Trucks and SUVs come with a slight rake to minimize the affect of towing on steering and braking. How much of an effect it has I can't tell you, but that is the reason they do it.

 

I'm skeptical about that, since 90% of their time is spent NOT towing. It is not logical to produce a vehicle that sacrifices steering and braking performance during 90% of their use in order to steer/brake better during just 10% of that use. In fact, I'd wager that many trucks and most SUVs NEVER tow a trailer, and seldom carry a full load. Next time you are driving down the highway, count how many SUVs and trucks you see that are heavily loaded/towing vs how many aren't.

 

Yeah, most of us hate the "jacked up Hot Rod" look too.
But we raise the front to match the rear.

 

I'm guessing that 90% is too low, and I agree that most are never used to tow and rarely are loaded down in the back. None of that changes the fact that trucks/suvs come with a rake to offset when they are loaded down. Between us I wouldn't be surprised if the real reason is more about appearance than anything else. Either way, if I were towing heavy things regularly, even as little as only a few times a year, I'd want the suspension setup for that.

 

sac·ri·lege
ˈsakrəlij
noun
violation or misuse of what is regarded as sacred.

 

The H3 rake has absolutely nothing to do with compensating for a load.... zero.

The rake was designed in for two reasons: 1) average fleet fuel economy - lower front keeps more of the front tires covered and increases aerodynamics; and, 2) NHTSA bumper impact standards - 2" lower front bumper better aligns with passenger car bumpers in the even of a crash. The H3 built in front T Bar adjustability for off road use, because once that thing leaves the dealer, they do not care what your MPG or bumper height is.

This has been kicked around many times before .... from a July 2010 post of mine on that topic:
"Old stuff, been kicked all over at a bunch of places..

1) MPG. Raise the nose approx 1" - 1.5" and knock off 1 MPG;

2) collision bumper alignment, is a federal safety standard, and they want to be within that required range. Not for the Hummer driver protection, but for the nit wit in the foreign chit shaker that take a head on."

I have had mine leveled up front (about 23.4") since weeks old. Bottom line, I have had 880# of flag stone in the rear and never really had the back lower than the front. Those rear springs have a pretty hardy rate.

 

Yup, gotta agree on the mileage aspect, for sure. When I bought my Alpha, I was consistently getting 15.75-16mpg, every tank, no matter the driving; highway, city...no matter. Then I raised the front by about 1.5". Now I'm getting, again consistently, 14.75-15mpg.

 

doc if you weigh over 120 lb are u overloaded?!

 

Lol I'm dead! Again, I'm dead!

 

I'm 100# over that, so must be?????