Brake Controller and Hitch Extender Recommendations for 2007 Hummer H2 Towing Pop-Up Camper

Question:

I have purchased products from Etrailer in the past and service has been excellent. I have a 2007 H2 with spare tire mount in the back. I am purchasing a Flagstaff pop up A frame camper T12RBTH. I am wondering if I will need a hitch extension and if so, what length? Also, would I need a brake controller? The pop up has electric brakes and I know the H2 has a little trailer symbol on the dash but not sure what it does. I would like to purchase everything I need before I go to pick up RV. Any suggestions or recommendations would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

asked by: Patty G

Helpful Expert Reply:

Thank you for your prior purchases from etrailer!

Towing a trailer with electric brakes will require that you install a trailer brake controller in your 2007 Hummer H2. The unit I recommend is the Prodigy P2 # 90885. This reliable and highly-rated controller is easy to set up and operate, it works with both electric brakes and electric-over-hydraulic brakes and it includes advanced features like built-in diagnostics and a bright LED display.

In your H2 you'll use wiring adapter # 3015-P to connect the controller to the included under-dash port. A video is linked to show this process.

If your H2 does NOT have a factory-installed 7-way trailer socket at the rear then you'll also need to install Multi-Tow 7-Way and 4-Way Trailer Connector part # 30955.

If your rear-mounted spare tire requires you to use a hitch extender for better clearance between the H2 and your new pop-up camper you can use the linked page to view all such extenders. Do keep I mind that ALL extenders have the unavoidable side-effect of reducing your hitch's rated capacity by 50-percent. This is a result of the change in the geometry of the towing set-up when an extender in included in the system. Extenders will put more stress on the hitch tube and its attachment points on the H2 and this is what causes the reduction in capacity.

Check the safety/warning sticker on your hitch to confirm that the tongue weight and gross weight of your trailer will remain within its halved capacity when used with the extender. You'll want to use the shortest extender that will give you the clearance you need. For example, Brophy # HE12 provides 14-inches of extension between its hitch pin holes. Locks such as # e98880 will let you lock the extender in your hitch and your ball mount in the extender.

You will also need a ball mount with the right amount of rise or drop to keep your trailer level when it is hitched, as well as a hitch ball of the correct size to match the coupler on your trailer. The linked article will help you select the correct ball mount. For a 2-inch hitch ball use part # 63845.