I had a 2003 GMC Envoy that had max tow capacity of 6400lbs. I'm shocked the H3 Alpha is only 6000. I have a 22' (24' w/ swim platform) boat that I know is 4370 dry weight. I can't find the exact specs on my Shorelandr double axle trailer but would guesstimate 1500 pounds.

I used to pull this with the Envoy and felt like I was on the verge of being too heavy. The size of boat and trailer seemed to dwarf the Envoy, felt alot like the boat pushing the SUV, and that v6 had a hard time unless in the lower gears to get started off a stop or light.

Am I going to have an issue here with the H3? What are your thoughts or observations about towing here? 4370+1500+gear+gas+water=oh crap? Fingers crossed the trailer DOESN'T weight that much?

 

i hauled a 86 ranger 4x4 on a 2k lb trailer saturday with my 07 3.7 and it pulled and stopped better then my 89 f250. i cant see any issue with what you want to haul.

 

Is your trailer added in to that weight you wrote there?

 

My 3.7 H3 has 4500# rating, A 4.0 V6 pathfinder has 6000# rating.

 

I don't know what all goes into towing rating, but it's more than just whether or not the vehicle can pull and stop one with apparent ease. Things like tranny and diff strength are factored in, and I'm guessing in the case of the H3/H3T the fact that they are AWD (strength of the TC) affect it. Consider that things like a transmission cooler are part of towing packages that give a higher towing rating. Aluminum front diff housing - ya, that has to play a part int he 1,500 lb difference between the I5 and V8 H3s.

I have to believe that there is some safety margin in those numbers, and the occasional tow vs. daily/weekly towing will have a big affect. The occasional tow at around the max should be just fine. Regular towing over the rated max, even if the truck seems to pull and stop just fine, is going to lead to excessive wear and tear.

 

It is the wheelbase between the Alpha and the Envoy that changes the rating, not the muscle.

I hauled this Big Block 2330 Chap back to SE MI from just south of Milwaukee,WI with my 07 65MPH up big hills and 75MPH down the other sides. No worries.

 

It's more than that. The H3 Alpha has a 6,000 towing capacity while the longer wheelbase H3T Alpha is rated for 5,900.

 

Yes, but the center of gravity is higher for both Alphas, not so much with the lowly Envoy.

 

Right. I was just saying that a longer wheelbase doesn't necessarily mean higher towing capacity in otherwise nearly identical vehicles.

 

Thanks for the replies folks. I know there's no clear cut answer really other than stick with the recommended and I believe I'm close. Fortunately I don't tow it often (2x a year to bring home and clean up) and not far so perhaps I just give it a slow go, be cautious and see how it compares and contrasts to the Envoy. Time for a drop or adjustable receiver now, the Class IV I had from Lowes was horizontal and had 3 ***** but I think it'll sit too hit and create too much tongue weight.

I must have had it good with the Envoy comparably speaking to other SUVs in the 6cyl range as it was within rating but I'll tell you it looked and felt like a match box car pulling a yacht or cigarette boat and felt like it to boot!

Doc your picture is worth a thousand words I'm probably close to your 23' there, thanks. Am I safe to assume dual axle Shorelandr for 22-24' boat at approx 1500lbs??