Are Hummers Good Trucks? 6 Things To Know (With Examples)

You might be wondering if you can use a Hummer instead of a truck. In this article, we will go over the typical use cases for pickup trucks and see how well a Hummer will do the same job.

Are Hummers Good Trucks?

Hummers can work well as a truck but they are not designed for towing heavy cargo for longer distances. When compared to pickup trucks around the same weight they do not tow as well. The Hummer is mostly best-suited for off-road environments.

That said, there are other amazing benefits to hummers! Check them out!

How Do Hummers Compare to Pickup Trucks in Performance?

The Hummer is arguably the most capable street legal 4×4 ever made. In terms of performance, it is at par with pickup trucks and beats them hands down on the trail.

But the performance of each Hummer depends on the model, its engine and weight among other considerations.

The Chevy Silverado shares the Duramax Diesel with the reliable 2006 Hummer H1 Alpha. Regardless of who you ask, everybody seems to agree the H1 Alpha is the best in its class with its powerful motor, longer range, and unbeatable interior.

Other Hummer models use similar engines as regular GM trucks.

However, the fact remains that the Hummer was not built for work. Even though it boasts impressive engine power and has a durable design, you shouldn’t be towing with a Hummer even if you can.

Unlike regular pickup trucks, the vehicle is more expensive to maintain and requires more fuel.

The only time it is advisable to use a Hummer for towing is if you live in a place with a rugged terrain where the vehicle’s off-road capabilities provide an advantage over purpose-built pickup trucks.

Otherwise, you will tow slower, burn more gas and spend more on maintenance because the strain of the cargo will leave a serious beating on your Hummer.

Towing Capacity of Hummers and Regular Pickup Trucks

Hummers might have a macho physique but they underperform in the towing department. Let’s compare Hummers to their contemporary pickup trucks.

Hummer H1 vs. Ford F-450 Super Duty Pickup Truck

The H1 Alpha Wagon is the legacy Hummer’s equivalent of a pickup truck. It weighs around 8100 pounds and can tow up to 9047 pounds of weight.

The closest regular truck to the H1 Alpha is the F-450 which weighs 8,600 pounds.

The F-450 has a maximum conventional tow capacity of 21,000 pounds and this can increase to 34,000 pounds if you are towing with a gooseneck hitch.

While most people won’t tow up to 34k pounds with their Super Duty truck, it offers far more towing capacity compared to the Hummer.

If your work requires hauling heavy cargo all over the place, you are better off buying a pickup truck which was designed from the ground up to pull tremendous amounts of weight. Using your Hummer for this kind of work is not efficient and may even reduce the vehicle’s life expectancy.

Also read our article on Can a Hummer be Flat Towed?

Hummer H2 vs. Ford F-250

The H2 and the Ford F-250 fall in the same weight category. At 6,400 pounds, the H2 is the heavier truck while the F-250 is just a little over 6,000 pounds.

The H2 SUT, which features a pickup-styled flatbed has a maximum towing capacity of 8,200 lbs. However, the F-250 can tow 12,300 to 15,000 pounds, almost double the towing capacity of the H2.

You can even go higher with a gooseneck trailer. Meanwhile, both trucks have comparable mileage on the pavement and Ford is cheaper to maintain.

Hummer H3T Alpha vs. 2016 Toyota Tacoma

The H3T comes with a truck bed and weighs 4,900 pounds while the 2016 Toyota Tacoma weighs 4,480 pounds. Unlike the more powerful H3 Alpha with a maximum tow capacity of 6,000 pounds, the H3T can only manage 4,400 pounds of towing capacity.

The 2016 Toyota Tacoma can tow up to 6,800 pounds. It can also haul up to 1,620 pounds on its flatbed with proper equipment.

Between the H3T and the Tacoma, the clear winner is the latter despite its smaller size. The Tacoma is better suited to towing in the long term.

Considering the huge price differential between Hummers and regular pickup trucks, it is far cheaper to go for conventional vehicles if you will do plenty of towing.

For example, the H3T costs almost twice the price of a new Toyota Tacoma which can tow 2,400 more pounds and requires less maintenance.

Features That Make Hummers Excellent Trucks

Hummers have some peculiar advantages over regular trucks. If you live in a challenging environment, these features can make transportation safer and hitch-free.

Central Tire Inflation System (CTIS)

This system helps the driver adjust the pressure in the tires independently or simultaneously. With this feature, you can deflate or inflate the tires based on the road condition for the optimal driving experience, especially when driving off road.

Depending on the model, you can even use the compressor to inflate other items. The CTIS also warns you if the tire pressure reaches certain levels.

Traction Control

Hummers feature a powerful traction control system that prevents the wheel from spinning out of control. If you live in a temperate region with lengthy winter seasons, the traction control can be a lifesaver if you get stuck in the white stuff.

The H1 and H2 boast formidable traction control systems which give them excellent off-roading credentials that will come handy if you live on a farm with difficult terrain.

4WD Functionality

Besides the dependable traction control, Hummers also feature 4×4 controls and have rear-wheel drives. This allows the truck to gain momentum in dicey situations as the heavier back tires provide more traction.

High Ground Clearance

Hummers have considerably higher ground clearance compared to regular trucks. This allows them to scale obstacles up to 16 inches high.

If you haul items in a wilderness environment where you have to ford small streams and climb fallen trees, the Hummer is the perfect truck for you.

These trucks might not have the towing capacity of regular pickups but they more than compensate for that with their ruggedness.

Can Hummers Be Used as Commercials Trucks?

Hummers are not the most suitable vehicles for hauling heavy loads across long distances. If you intend loading the truck bed with cargo for your daily commute, that is fine.

But they won’t do well if you treat them like regular heavy-duty trucks such as the F-250s and their ilk.

If you visit Hummer forums, you will see posts from people who use their truck to tow RVs.

Many of them report they have to go slower because of the Hummer’s poor aerodynamics and its gas-guzzling appetite.

Besides, using your Hummer for such strenuous work will take a heavy toll on the engine, transmission and the transfercase. Driving Hummers at high speeds on the highway does more damage to the vehicle than using it on the trail.

Unfortunately, people learn this the hard way after burning through expensive components that should have lasted much longer.

Do You Need a Commercial Drivers’ License to Tow with a Hummer?

No, you don’t need a CDL to tow with your Hummer. In most states of the United States, the law requires you to get a commercial drivers’ license if you are towing weight of over 26,000 pounds. This value is the added weight of the vehicle and the cargo.

No Hummer can tow such cargo as we outlined above. The gross combined towing weight of an H1 wagon is less than 20,000 pounds, regardless of the mechanism you use.

This means you can use your normal drivers’ license when towing with your Hummer since you can’t exceed the weight limit stipulated by law.

Can SUV-styled Hummers Be Used for Towing?

Every Hummer can be used as a tow vehicle. The only difference is that SUV variants have very limited space for cargo.

If you plan to use a Hummer for haulage, get the models with a truck bed. They usually have SUT in their name. However, Hummers lack the towing and load capacity of regular pickup trucks, limiting the number of items you can carry at once.

Final Words

The Hummer is a venerable vehicle with sturdy construction and excellent off-roading capabilities.

It is the perfect vehicle for steep snowy climates and muddy terrains. They have all the characteristics of heavy-duty workhorses like the Ford F-350 and others.

However, they are not the best if you plan to tow trailers or haul cargo on a truck bed. The only practical reason you should opt for a Hummer as a work pickup is if it provides an advantage in your terrain.

If your area has good roads and you don’t need a vehicle that can ford 3-feet streams, it is better to buy a good pickup truck and reserve your Hummer for weekend excursions on the trail.

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