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| [GMCnet] tow vehicle [message #65975] |
Sun, 29 November 2009 16:54  |
Kim David McNeill Sim
Messages: 26
Registered: May 2008
Karma: 0
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Junior Member |
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Just a question on tow vehicles. My tow vehicle was involved in an accident and was totaled by the insurance company, goes to show never be the first vehicle at a stoplight when a person runs thru a stoplight coming the other way. No one hurt but my 1996 near perfect Saturn SW2 that got 30 mpg and did not use oil.
SInce it was totaled we decided to go with a Government Motors HHR since I read they can be towed 4 down even with an automatic tranny. Keep in mind I normally drive 55 to 60mph anyway.
But my BIG and main question is, is the HHR too heavy for my GMC with the stock tranny and drive unit. According to the specs it is 4,173 curb weight.
Since I have yet to really go anywhere with my GMC I can only read what everyone has said about having a higher ratio drive when towing most anything.
Thanks
Kim
Kim and Pat Simmons
'76 Eleganza II
New Richmond, Ohio
TZE166V101526
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| Re: [GMCnet] tow vehicle [message #65989 is a reply to message #65975] |
Sun, 29 November 2009 18:32  |
powerjon
Messages: 2446
Registered: January 2004
Karma: 5
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Senior Member |
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Kim,
The rule of thumb to follow when towing is lighter is always better.
So much for rules, Many tow the HHR and at 3155# ave. wt. you will
know it is back there and you will need aux. braking such as a brake
buddy or other units on the market if you already don't have it.
Towing with the 3.07 gear can be a challenge and you will need to add
extra cooling for the tranny as possibly an external cooler. A change
to 3.55 gears will really wake up the coach. You can also expect your
fuel milage to drop about another mpg. When we switched out towing
our 2001 Tracker, 4DR, 4WD to a 2009 Honda FIT we changed our towing
weight from just over 3000# to 2480# and gained just over a mpg back.
IMHO the Honda FIT Sport is probably the best bang for the buck.
It’s light, inexpensive, economical and surprisingly roomy, thanks to
a multiconfigurable
interior (almost 50 cu/ft) . Standard features include air
conditioning, an AM/FM/CD audio system with four speakers, auxiliary
audio input jack (for iPods and MP3 players), power windows, power
mirrors and power door locks, alloy wheels, tire pressure monitor,an
underbody aero kit, rear roofline spoiler, fog lights, keyless remote
entry, cruise control and a security system. I am sorry it this
sounds like a commercial but we really like the car. Not only that,
it is very peppy with 120 hp in a under 2500# car.
J.R. Wright
GMC GreatLaker
TZE Zone Restorations
77 Eleganza Custom (For Sale)
1975 Avion (Under Reconstruction)
Michigan
> Just a question on tow vehicles. My tow vehicle was involved in an
> accident and was totaled by the insurance company, goes to show
> never be the first vehicle at a stoplight when a person runs thru a
> stoplight coming the other way. No one hurt but my 1996 near perfect
> Saturn SW2 that got 30 mpg and did not use oil.
> SInce it was totaled we decided to go with a Government Motors HHR
> since I read they can be towed 4 down even with an automatic tranny.
> Keep in mind I normally drive 55 to 60 mph anyway.
>
> But my BIG and main question is, is the HHR too heavy for my GMC
> with the stock tranny and drive unit. According to the specs it is
> 4,173 curb weight.
>
> Since I have yet to really go anywhere with my GMC I can only read
> what everyone has said about having a higher ratio drive when towing
> most anything.
