Hello everyone I live in Arizona and am in the market for my first off road vehicle. Naturally my first thought was Hummer H3T. However, my long time off roading neighbor advises me to avoid Hummer H3Ts as they are nothing but a fancy dressed by Chevrolet Colorado or GMC Canyon. Is this true? How does the Hummer H3T compare to the small size pickups or full size trucks (with less than $1,000 in modifications). For off road I am looking dirt hills, ravines, sand, and general trails.

Thanks

 

Your neighbor is ignorant of the facts. I don't mean this in an insulting way, it seems the general population thinks of Hummers (other than the H1) as simply re-badged GM trucks. Without getting into details about the different frame, suspension, etc. let me just ask this:

Name a single mid-sized truck other than the H3T that comes with 33" (285/75/16) or larger tires stock, can run 35" (315/75/16) without a lift or modifications, and has front and rear lockers stock. Of course there is a lot more to wheeling than tire size and lockers, but it's a good start. Go read reviews where the H3T was actually taken off road and tested.

As I've said many times on this forum, I'm not a Hummer fanboi. I hold no allegiance to the brand, and quite honestly if I could have the same functionality and offroad ability in a GMC/Chevy branded version of the same thing I would. IMHO, the H3T is the best offroad truck you can buy. I'm not saying that because I have an H3T, I have an H3T because all my research led me to that conclusion. I'm a Jeep guy at heart, having owned and wheeled several in the past. As soon as Jeep comes out with a 4 door Wrangler Rubicon Truck, I'll probably go back to being a Jeep owner.

 

Only the Adventure Package has the front and rear lockers though right?

Also how is the 5 cylinder in the H3T?

 

Answered my own question, ignore my above post.

So I have decided I most likely will purchase the H3T but need some help with an inexpensive winch mount system. I am looking at the following:

H3 HIGH-MOUNT WINCH MOUNT BRACKET / 2006-2010 HUMMER H3 & H3T
Free shipping helps keep the cost down. Only con is that I will also need to purchase a separate grill guard.

Hummer H3 Winch Brushguard by Steelcraft
The all in one construction would be a pro because in theory one solid piece will be stronger. I found it at the below link for about a $100 less and free shipping making this the most appealing option. However it is very cheap, can it even sustain the use of a 9,000 pound winch? Manufacturer is Steelcraft.
New Black Grille Bumper Guard H74148 Custom Fits H3 H3T w Winch Mount | eBay

What is your opinion on the two bumpers? I am trying to keep everything at a decent cost because I have to purchase the truck, winch & mount, possibly off road tires, portable compressor, first aid kit, emergency gear, etc...

 

My opinion is not to buy a cheap winch, or cheap anything for that matter. Buy the vehicle and then save up to get a good winch. I learned my lesson early on wheeling and buying cheap parts. You get what you pay for. Now if I don't have the money I wait until I do, then I get the best manufactured parts. JMHO.

 

Saving money will only cost you more money in the future. Never try to skimp just to save a few dollars, the majority of the time you will end up regreting it. What kind of and how much off roading do you plan to do? Just a mount or bumper mount set up? If you wheel a lot by yourself a winch is a must have, go with friends most of the time get some UCP first and a good ****** strap then bumper and winch when funds allow. Got a lot of Deer etc. that wander onto the highway, lot of trees, things to hit while offroading lol, save and go with ARB. One hell of a bumper and worth every cent. Thor Parts makes a smaller more simple looking bumper winch mount set up which works damn well but opens up more of the front protection of the tires. There are a few others, just depends on the kind of wheeling you plan to do, that would help with the recomendations better. Need to save on weight or looking for heavy duty? Going to do a lot of actual winching or more of a just in case thing? Like I said there are several to recommend even home made ideas if you are able and have the means. Oh yea, Four Wheeler Magazine 2009 truck of the year---H3T, and yes you're neighbor is just regurgitating what he has heard somewhere else with absolutely no clue or research to back up his uneducated opinion. No offence to him, just hate it when people eagerly voice their opinion on anything without actually knowing what they are talking about much like 70% of the people on the net lol. The Hummer brand has also recieved so much negative propaganda over the years from the tree hugger types and just plain Hummer haters that most people don't know actual facts when it comes to each model. Had a guy recently ask me a bunch of questions about my T while getting gas. Tripped out when he found out I get better gas milage than he does with his Dodge Challanger SRT8 and his old former pick up. He assumed most of the models where just like the H1 on MPG lol. You're gonna love your T. Pics as soon as you purchase it please.

 

I have the i5 in my T. It's definitely not a fast truck, and you're not going to be passing people going uphill towing a boat like in all truck commercials. But it's definitely enough to get you around without yelling at your truck for being slow. I did have a '93 Mustang with a 4cyl back in high school, and it was scary slow. I easily jump out into traffic, and accelerate on the on-ramp(just stay in 3rd longer, and 4th until cruising speed is reached). It's also enough for me when off roading as well. I've been on some steep stuff and never a hint of bogging down, but I guess the 4low is extra low in mine

With my i5 and a 5speed, I was able to get 22 mpg on the interstate(before I upgraded tires, you can see my recent thread on how it changed), and would average 17.5 to 18 mpg on a tank. Throw those stats at any full size owners crapping on a Hummer for being a gas hog.