In this video, we break down all of the key numbers you will need (GVWR, GCWR, Tongue Weight, Etc.) to figure out if you can pull an RV with your truck. More specifically, we look at the Chevy Colorado and its towing abilities.
I have a Chevy Colorado 2019 and a Passport 216RDWE trailer (4,390 pounds dry weight) we just pulled it 3,000 miles from Seattle to LA and back and worked like a champ, 11 miles per gallon!
This was just the video I was looking for. My wife and I want to get a 18ft Micro Minnie from Winnebago and I have been debating whether to get a full size or one of these mid-size trucks, and I really like the Colorado. Being that the Micro Minnie only wieghs 3500lbs, there should be no problem after watching this video to get the Colorado. Thanks for keeping it simple for us newbie's!
I tow a 29' trailer with my 2022 I went to a CAT scale with me and my wife to get exact weights with and without the trailer, propane, batteries+ trailer accessories with a GCWR of 10,900 lbs. The reason I'm sharing my story is because i also have aftermarket accessories on my truck. This truck towed like a champ these are tough trucks.
Great video. We have a 2016 Z71 4x4 with the V-6 gas-powered and just purchased a 2021 Kodiak Cub, single axle, 23’ x 8’ trailer with a 52-gallon water tank. Dry weight is 3909, payload is 1591, tongue weight is 564. It’s my wife and I and our 12-pound dog and misc camping stuff and food. So far, tows it just fine. I too seem to be within the listed capabilities of the Colorado tow capacity. Thanks again. I might run the numbers too just to be sure, but yours are higher than mine which lead me to believe we’re safe.
You answered this very well. Should be no problem pulling my new Airstream Sport.Also I have had Toyota trucks no Match is for sure ....Well done Thanks
Thanks for breaking it down very detailed I'm on it like that when hauling my toy hauler as well I have a 19 colorado ZR2 DMax and I pull an 18' toy hauler with no problem I wish the RV was a bit bigger but being a toy hauler it's a bit heavier the a regular travel trailer and the ZR2 has a max towing capacity of 5k
Great video and SUPER HELPFUL. Your process/spreadsheet helped me from going bald as I was about to start pulling my hair out trying to figure all of the out.
I just picked up a 25 foot 4000 lbs trailer and will be towing with a 2015 GMC canyon with the full towing package. This video was very helpful thank you
Great video. I have a 2017 crew cab Colorado, short bed pulling an Apex Nano 191 RBS. Hit the Cat scale last year before a trip with numbers F 2500, R 2940 and trailer 3540. Gross wt 8980. So well within range. I calculated the tongue weight using the bathroom scale and a 2x4. Mass equals force x distance and got 720 lbs which at first glance looks wrong. But 15% of about 4000 for trailer =600 and through in weight of battery, propane tank and WD hitch I guess is about right. As far as sway when passed by big trucks, I found adding about 10 gal of fresh water helps.
There seems to be a lot of ignorant naysayers about these trucks. I have a 2019 Canyon with the 2.8L diesel and I recently rented a 5x8 dump trailer from Home Depot. The rental guy had the nerve to tell me that my truck was "not near big enough" to pull this trailer and that it was "a lot of work for a little truck". This dump trailer is 2,200 lbs empty and I had to haul about 1 yard of top soil with it, so I was probably under 5,000 lbs fully loaded. I just blew it off but I have to say it did kind of irk me. I guess some people are angry that these "little trucks" are competing with their older V8s.
Thanks for making this video. Wife and I are thinking about buying a small TT. I was/am confused on the whole process of GCVW, tow rating etc. Great video the Colorado will be more than enough for the camper we are thinking about.