>
>
> Thanks
>
> Kim
>
>
> Kim and Pat Simmons
> '76 Eleganza II
> New Richmond, Ohio
> TZE166V101526
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GMCnet mailing list
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J.R. Wright
GMC GreatLaker
GMC Eastern States
GMCMI
78 30' Buskirk Stretch
75 Avion Under Reconstruction
Michigan
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| Re: [GMCnet] tow vehicle [message #66003 is a reply to message #65975] |
Sun, 29 November 2009 19:23 |
Ernest Dankert
Messages: 133
Registered: May 2007
Location: Ogden, New York
Karma: 1
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Senior Member |
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I tow a 07 HHR manual with my GMC. I have and use a brake buddy and have 3.50 gears. Started in Idaho Falls and make our way to NY via Glacier MT and side trips to Rocky Mt Nat Park. Unhooked to make the last 4 mi of Rabbit Ear pass CO and down the big hill into Denver, but that was unnecessary.
You will be ok with your rig if you stay in the flat lands. Get a transmission oil temp gauge and run synthetic in the transmission. Ragussa pan would not hurt either.
We did a 1300+ mi trip with the HHR tow this summer and averaged 7.3 mpg in central NY, PA, NJ, and VA. (403, Carb, heavy foot)
Another poster mentioned you will know it is back there, and I second that. I use Blue Ox tow gear and it was pretty easy to install the tow bracket. I back feed the brake lights and use the blue ox blocking diodes. You do have to remove one fuse in the passenger side fuse panel, my young 'uns are trained to prep for tow and prep for drive. They watch out the back window for the first mile or so for unplanned excitement.
We check one another's prep and use a check list. One morning we were hooking up and I was asked should smoke be coming from the engine wiring!!!!! I quick pulled the Blue Ox blue cable from the plug. Seems one of the tiny screws holding the wire into the connector had fallen out and created a dead short. Many of the screws were loose. Tested them all. I wrote blue ox and Good Sam and only heard back from Good Sam. (Trying to get the word out.)
GM will note that you have the tow equipment and will try to blame every little hiccup on it. For instance my wipers were intermittently malfunctioning, which I traced to a bad relay and the dealer was huffing and puffing about the tow wiring. Yes, the BCM computer is sensitive to poor wiring technique, but follow the instructions and you will be ok.
1977 Eleganza II
Ogden NY
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| Re: [GMCnet] tow vehicle [message #66016 is a reply to message #66007] |
Sun, 29 November 2009 20:19 |
Kim David McNeill Sim
Messages: 26
Registered: May 2008
Karma: 0
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Junior Member |
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Thank you all for answering, I guess I might need to look into a 3.55. I have the tranny cooler already as well as the brake buddy system. The towing gear is Falcon brand and I have contacted the manufacturer about what was going to be required beyond what I could salvage from the Saturn, so I am in pretty good shape there.
Well I am in no rush to do anything but just get the old gal ready for when we can take a trip towing the HHR. I have read and heard too many stories about being in the middle of nowhere with a vehicle which is why I bought into the HHR.
My other vehicle which would have been great to see behind a GMC is a Honda Insight, the original, that really does get the 55-60mpg. I have had it for almost 10 years, but it is not towable. Besides fitting in two dogs-BIG boxers with my wife and I, we would smash what suspension the Insight has. Thus the reason for wanting a slightly larger vehicle then a Fit.
That and I can use the HHR to contain and carry all my photo gear on location when clients need me take my studio to them, I have and take a lot of gear on location.
Thanks again for your advice and help.
Kim
Kim and Pat Simmons
'76 Eleganza II
New Richmond, Ohio
On Nov 29, 2009, at 8:37 PM, Jim Galbavy wrote:
>
>
> Kim,
>
> I agree with all that have responded to you. I looked at the HHR and may still get one. I mostly do flat land Eastern States driving but would upgrade the gears from 307 to 355.
>
> I was looking at a local Tracker that I liked but the owner now is going to hold on to it. I can't fault him, nice car, payed off and in this economy don't want to add on the additional finance and insurance expenses. I now kick myself for not buying Steve F's Tracker when he put it up for sale. Live and learn.
