Did I do all of my homework???

[Ricard350]

Hi,

I just brought my first TT a Surveyor SP-293 and I just want to make sure my vehicule can tow it, after reading a lot, its seems ok but a bit border line.

TT Specs

29'
Tongue Weight - approx 560
Dry Weight - 4804 lbs tanken from the yellow sticker

Tow vehicule

2007 Hummer H2
Wheelbase 122"
MAx trailer weight - 6700 lbs
Hitch sticker says 7000lbs weight limit
Max tongue weight 700 with WD hitch, 2008 year is 1000lbs, h2 body/frame are the exact same in 08 they changed the motor/tranny
Curb Weight : 6400lbs
GVWR : 8600lbs
GCWR : 13 500lbs

I figure that I should be ok, even if im sightly above, 2008 rating are much higher, and yet we have the same body/frame/brakes, so my rating are probably more on the safe side to protect the powertrain. With a dedicated transmission cooler, I think I should be safe pulling my TT @ 55mph with smalls slopes.

What do u guys thinks of my setup?

[crasher]

I think your hitch weight when you are loaded with propane, battery and all your stuff will be above 700. How big of bars did you get? what size engine in your H2?

[Ricard350]

engine is 6.0 vortec

Im gonna have a WD hitch with the TT.

What do u mean by "How big of bars did you get?"

What bars are u refearing to ?

[Dave_Monica]

I'd agree that the hitch weight will be over 700#.

The camper dry weight delivered will be closer to 5200#, add a 1000# for supplies and gear brings you to 6200#. For good towing behaviour, it's suggested that the tongue weight should be 13% of the total weight or 806#.

Dave

[crasher]

The WD equalizing bars that come with your hitch setup. They come in a variety of sizes - you are going to need the 1000# bars probably.

However, since I posted, I read the Edmunds review on your truck. They say even though it has a 6 liter, that it feels wheezy and underpowered unloaded because your truck is so heavy. They measured 11 seconds 0-60 unloaded and 9 mpg. Coupled with your short wheelbase, this will not be a very satisfactory towing experience for the trailer you selected. I'd recommend you get a crew cab pickup to tow this trailer - with the weight at 6000# or so, you can probably find one nicely matched. Plus you'd have a much longer wheelbase, which would be nice with a 29' trailer.

Good luck!

[Ricard350]

The 2008 manual states 1000 lbs limit, and its the same hitch, class III hitch on H2 are part of the frame they are molded with, its not an addon. From 2003 up to 2009 H2 body/frames stayed the same. I think they revised numbers for 2008 when they added the new 6.2L engine that had 65more hp and the 6 speed tranny.

Ill check when im gonna tow it on friday....

[Dave_Monica]

Do you have a W/D hitch with integrated sway control?

Dave

[MtnGuy]

Agree with others that the hitch weight is gonna probably be over 700 lbs. Check the hitch sticker further....there should be weight carrying and weight distributing figures. Usually, the weight distributing tongue weight is 10% of the total sticker....in this case 700 lbs. Too close for comfort.

A 33 footer is a lot of trailer for a 122" wheelbased vehicle.

What type of WDH and sway control will be used ??

[Ricard350]

Its gonna be included in the Sale, told me its worth about 1 000$cnd the WD hitch bar with the antisway etc.

[MtnGuy]

Originally Posted by Ricard350

Its gonna be included in the Sale, told me its worth about 1 000$cnd the WD hitch bar with the antisway etc.

Ricard350, the 1st post indicated that you already bought the trailer. Your last post indicate a future purchase. If it is a future purchase, see what others have to say on this forum before biting the bullet. IMHO, I don't think you are going to be comfortable towing the SV293 with your Hummer.