Thanks, awesome info...I was scared to death when I got a Canyon and I heard it wouldn’t work with a Springdale 202...numbers are even better....like you said, she is a midsize monster
Hello there Tracy’s! The wife and I also have a 2019 Colorado Crew Cab, V6, but ours is 4x4, W/T, that actually weighs in at 4,498 lbs. we also have a Grey Wolf, but ours is a 24 JS, that weighs very similar. The last time I drove over a Cat Scale on the first trip with the new trailer, first was a Wolf Pup 16FQ, the CGVW was also very similar at 10,578, with a full tank of gas, propane tanks an the two batteries I have. I have to agree these trucks can tow at these weights just fine, actually better than a 2005 Avalanche 4x4, I once had and 2011 Silverado 4x4, Ext Cab we had before the next two Colorados we had, our first was a Z71,4x4 Ext Cab, that we outgrew. But that truck towed the very same trailer the Avalanche and Silverado had as well with better mileage! But what’s very nice is the every day mileage we get commuting around in retirement and traveling with the trailer. Just cruising around town we get 17-20, depending on how traffic is moving, on the highway we average between 22-26, at the speed limits in Florida at 65-70 mph. With the trailer? 10-12 on the flats, under ten in the Smokey Mountains on a trip. Never with any shortage of power at any time. We also travel light, never carry more than 10 gallons of fresh water, use bottled water hauled in the truck in the back seat, always drain the grey and black tanks before leaving campsites. When we were in the market for a CrewCab, we test drove them all, wanting a Gladiator, but nothing compared to the Colorado in power, handling and brakes! Not to mention price.
Just bought a Colorado LT (V-6) and this answered many of my questions. Great job in your explanation. I like your use of a spread sheet to display your numbers. Nice touch. Keep up the good work.
Great video, this has made everything make so much more sense. We have a '17 Colorado Z71 v6 and are thinking of getting our first trailer. We are eyeing a 2016 Rockwood Roo 23ikss. The numbers I'm finding dont seem to add up (GVWR is LOWER than dry weight??) so I've cobbled together data by looking at different model years. Either way it's definitely a heavier trailer than yours, but assuming I'm crunching the numbers right based on your spreadsheet. I think I still come out with about 900-1000 lbs of margin. It looks like my biggest area for concern might be the truck payload itself - depending on how much cargo we put in the truck and how heavy that hitch weight actually ends up being.
There's one considerable figure that is all but unknown to most truck owners. The max tow rating is calculated with a minimal amount of frontal area of a trailer. There is a calculated square foot, and it's more akin to hauling the max trailer weight if it's bricks or firewood on a utility trailer. At most, it would be like an automobile on a car hauler. Travel trailers far exceed this aerodynamic drag, especially past about 55mph. A typical 22ish foot travel trailer will knock the max trailer tow down at least 30% nearing highway speeds. It won't change the gvwr, obviously, but it puts a lot of btu into the driveline.
Very helpful info. It’s telling me the Colorado is right on the lower limit for a small travel trailer. I plan to buy a trailer soon, probably closer to 7000 lbs. I guess I’ll be forced to buy a heavy-half or a 3/4 ton.
Hello there! First timer here and I also have a 2019 Colorado Crew Cab 4x4, V6, that’s actually my second Colorado, the first being a 2016 Ext Cab Z71,4x4, V6. That we had to trade for the Crew Cab after retirement and just needed one vehicle. I also Tow a Cherokee Travel Trailer, but mines just a Wolf Pup 16FQ that weighs substantially less at just under 4,000 lbs GVW. with all tanks full. Of course I have no problem whatsoever and get decent mileage at 10-12 in the mountains and 12-15 on the flats at a continuous speed without Tow/Haul Mode or Cruise Control, because if a feather the gas pedal I’m able to keep the trans in a higher gear at lower rpm at the speed limits. The new truck is only a W/T, but does have every option available, plus the 3 dealer installed ZR 2 Skid Plates. I have also added 265/75 16 All Terrain Tires that are just over an inch taller plus a 1.5 “ lift with longer travel aftermarket Coil-Overs in front with Air Bags in the rear, I added for off roading and towing level with added weight. I was able to do all that for under 35k on the road, the trailer was another 13k. I estimate we have in the past 4 years of ownership of the Trailer we had put just about 30,000 miles on it.
My dad pulled an 1975 Airstream '27 foot to Alaska w/ his 72' Buick (350 Cu, Turbo 400). He was adamant about using a vacuum pressure gauge to keep the engine running at a healthy pace at the right speed and gear - especially on the mountain inclines and the varying elevations. I don't know if folks still do this... Fuel economy is important, but not so important if the result is in a blown engine... He had to have the valves redone when he got back from that 10,000 mile trip...
@@WhatMeeWorrry My dad screwed a vacuum guage on the dash of the '73 Suburban that he towed with. It was my mom's car during the week and she was not too happy about the odd looking guage and hose. My Dad watched it like a hawk when towing. We would even stop to change out the carburetor jets as we gained altitude in Colorado.
