Just got back from a week long, 1000m, roadtrip vacation with the '08 H2 pulling a 4k lbs travel trailer. The most surprising thing was the 9.1mpg. I'm quite happy with that. I just wish it had a bigger tank. But I think it can do better.

When towing on any sort of an incline or head wind you are in 4th gear at 3k rpm's doing about 70. 5th gear is only used on flat or down hill (tail wind) at 70mph and 2200 rpm's. 3rd gear is used at 3500-4000 rpm's for those steep inclines doing about 65mph. 2nd gear is a huge jump but still used at about 4k rpms for extremely steep hills and 50mph. 6th gear is completely out of the question. The only time I used 6th gear was down a 6% grade at 80mph and 2k rpms. I like to tow at 70-75mpg (I'm i AZ w/ 75mph limits).

I know I have 3.73 gears but I am thinking that if I regear to 4.56 (a 22% reduction) that I will be able to use gears 3,4,5, and 6 while towing. Right now I'm pretty much only using 3 and 4 with the occasional 5th gear.

I believe I have slightly larger than stock sized tires w/ 325/60r20 BFG AT's.

So I'm asking if anyone has experience w/ towing and what are you impressions. And if you've regeared what have you noticed. I think 4.10's won't be enough and 4.56's is just right.

 

i have a 2009 H2, and thinking about tyre choices.. i currently run 295/60r20s (previous owner bought them) but thinking 35" or 37" did you regear in the end ? Did it make much difference ?

 

Haven't regeared yet. It'll be the next thing I do. I think I need to get the rpm's up to around 3500 for it to climb the hills. After regearing, I'll look into a supercharger maybe the procharger I1

 

I would do the 4.10 unless you only use it for towing. If so you are on track with the 4.56 gearing.

 

Just towed a 4k meHaul from Ole Miss to Ole New Mexico, 1200 miles on US49 and I-20, including the Jeezuz hills in DFW. Same experience as you but I won't push it beyond 3rd gear. Dang near called Mash Motors when we got to the hotel that night in Abilene for the diesel conversion!

I agree with Phil, 4.10 gears unless you're gonna be towing every other weekend, and a Procharger would really get things moving nicely. All things I'm looking at whenever that fakatka money tree blooms in the spring.

 

This past weekend I had the opportunity to drive the H2 on the freeway without towing the trailer (trailer got a flat). At 75mph in 6th gear i'm at 2000 rpms which is absolutely useless b/c any incline or headwind or slight acceleration and it down shifts. The truck just has too much wind resistance at those speeds to hold low rpm's.

I think 4.10's wouldn't be enough b/c it would just be a 10% increase in rpm's whereas 4.56 is almost 20%. So 75mph would be 2400rpm's something I think the H2 can reasonably hold.

It's something I'm hoping to get done this fall/winter.

 

id say that a 4.10 is a great compromise gear. esp when you arent towing, you can get the benefits of being a little higher ratio than a 4.56.

steve

 

You're rolling on 44's! What gears do you have?

 

4.10s LOL stockers in my 6.0

steve

 

Been a while but getting ready to pull the trigger on the gears. Unfortunately the guy (Joe) that did my gears on a previous truck at 4Wheeler Supply in Phoenix is no longer there so I'm a little hesitant. I know there are a few on this forum in AZ, any of you have someone you like that does gear?