander Limited V8 (all the accessories) and it tows great. With Chrysler hurting as bad as they are, you can get an awesome deal on one.

H3's are unibody, aren't they? Do they even make a class III hitch for them?

Here's a towing opinion from somebody who has owned a Suburban for only 6 months, and a boat for less than that. So take it for what it's worth...

My boat weights 3,900lbs. dry... so probably 5,500 on the trailer with 65 gallons of gas in the tank (yep, my gas tank is THAT big).

My Suburban can tow 8,000lbs. It is the 1/2 ton version with 5.7L V8 and all the tow goodies the factory offers.

I bought the Suburban thinking it would be PLENTY of tow capacity for whatever boat I chose. My neighbor has a Tahoe and a 19' Bayliner. He says he can't even feel his boat back there.

I have only towed the boat 3-4 times with it, and never more than 30 minutes from home.

SUMMARY: I can't imagine towing a boat of this size with less than my rig... that is to say, it's not nearly as "effortless" as I thought. I DEFINITELY feel the boat back there... especially over bumps in the road and up hills. It doesn't feel unsafe or anything. The Sub does just fine. I just can't imagine doing it with less vehicle. Now I finally understand those tow rig snobs who won't tow with anything less and 3/4 ton diesel. The Suburban is my family car, so a 3/4 ton diesel would never work, but part of me wishes I got a 3/4 ton Suburban (although they don't come in LTZ trim) or an Escalade for the bigger motor.

So if I were you, I wouldn't screw around with Tacomas, H3's, or any other mid-size rig. Get a vehicle rated to tow several thousand lbs. more than your boat (include gas, gear, and trailer in your calculation). That means 1/2 ton truck or SUV at a minimum.

Seriously, why are you screwing around with such little tow rigs? Why would you do that to yourself? I would just be pissed/frustrated at myself everytime I towed the boat.

These days the V8's get better gas mileage than the mid-size trucks/suv's. Better off just stepping up to a full-size.

I tow with an 08 GMC Sierra 1/2 ton and I don't think it's even enough....

ixfe,
You're opinion is great testimony to why I've been towing with 3/4 ton Subs since the late '80s

My sub has a tow rating of 12,000 lbs. While some may think that's overkill, I see it as an added margin of safety, and performance.

I see some pretty scary set ups rolling down the highway sometimes, where it looks like the tail wagging the dog, and I stay as far away from those guys as I can.

Yes, John... you are reinforcing my point. 1/2 ton is adequate, but not as comfortable as one might hope.

Personally, I don't see the value proposition on mid-size trucks and suv's. They are smaller, tow less, haul less, and gas milage is just as bad. So unless you have a serious garage contraint, why bother with mid-size?

(Message edited by ixfe on April 01, 2009)

I've never understood the appeal of mini / midsize trucks & SUV's either, for the same reasons.

I have to say that I second that.
We tow an 18ft Stingray with an xterra and I find myself cursing under my breath every time I have to pull out in traffic, stop in traffic, and pull the boat up from the ramp. Right now I found myself searching craigslist on a near daily basis for a cheap but suitable tow vehicle. With the auto industry the way it is right now, both new and used values are falling fast. As an example, an '02 F-250 supercab turbo diesel with less than 100,000 miles values at around 16k. More than enough towing capacity, seating for 4 and that diesel still has as much life left as a new gas engine.

We own an H3 ,and have towed my Malibu with it and it sucks. If its going to be your primary tow vehicle go with a truck. They don't have much room inside or much power under the hood. There great in the snow, thats about it.

Hummers arent good for anything, unless in a H1, the H2 is just a suburban with a different body, and the H3 is even worse.

don't know about the H3.. but the H2 is an under-powered POS when it comes to towing or even just driving in high elevation. I'm putting a supercharger on next week.. hopefully help it some.

towing with an H1...mmmmm that sounds like a plan!!

Hey nice Truck. That will work perfectly

That would tow it easily, i tow mine with an audi a6 1.8 turbo, and its never let us down

Jason your right, I rented an H3 last snowboard trip and that thing was awesome in the snow!