Impressive. I have 20ft travel trailer which I tow with a 2010 silverado with a 4.8 which is a dog....it struggles up hills and gulps gas. I've been looking at colorados for a while now
I seen one before with a modestly sized 5th wheel. Don't know how sharp of a turn he could make without smashing his window though haha I don't want to jynx anything but GM has done a fantastic job with the resurrected midsize twins. Best towing, best quarter mile street performance, well designed, modernized interior, especially in LT and up trims. Love my 17 Z71.
This video was extremely helpful! We recently purchased a 2017 Colorado specifically to tow the trailer we want to buy, and were hearing things like" that truck is too light to to, and stop a 4500lb trailer." so of course we began kicking ourselves for buying a "lightweight truck for the job, but you have put our minds at ease. The numbers are irrefutable and make perfect sense, so we will continue our search for the perfect travel trailer. BTW, I love yourGrey Wolf trailer.
It would be nice to have an update to your comment. I am considering a Colorado. Our camper weighs 3000 lbs. I would be curious how you and your truck did.
@@wmason1961 Hi Will. We have had our truck/trailer combo for 2 seasons now, and I've been very impressed with the towing capabilities of the Colorado. Our trailer is 27' & approximately 5000 lbs. loaded, and we have travel extensively with it. I have to say we're most certainly not the fastest going up a mountain, but the truck pulls very well, and there is no labouring or transmission issues. We've done two trips of well over 2000 km's, including one over the Rockies into Alberta, and have had no issues. We own the gas version of the Colorado, and I do work with a couple of people who have the diesel version, and they are quite happy with theirs as well. This truck will have no issues pulling a 3000 lb. trailer. Our truck will be getting more use starting in May, as I'm retiring, and we'll really start to get our enjoyment out of the combo. I hope this update helps you with your decision. Happy camping!!
Just a little additional info Will. I do find that with the shorter wheelbase of the Colorado, in very windy conditions it does get moved around slightly when towing. Not to say in a dangerous manner, but you do need to be aware of it. It also has to be pretty windy in order to feel this affect. May not be as much of an issue for you, depending on the length of your trailer.
@Michael Morgan Thank you for responding. I have a comparison test drive on Friday with both a Colorado and a Ranger. I really don't know which I prefer. I will keep your comments in mind. Our current camper is a single axle 16ft. I know it will tow this one, but it is nice to hear that we could go a bit larger. I retire in late March. I will very likely spend more time in the camper so it may have to grow.
For those of you thinking of getting the ZR2 model. know that the max trailer weight is 5,000 lbs. compared to the 7000 lbs for the other models. The reason for the reduced weight capacity is hotly debated over and over again ad nauseum on the Colorado forums.
Can you tell me how much sway to expect pulling comparable trailer with my 2017 Chevy Colorado. Some people warn that the sway on a windy day or passing a semi is scary (say vs a 5th wheel). Thank you.
I know you posted quite awhile ago but did that Z package work out good for you? I have a 2018 Colorado V6. Im looking to get the 2024 Flagstaff Microlite 25FKBS.
GREAT Video! Thanks!!!! We've been told our 2009 wont haul much... is it possible you can point us to where you found the GCWR? Label on our truck only has GVWR and I was able to find some of the other specs on Edmunds. Is there hope for us????
I have the same question. The weight is one thing but the wheel base/length of trailer ratio is another. I have a 2017 Canyon and looking to buy a 25' Winnebago travel trailer. The weight is well under what I can tow but I'm concerned about the length of the trailer with cross winds.
Would like your opinion (happy to hear from others as well). I have a 2016 Dodge Durango V6 with the towing package. Towing capacity is stated at 6,200lbs, GCWR is 11,600lbs, max tongue weight 620lbs and the vehicle has additional cooling, load leveling suspension, and anti-sway. I currently have an Rpod travel trailer that is about 3,200lbs and I can tow it very well. I am considering upgrading to a Lance 1685 which is 4,500 pounds dry weight which will have an additional 300 - 500lbs with our stuff in it and is 22ft long. The Durango itself is 5,000lbs. Last thing to mention is that in the vehicle there will be about 550lbs accounting for passengers and stuff. Given the above I would be about 1,200lbs under the towing capacity and I would be about 1000lbs under GCWR. So far so good (I think). What I am worried about is that the Durango owners manual states a Frontal Area max of 40 square feet. The Lance is 8' wide and 10' tall which puts the frontal area at 80'. If I am calculating frontal area correctly that would put me way over the max. If I should subtract the frontal area of the Durango from the frontal area of the trailer then I am probably good. (BTW - my Rpod has 65 square feet of frontal area) So...I am asking not just CAN I tow the Lance trailer (I think that is a yes) but will the towing experience be positive? Positive in this case is that might engine won't be pegged at 5000 rpm and won't overheat. Thoughts welcome! Thanks.