[Ricard350]

I brought the trailer and i havent picked it up yet, its gonna be ready on friday.
I figure that 6700 tow limit, vs a 4800 dry weight, i did not think i would go past 6700 lbs even with my stuff in, as for the tongue weight, i see ppl towing 24' with dodge caravan, i figure i was good with my hummer..... since its a 3/4 ton frame

[Dave_Monica]

Originally Posted by Ricard350

as for the tongue weight, i see ppl towing 24' with dodge caravan, i figure i was good with my hummer

All I can say is that's a really poor way to decide what's acceptable. I've seen set-ups that you shake you head at and make sure that you're not travelling in the same direction.

Dave

[Ricard350]

I brought the trailer, im taking possesion of it on friday. I figures with my max tow rating of 6700lbs i would not go over it, and would probably be close to 6000lbs which was correct imo. Then goes the tongue weigth etc... then i remember seeing some ppl towing 22' to 24' TT with a dodge caravan so i figured my hummer could handle it since it a 3/4 ton SUV.

So looks like i havent done my homework correctly..... it soo confusing....

[Ricard350]

oops double post thats what happen we u talk on forums @ work!

[Dave_Monica]

If I were you, I'd find out what hitch the dealer is intending to set-up. It shouldn't be anything less than a Equal-i-zer or Reese Dual Cam. Both have excellent sway control features in addition to weight distribution that's a must with your combination of shorter wheelbase TV and long camper. I'd also familarize myself with the installation process as I'd never trust the dealer to get the set-up right. The set-up has to be spot on, not 'good enough'.

Dave

Dave

[Dave_Monica]

Here's the links to Equal-i-zer and Reese hitches...

Equal-i-zer® Hitch - The “American Original” with 4-Point Sway Control™ and Weight Distribution

http://www.reeseprod.com/content/pro...600&catID=1655 &part=0

Dave

[crasher]

sorry dude, we're not trying to make you feel bad. it is confusing - the manufacturers throw out a bunch of variables/parameters - violate one of them and it's a no go - even if you satisfy some of them.

You do see people running - and some even reporting in this forum - in an overloaded condition seemingly without problem. But eventually, welds fail, axles fail, transmissions fail, engines blow up, brakes fail, etc. You just don't know exactly when. Could be that your hummer can pull that trailer clear across the country without problem. Could also be that you don't make it across town because your hitch shears off.

Advice always is to be cautious.

[Briorick]

Excellent advice guys! Confusing is such an "Understatement".

When I got my 06' 4WD Trailblazer ( traded in my 4WD Grand Cherokee Jeep ) my first questions were what it's towing ratings and capabilities were. I didn't care that it was a 4WD Trailblazer per say, just that it was capable of pulling my Pup, in the same manner as my GC Jeep had done.

Since I have recently upscaled to a larger, heavier pup, my concerns were at the forefront again, but this time I was ready and did the math. We performed the "bathroom scale" tongue weight test ( loaded and ready to camp ) and my TV is really happy.

If I had went by the manufacturers figures and over-bought to a larger TT according to their specs, no telling how long, or short, my TV would have lasted.

I agree, you can never be too overly careful.

[Herk7769]

This camper has a fully loaded weight of 7,191 pounds (dry weight plus payload). With a 13% tongue weight you will have 934 pounds additional load on your Hummer's frame.

http://www.rvguide.com/specs/forest-...rt/sp-293.html

IMO, I think you will be very unhappy with the way it tows when you are loaded for camping and I think your Hummer will be overloaded with your family and gear on board. You will most likely exceed your Hummer's GVWR and GCWR in addition to the max tow ratings.

http://www.cars.com/hummer/h2/2007/specifications/


Again, JMO and you should be very careful with your speed until you understand what towing that combination will be like.

[bakken]

Ricard, since you have already bought the trailer, just try it out and see how it works. Notwithstanding all of the scary replies you have received, it might pull just fine.
Just one suggestion, you may want to load your camper a bit on the light side. We carry everything we could ever use, as we have lots of spare towing capacity, but could leave half of our stuff behind if we really had to.
Good luck!