H3T heavy pull

[SolidusJ]

As some of you all know I'll be heading out to TX next week, I'm planing to pull my wife 4 door G6 (4,350 LBS) on a 2 wheel dully. I'm just a little worried that the 3.7L is not going to enjoy the 1,200 mile pull. My bumper say 5,000 LBS max tow but with myself, 3 year old son, wife and 1 cat and maybe 100 LBS of stuff to live off before we got our house am I over loading the T? When I had the PCM tune I told them that I want the tow package also. Will the T do just fine? Planing to drive 400-500 miles a day and take a break every few hours. Any info would be great.

 

[benlaud87]

I have the alpha but I pulled over the 6000 the bumper states when I had to move from Florida to Maryland. I drove straight through and lived off of energy drinks. The car dolly has surge brakes right?

 

[SolidusJ]

I have the alpha but I pulled over the 6000 the bumper states when I had to move from Florida to Maryland. I drove straight through and lived off of energy drinks. The car dolly has surge brakes right?

Hmm not to sure but it's a uhaul
dolly so I believe it does.

 

[HUMMER INVESTMENTS]

I would think the T would be fine, because we have probably pulled 3000 lbs. ( our dump Trailer ).

 

[benlaud87]

I would say just monitor the temps with your watch dog scanner to make sure nothing freaks out. I would also be easy on the acceleration and braking. I know when I moved I stayed in the slow lane the whole time.

 

[cbetts]

You should be fine. Just take your time on accelerations and braking. I have had about 5500 pounds on mine running 35" tires and a stick shift and kept it at 55mph. Fifth gear was useless but I got the job done.

 

[Mr_Rich]

I made that drive in Dec. '74. I think there's something seriously wrong with your math. Let's see...loaded H3T towing a G6, wife, kid, and cat does NOT equal 400-500 miles per day. You won't be able to use OD or you'll seriously overstress your trans whether its manual or auto. You're going to hit some hills whether you stay north going through NC/ Tenn. or south through Alabama. You'll be revving out your engine and it's summertime. Reality check...

 

[SolidusJ]

I made that drive in Dec. '74. I think there's something seriously wrong with your math. Let's see...loaded H3T towing a G6, wife, kid, and cat does NOT equal 400-500 miles per day. You won't be able to use OD or you'll seriously overstress your trans whether its manual or auto. You're going to hit some hills whether you stay north going through NC/ Tenn. or south through Alabama. You'll be revving out your engine and it's summertime. Reality check...

When I head up to PA it's over 560 miles and I get it done with a trailer in 10 hours so I should be fine to do 400 miles at best.

 

[4speedfunk]

I did Indy to Rausch Creek last year with a small trailer. Lift, 35"s, bumpers, wife, dog, tools....it was pitiful. I could not do 70mph into a headwind, and I drove most of the way home in 3rd gear (with a PCM4less tune). The 5-cly just can't pull anything (including itself) with big tires. It still does great in low range but, it ain't got enough grunt for the highway. The constant downshifting was the most annoying thing I'de ever driven. Alpha guys probably don't have this problem.

That trip was the final nail. I got home...tore it apart to install 5.13s.

 

[cbetts]

That trip was the final nail. I got home...tore it apart to install 5.13s.

Okay, now you have my attention. Did you really locate a source for the gears to replace the OEM set in the H3 differentials? Please share! I would love to have slightly lower gearing for highway use as well.

 

[Portager]

The tow rating on the H3T with the I5 is 4,400 lbs, so you need a 50 lb tow dolly and make sure the gas gage in the G6 is on "E". However, the gross combined weight rating for the H3T with trailer is 9,461. Just adding the empty weight of the H3T and the G6 you're within 200 pounds of the GCWR.

I wouldn't recommend making a trip that long in excess of the manufacturers weight ratings. If you get into an accident your Insurance Company could deny the claim if your overloaded. If you drive slow and watch your temps you might make it, but is it worth the risk? Have your wife drive the G6 and take the kid and cat. Much better trip IMHO!

 

[Mr_Rich]

The tow rating on the H3T with the I5 is 4,400 lbs, so you need a 50 lb tow dolly and make sure the gas gage in the G6 is on "E". However, the gross combined weight rating for the H3T with trailer is 9,461. Just adding the empty weight of the H3T and the G6 you're within 200 pounds of the GCWR.

I wouldn't recommend making a trip that long in excess of the manufacturers weight ratings. If you get into an accident your Insurance Company could deny the claim if your overloaded. If you drive slow and watch your temps you might make it, but is it worth the risk? Have your wife drive the G6 and take the kid and cat. Much better trip IMHO!

That was exactly what I was trying to say with my first comment. I love my 3T, but I kept my full-size 350-powered truck for the "dirty jobs". I'm rebuilding the drivetrain in my K1500 as we speak...

 

[Mr_Rich]

As a matter of fact, I loaded two 700R4 trans to take to the shop yesterday. I definitely noticed how the truck felt once the trans were unloaded from the truck. You've got maybe 500-600 lbs. of cargo weight to handle before you start adding passengers and then you're pretty much done.

 

[4speedfunk]

No gears available for the AAM-7. I'm using a Dana44 on the front.

 

[Reloader]

Drive both vehicles. The rent on the dolly should pay the gas for the G6. Then you can load up both vehicles.

 

[cbetts]

Drive both vehicles. The rent on the dolly should pay the gas for the G6. Then you can load up both vehicles.

:yeahthat
Agreed. I was thinking you only had one driver available.

 

[SolidusJ]

:yeahthat
Agreed. I was thinking you only had one driver available.

Hey guys thanks for the info but due to my wife's heath she won't be driving. Well we are here in state of LA with 935 miles in and about 350 more to go. The T is doing great with the G6 behind running at 212 degrees max and 202 avg. Gas mpg is looking like 17 miles and keeping the rpm's at 2000.

 

[3Hummers]

Sounds like it is all working out. Maybe a few people going to Marbles Falls to check out the Offroad park in a few weeks. Watch the thread.

 

[Portager]

Glad it is working out OK. Sorry you're wife has health issues.

 

[SolidusJ]

Well I'm here in ft hood in one pice and everything fine.... I hate being somewhere new.

 

[auggie mathis]

glad you made it safley. welcome to texas

 

[3Hummers]

Next trip back I will drop you a PM and see about getting together.

 

[HUMMER INVESTMENTS]

Congrats on the transition. Glad it did pretty well!

 

[SolidusJ]

1,359 miles and 3 days latter I'm HERE!!!!!!!

[/IMG]

Hills were tough as hell but she made it just fine.

 

[Mr_Rich]

I'm glad you made it okay. My mom and dad were in a similar situation when I was a year old. It didn't turn out so well. In those days the roads were narrow two lanes for the most part. I don't push myself for just that reason, but I understand why you traveled the way you did. I mentioned the hills, didn't I? ;^)