Hi Brain, I have 17 DD v6 with towing package same as yours..(5900lbs loaded including toung weight)and I tow 2011 ION 248BH TT 26 ft.4300lbs loaded (3740 lbs dry)..toung weight 500 lbs about 80 sf frontage....no problems lots of power .60-65 MPH on the freeway 6th gear 2200-2500 rpms.. sometimes 7th in auto mod transmission..no paddle shifting...my last trip 500 km (I'm from Canada) mostly highway i got 13.2 MPG.. I get better MPG on slower roads(53 MPH)... I think its dou to the 80 sf frontage . of course i have a good WD hitch with sway control. I took my set up to the CAT scale. I hope this helps... I feel save and comfortable towing with DD
This helped me so much!!! I have the exact truck with a slightly smaller TT we are picking up this weekend. Could you share if use a WDH and sway control? If so, what type/brand. Thanks so much for this video!
I am looking at different towing vehicles. Tow a race car with Featherlite trailer weighs max at 5800 lbs. looking at 2 WD 2.8L Duramax. My weight and equipment about 400lb. My concern is towing up Appalachian mountains! When heading west from Maryland. How strong is the transmission? Should an auxiliary Trans Cooler be added? I would use Amsoil transfluid designed for towing. Can you add a 3.73 gears from the dealership? Will it maintain warranted?
If you dont want to worry about gross weight just get a truck with equal or higher gvwr than the trailer and you dont have to worry about the other numbers. Can you rent a v8 silverado and compair the fuel mileage vs a colorado? I think you will see a higher fuel mileage with the silverado especially if the trailer is heavier.
Nice video. Thanks. I also have a 2017 Colorado Crew Cab V6 short bed. On the drivers side door panel my sticker says GVWR is 6000, but has the same GCWR of 12,000. I have a 2019 Coachmen Apex 215rbk camper with a ry weight was suppose to be 4,431 Similar size to yours. I wanted to share some real world numbers. I used weight estimates based on what guides said to make sure I was in the ballpark, but I wanted to know the true weight and used a CAT scale for actual values. Truck with a full tank of gas and me in it (I'm ~175) and WDH was 4,780 (F =2,680, R=2,100) Truck with a full tank of gas and me in it, + new camper with nothing in it was 9,340 (F=2,620, R=2,580 T=4,140) Same setup fully loaded up with my wife (~150) bikes, tools, chairs, clothes, food, pots, pans & stuff ... 10,280 (F=2,740 R=2,980 T=4,560) Part of the additional weight also includes a different hitch. I upgraded to a ProPride 3P which weighs about 125 MORE then my previous hitch. Gives us about 660 pounds of gear and food. Great information. Thanks
Thanks for all of this great information. I want to take my fully loaded rig to a CAT scale at some point. I just completed a 2,800 mile trip towing the trailer over some seriously steep grades in California and Oregon. The Colorado performed great! I am posting videos of the trip and will post a complete evaluation of how the truck handled the trip at the end of all of the videos.
Remember, technically you are just supposed to add the GVWR of truck and trailer which gives you 13,270# which is over the 12k GCWR, but everyone including myself stretches this a little bit and usually is a non-issue if you keep track of the weights like you obviously are in this video. I've had my 2.8 colorado up to 15k combined weight before in a pinch.
In August, I travel to Shipshewana, Indiana (from Fort Worth, Texas) to pick up my 5,200 pounds dry and under 24 foot Mini Lite 2205S. Yes, I have a 2016 Chevy Colorado v6 with the 7,000 pound towing package. This week, after reading various online comments, I definitely get mixed messages. Most say I am foolish and should only tow with a pimped out F250 or F350. I'm quite sure I'll be okay.