>
> jim galbavy
> '73 X-CL (ANNIE)
> Chesterfield, Va
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>
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| Re: [GMCnet] tow vehicle [message #66017 is a reply to message #65975] |
Sun, 29 November 2009 20:37 |
jknezek
Messages: 1057
Registered: December 2007
Karma: 5
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Senior Member |
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I haven't yet towed my HHR, though it's probably a matter of time, but I will testify to it being the most useful vehicle I ever owned. It is extremely versatile with the cargo area and fold flat seats, gets great gas mileage (25-30mpgs with the larger engine on Birmingham's hilly roads and highways) and I've yet to have a problem with my 2006. I even use it to tow a small utility trailer to and from home depot and the little 4 cylinder has held up well. I will echo whoever spoke about GM looking for any excuse to pin service on unrelated problems. They raised seven kinds of heck when they saw I added the small uhaul hitch. I hadn't even brought it in for a problem, just a recall, and you'd think I had tried to claim it was a lemon. Anyway, 80K miles on mine and it has proven to be a very good choice for us. Let me know how it tows!
Thanks,
Jeremy Knezek
1976 Glenbrook
Birmingham, AL
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| Re: [GMCnet] tow vehicle [message #66057 is a reply to message #65975] |
Mon, 30 November 2009 07:32 |
fred v
Messages: 999
Registered: April 2006
Location: pensacola, fl.
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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we tow a Scion XB '05. it weighs 2600Lb. and is very roomy inside. the new ones are heavier, i hear.
Fred V
'77 Royale RB 455
P'cola, Fl
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| Re: [GMCnet] tow vehicle [message #66116 is a reply to message #66003] |
Mon, 30 November 2009 13:51 |
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mike miller
Messages: 3576
Registered: February 2004
Location: Hillsboro, Oregon
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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| Ernest Dankert wrote on Sun, 29 November 2009 17:23 |
... GM will note that you have the tow equipment and will try to blame every little hiccup on it. For instance my wipers were intermittently malfunctioning, which I traced to a bad relay and the dealer was huffing and puffing about the tow wiring. Yes, the BCM computer is sensitive to poor wiring technique, but follow the instructions and you will be ok.
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It is a good idea to try and avoid tapping into the towd OEM wiring is possible. If there is room, add and extra bulb inside the light housing. If there isn't room, maybe add additional lights to the rear only used when towing.
On the other hand... Tow an older car.... If the towd isn't under warranty, you will not have any warranty disputes! 
Mike Miller -- Hillsboro, OR -- on the Black list
(#2)`78 23' Birchaven Rear Bath -- (#3)`77 23' Birchaven Side Bath
More Sidekicks than GMC's and a late model Malibu called 'Boo'
http://m000035.blogspot.com
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| Re: [GMCnet] tow vehicle [message #66126 is a reply to message #66057] |
Mon, 30 November 2009 15:13 |
roy1
Messages: 2126
Registered: July 2004
Location: Minden nevada
Karma: 6
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Senior Member |
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Fred
Isn't a Scion a Toyota? If it is ,is yours a stick shift or an automatic ? I think the Toyota's need a lube pump for the automatics at least that is what I believe I will need if I tow my RAV 4 2WD. For now i'm just towing my 95 Toyota 5 speed PU.
Roy
Roy Keen
Minden,NV
76 X Glenbrook
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| Re: [GMCnet] tow vehicle [message #66162 is a reply to message #66126] |
Mon, 30 November 2009 18:45 |
fred v
Messages: 999
Registered: April 2006
Location: pensacola, fl.
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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| roy1 wrote on Mon, 30 November 2009 15:13 |
Fred
Isn't a Scion a Toyota? If it is ,is yours a stick shift or an automatic ? I think the Toyota's need a lube pump for the automatics at least that is what I believe I will need if I tow my RAV 4 2WD. For now i'm just towing my 95 Toyota 5 speed PU.
Roy
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correct, it's Toyota and ours is a manual tranny.
the Rav 4 with 4 wheel drive is a full time 4wd as i remember and cannot be towed.
Fred V
'77 Royale RB 455
P'cola, Fl
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