2016 Chevy Colorado as Tow Vehicle

Coloradon · 07-21-2016, 04:09 PM

I have a 2016 Chevy Colorado 3.2L V6 with the special trailer towing package. The truck also is a Crew Cab 4x4 with the long bed. THe tow rating capacity is approximately 7000 lb. I am considering purchasing the 2017 Rockwood Mini-lite 2109s. I live in Colorado so some of our trips will be rather mountainous. Can my Chevy Colorado comfortably tow this trailer or is the it not powerful enough or trailer too heavy? The unloaded weight of the trailer is 4037 lbs. Thanks for any input.

Big Red and 30WR · 07-21-2016, 04:23 PM

Personally I wouldn`t buy a truck under a 3/4 ton. Been there and done that . Had a frontier What a POS towing just 2500 pounds. Then If you decide to upgrade you won`t have enough truck. You being in the mountains will put a hurting on that little truck. Probably even over heat issues. Brake issues as well. IMO

Outdoorsman5953 · 07-21-2016, 04:38 PM

I had a Dodge Dakota 3.6 L V-6 with tow package when I bought my Micro Lite 23 LB (empty weight 3274 lbs.) I have a good WDH and while the truck would pull the trailer, I was very concerned about wear and tear on the truck. And fuel mileage was horrible! After 3 trips, I sold the Dakota and upgraded to a Ram 1500 Ecodiesel. Tows much better, the truck barely has to work and fuel mileage is twice what I got in the gas Dakota. BTW this was on flat Illinois ground. Just my experience. Your truck may do better.

**bikendan** · 07-21-2016, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coloradon

Can my Chevy Colorado comfortably tow this trailer or is the it not powerful enough or trailer too heavy? The unloaded weight of the trailer is 4037 lbs. Thanks for any input.

What is the payload capacity on the driver's door yellow sticker?

Coloradon · 07-21-2016, 05:08 PM

I forgot to add that the curb weight of the truck is 4310 and the payload capacity is 1560 lbs.

f5moab · 07-21-2016, 05:22 PM

You mean the 3.6L?
Payload with a 2x2 is about 1540 lbs, with a 4x4 it is about 1520 lbs; however, look at the sticker as suggested by bikendan for the exact figure for your vehicle.

It would not be my choice for pulling 4K+ through the mountains; however, it will do it, but I'm guessing the trans might do a lot of downshifting when climbing some of the high, steep grades. So, will it be comfortable??? That is subjective.

But you need to figure out what the tongue weight is (and will be when loaded), check the max tongue weight of the Colorado (should be a sticker on the hitch), and figure in all passengers (human and animal), food, and other stuff that might be in the bed (including bedliners, and covers, if applicable.

ChooChooMan74 · 07-21-2016, 05:30 PM

I think you will be fine. Would rather have the 2.8l myself, but that is personal preference.

Jakieboy · 07-22-2016, 07:15 PM

My experience after 40+ years of towing RV's is, if the trailer weight is more than half the tow rating of the tow vehicle, you will be disappointed in the capability and fuel mileage on long trips, especially in the mountains. This was before we graduated to a Chevy Silverado DURAMAX Diesel a few years back. We towed a 7400 pound TT behind a Ford Chateau Club Wagon with 460 cu. in. V-8 gas engine, and we were lucky to get 6.5 mpg. Then we got our Silverado Diesel and, pulling the same trailer, we got 13+ mpg!!

Now we tow a 13,500 pound 5th wheel with the same truck, and still get 13+ mpg. We will never go back to a gasoline powered TV.

BaldEagle81 · 07-22-2016, 08:32 PM

You'll be ok. If the Colorado is rated for 7000 lbs and the camper is 4000 lbs dry, that's plenty of room for your gear and a safety margin. My guess is you'll be at 5000 lbs loaded. It is smart no matter what you are towing with to pack lite. As someone said, check the rated tongue weight of the Chevy and the payload. Consider the trailer tongue weight, weight of hitch, weight
of gear in truck and your passengers as your payload when towing. If you are towing with 5 adults, then seriously look at these numbers.

You must get a WDH and some sort of sway control and a brake controller and some towing mirrors. The hitch and brake controller have to be adjusted properly. It is a process with some trial and error. The hitch seriously affects how it feels driving down the road. Once you are fully loaded take the trailer to a scale to have everything weighed, steer, drive and trailer axles and of course the gross weight of truck and trailer. Every vehicle has a rating for these weights. This should give you peace of mind or it might tell you a different truck is in order, but with some research before purchasing it should be the former. I have found the listed trailer and tongue weights to be accurate, even with the battery and propane.