@@6SPDLS162 No issues. Flat-65/70. Hills55/65. Big Hills-55! Cruise control on the flats and watch my revs on hills. When it revs, I get off the peddle and then again give it some gas. I've driven about 4,000 miles. No issues on country roads (no semis and flat). Some issues going up busy highway inclines. Yes, a bigger truck would be nice, but I can't park it in the garage in a state that has a lot of hailstorms.
Excellent video!! Would you mind sharing the setup you have on your Colorado? Are you using a wdh? We’re about to pull the trigger on a Colorado and a camper. Thanks again for your video!
Might be a dumb question, we are tent campers for.the longest time, but we are wanting to branch out. We have a huge tent and a 12.5k BTU portable ac but the summer is brutal here in fla. My Colorado is the 4 cylinder version and is rated at 3500. These Coleman's 17b looks like they are super light and will me more then our fam of 3 need but for the price looks amazing. The dry weight is 2985. But the gvwr is 3990. If I understood you correctly, this would be way too much for my vehicle correct? Or am I wrong
solid video, but one question/problem - the tongue weight should be part of GCWR in your final calculations because as you said it has to count in your payload, right? A WD hitch and sway bar can help but it was odd how you left out tongue weight at the end. ?? Agree about Colorado. solid truck.
I might be wrong, but I include the tongue weight with the overall weight of the trailer, so I don’t count it again with the truck when I am trying to figure out the overall GCWR. I count it against the payload to determine how much the truck can handle, but the actual weight is part of the trailer.
This is a very helpful analysis. We are in the process of outfitting a rig and are seriously looking at a 2018 or 2019 Colorado coupled with an RPod 179. In the process of duplicating your spread sheet for our potential configuration. I am confused as to how you determined your GCVR in the first column under the truck? I can't seem to find it anywhere in dealer specifications nor manipulate your number to get it. Thanks so much!
The GCWR is the total weight of the truck and what it is towing (including everything that you are carrying in the truck and trailer). This is the weight you must be under if you pull your truck and trailer onto a truck scale. According my chart, it looks like the GCWR should be 12,800 pounds, but I read somewhere that it is actually 12,000 pounds. If you are towing an R-pod, you should easily be under the maximum numbers. The R-Pod is a very light trailer.
@@travelingwiththetracys9489 Thank you for your reply! I just found a Trailering Guide on the Chevy website. It provides all of the numbers for all of the different towing vehicles and configurations. The GCWR is listed as 12,000 pounds for the 3.6L V6 with trailering package configuration. The diesel takes it to 12,700. Your video really helped me make sense of all of these acronyms and numbers. Thank you again for taking the time to produce it.
Hi Great video. I imagine you're using a weight distribution and anti sway hitch, what are you using and are you happy with it? What's your thoughts on the diesel Colorado for towing the same size trailer?
I've watched a lot of towing videos and a lot say the tongue weight should be 10% the trailer weight. I noticed yours wasn't? Is there a reason for that?
Good Evening Tracy, liked your vision, had a hard time to follow along if you please help me on this what I have befor I buy this travel trailer first I have a 2019 Chevy Colorado it's a crew cab tow package 3.6 L V--6 motor short bed LT kinda like yours I think now the trailer were looking at Is a forest River coach the dry weight is 4500 lbs young weight is 566 now in the truck will be me 190 lbs wife 120 lbs mother - in- law 115 3 Dogs that is about 35-40 lbs will I be ok going down the interstate on the young is 2 group #24 batt with 2 propane bottles ( forgotten to say that , thank you Gary
The factory installed hitch on the Colorado is not rated to be used with a weight distributing hitch. Suggest you replace it with Draw Tite #76004. This is a Class IV hitch bolt on replacement for Colorado/Canyon and is rated for WD hitch.
I owned a 2016 Colorado, v6, the same as yours. I pulled a trailer that when loaded was about 5300 pounds. The Colorado did really well towing it. But, I will say, when I towed it up into the mountains on steep grades, that transmission got hot really quickly and I didn't like it. Once it got up to 250 degrees, and I was sweating bullets. So, I ended up selling it and getting a Silverado with the 5.3 V8 tow package rated at 9400 pounds to tow. I don't even notice the trailer now, and the truck pulls it right up the same hills a lot easier, and with a lot less worry about my transmission.
I installed a brake control too. Purchased at O’Reillys and super easy install on the 2016 Z71 Colorado. Three wires under the drivers side kick panel. Piece of cake and works great. 45-minute install job.
Hi, I'm all too new to trailer towing, I have a 1999 dodge dakota sport magnum with a 5 speed manual transmission. It is a 5.2L. My question is can I pull a 22ft travel trailer safely and I am concerned about shifting. Your thoughts would be appreciated.
Denise Hagy - I am not sure. You will need to find the towing specs on that particular truck and see how much you can safely tow. There should be information online, or you could call Dodge directly to see about getting that information. You will need to check for 1999, since the towing capacity will change on the trucks from year to year. You also need to know if you have the V6 or V8 of that model. I believe the 5.2 L is a V8.
Quick question. When pulling your camper did you continuously use your tow haul button on the Colorado or when is the best times to use that? Thank you.
Since adding a weight distributing hitch, I have not been using the tow/haul feature and the fuel economy has improved and the ride is much nicer/quieter. If pulling in the mountains, I would definitely use it.
I own a '21 Chevy Colorado Crew cab with the tow package. All the advertising says it can haul 7,000, but my door sticker says 6,000. I'm assuming at least for safety sake, I have to stick with 6K max load.
I have same problem. My door says 5800 for my 2020 v6 crew, with tow package z82... I should get 7,000lb. But my dealer says NO. Because I don't have the Trans cooler or tow radiator??? No one can help my ??
I have a 2020 Chevy Colorado, V6, 2WD. The sticker on the inside of the door only lists GVWR (5800) & GAWR FRT (3200) & GAWR RR (3500). It does not list the GCWR. Where do you find that? There are so many different models of the Colorado. Kind of confusing. I was looking at the Airstream Caravel which is about 3200 pounds (Unit Base Weight (with LP & Batteries)). I am definitely a noob here so feel free to savagely ridicule me in the comments if need be, any help is appreciated, thanks!
Check the payload. A 5th wheel is more about payload than towing capacity, because the weight is carried in the bed of the truck. That sounds like way too much payload for a Colorado.
Hey I really need some help. I have a 2015 same type of thing with a tow package and Z71 4X4 I am looking to buy a new boat. The boat and trailer says 5600lbs then a 50G gas tank so call it 300 lbs of gas. Then a cooler and a few extra things call that 2-300lbs. what do you think.
towed a MicroLite 21DS for the 1st time this past weekend with the '18 Colorado (V6). RPM w tow/haul mode engaged was running between 3500 and 4000 most of the time (up and down highway rolling hills). That bothered me. It did a fine job in the steep dirt road (4X4 engaged) when in 2nd gear; it almost stalled out in 3rd gear. Any comments from anyone on the high RPM at 65mph?
The 3.6 doesn't have the low end torque like the 4.3, so the torque comes on more in the higher rpm range. The truck shifts at 6,800 with you foot to the floor it's a high rev engine. I don't like how it shifts to 6th gear at 40 mph, I have looking into 4.10 gears to change out the 3.42 this would help your towing slot, nitro gearing I believe is the company
On another note, can you or anyone else speak on your solution to the slight lack of visibility with the stock side mirrors on the Colorado while towing? I’ve installed a rear camera to our trailer which was pre-wired, which works great, but from past experiences found that the mirror extensions are cheaply made, not custom fit for the Colorado, and they look like crap and shake while driving causing a lack of clear visibility to change lanes. Just curious.
I use clip on mirrors on our 2019 Canyon and they work fine. I purchased these on Amazon - Fit Systems 3891 Deluxe Universal Clip on Towing Mirror”. They are way better than a pair I had years before .
Is there a way to send you a picture? I have a picture of my 2018 Colorado pulling our trailer and being passed by another Colorado with a trailer. So the answer is yes you can pull a trailer with a Colorado safely
You forgot the most important number, the cargo capacity of your truck. Many people go over that before going over any of the other numbers. It's also unusual to have tongue weight of less than 10% of the weight of the trailer. Usually it's around 15% of the trailer weight.
He adds 162 pounds of battery, propane and hitch to the front of the trailer. This is added to the tongue weight as it sits so close to the hitch. This gives an actual tongue weight of ~13% of the trailer weight.