People on here are going to say you are crazy and it will be unsafe, etc. The truck will be working and yes a 3/4 ton truck will be better, but it should be capable to perform safely. You will have to take it easy and drive safe, but you'll get there. It amazes me how quick people are to tell others to get a new tow vehicle. For some it makes sense, like if you are frequently traveling and logging a lot of miles. For many, a new tow vehicle is a big expense for something that is only needed for towing a camper a few thousand miles a year if that. By all means, stay within a vehicle's payload and towing capacities, but V6 SUVs and pickups will get the job done. Good luck!

markb422 · 07-22-2016, 08:53 PM

Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, yes. Colorado, NO.
If you do it, get the largest trans cooler you can find and install it.
Been towing a 4000 lb tt around Michigan for a long time with a 4.3l and it is just okay. We are retired and wanting to go south and west and bought a 30' class c on a ford e350 super duty.

f5moab · 07-22-2016, 09:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BaldEagle81

You'll be ok. If the Colorado is rated for 7000 lbs and the camper is 4000 lbs dry, that's plenty of room for your gear and a safety margin. My guess is you'll be at 5000 lbs loaded. It is smart no matter what you are towing with to pack lite. As someone said, check the rated tongue weight of the Chevy and the payload. Consider the trailer tongue weight, weight of hitch, weight
of gear in truck and your passengers as your payload when towing. If you are towing with 5 adults, then seriously look at these numbers.

You must get a WDH and some sort of sway control and a brake controller and some towing mirrors. The hitch and brake controller have to be adjusted properly. It is a process with some trial and error. The hitch seriously affects how it feels driving down the road. Once you are fully loaded take the trailer to a scale to have everything weighed, steer, drive and trailer axles and of course the gross weight of truck and trailer. Every vehicle has a rating for these weights. This should give you peace of mind or it might tell you a different truck is in order, but with some research before purchasing it should be the former. I have found the listed trailer and tongue weights to be accurate, even with the battery and propane.

People on here are going to say you are crazy and it will be unsafe, etc. The truck will be working and yes a 3/4 ton truck will be better, but it should be capable to perform safely. You will have to take it easy and drive safe, but you'll get there. It amazes me how quick people are to tell others to get a new tow vehicle. For some it makes sense, like if you are frequently traveling and logging a lot of miles. For many, a new tow vehicle is a big expense for something that is only needed for towing a camper a few thousand miles a year if that. By all means, stay within a vehicle's payload and towing capacities, but V6 SUVs and pickups will get the job done. Good luck!

They sure do!

Vernon Gay · 07-22-2016, 09:19 PM

I have been towing a 5,300 pound TT with this vehicle for a few months. It is equipped with factory tow pkg, electric brakes and proper weight distribution hitch (rated @7,700 towing capacity). Does pretty well in the mountains and great on level roads. Getting 17.2 mpg while towing. More power would be great in mountains but, I am pleased with the performance over all.

The_Rhino · 07-22-2016, 09:48 PM

The 3.6 V6 has 305hp & only 269 ft-lb of torque so its a poor choice for towing in the Colorado Mts... However, you don't have to buy a diesel to have a good towing experience with TTs under 8,000 lbs...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jakie-Boy

My experience after 40+ years of towing RV's is, if the trailer weight is more than half the tow rating of the tow vehicle, you will be disappointed in the capability and fuel mileage on long trips, especially in the mountains...

I disagree. It depends on the truck & how the manufacturer rated the truck's capacity - which can depend more on marketing vs. true capability... My Ram 2500's tow rating is a conservative 9,100. IMO it is more capable than the specs because Ram did not want to cut into their higher priced diesel sales... The very next year they upped the tow rating specs to 11,100 without major changes...

IMO you can find better deals on some 3/4 tons than popular 1/2 ton grocery-getters... In 2011 I bought a 2 year-old 2011 Ram 2500 CC w/5.7 Hemi for only $14K. As an entry-level 3/4 ton it has the same tow capacity as some high-end 1/2 tons (only 9,100), but has a great payload capacity of 3,000. It can safely handle our 8,000 lb. TT with tongue weight of 1100, family of 5 (700+), fiberglass cap, firewood, kayaks, etc. The 5.7 Hemi V8 has 383 hp & 400 ft-lb of torque. I get 16-17 mpg on my daily commute & 8-9 towing.

I have no trouble towing throughout the Smoky Mountains very near my GCVW of 15,000. Out West, diesels are better, no doubt but not everyone can afford to buy a diesel TV & new TT all within the same year...

rockfordroo · 07-22-2016, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vernon Gay

I have been towing a 5,300 pound TT with this vehicle for a few months. It is equipped with factory tow pkg, electric brakes and proper weight distribution hitch (rated @7,700 towing capacity). Does pretty well in the mountains and great on level roads. Getting 17.2 mpg while towing. More power would be great in mountains but, I am pleased with the performance over all.

It sounds like you've got the diesel. Poster has gasser.

Vernon Gay · 07-23-2016, 04:43 AM

No,
It is a gas engine. Pulling a 26' Salem Hyber lite TT.

KingFisher · 07-23-2016, 10:14 AM

I had a 2015 colorado crew cab 4x4 with 3.6 and long bed. Pulled my Jayco 23rb (4400 pounds)and then my sunset trail 250rb (5400 pounds).

It pulled them but I wasn't happy and traded it for a silverado 1500 to upgrade my towing capacity to 9200 pounds.

Now I wish I'd have traded for a 2500hd or 3500 hd. Can never have too much truck.

The colorado will do it but it won't be enjoyable.