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Old 10-11-2015, 08:17 AM   #1
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2016 GMC Canyon Duramax towing questions

I'm looking to buy an airstream intn'l signature next year and am deciding between the 23d and the 25. The difference between the GWVR of each is substantial (6000 for 23d and 7300 for 25) and the 25-footer is 5.5" wider. Because of the 25's width and weight, I have a some concern over towing with the diminutive GMC Canyon. It's rated for 7600 but since it is a smaller truck than 1/2 tons that most folks use for towing, I have some concern about how close gwvr to it's max capacity and the extra width of the 25.

I do plan on using it as a commuter too so the mpg is a big factor (should get close to 30 mpg on highway with the Canyon duramax when not towing).

I'd be curious to hear towing veterans weigh in on this as I am a total noobie with towing and trailers. I know its a new vehicle and also am wondering if anyone else is considering this little turbo-diesel.

Thanks in advance for input!
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Old 10-12-2015, 09:32 AM   #2
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Found this article:
Driving the 2016 GMC Canyon 2.8L Duramax diesel [First Drive] - Truck News, Views and Real World Reviews

Apparently the payload will only be 1420lbs. I'm not sure I'd want to tow a 8 1/2' wide Airstream 25 with this size vehicle, its wheelbase is only 128". Most newer 25s have tongue weights approaching 1000lbs. It has a 21 gallon tank and if it can get 18mpg towing a travel trailer then you have about 300 mile range with 3 gallon reserve. You'll probably have to get external towing mirrors.

A 23fb would be a good match for this vehicle as this model is not as wide as the 25s and the tongue weight is less than the 23D.

I can understand not wanting a larger vehicle due to your needs to commute with this truck. My Ram 2500 is a driveway queen.

Having said all this there are plenty of Airstream owners towing 25s and larger with Touaregs, mini vans etc.

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Old 10-12-2015, 10:30 AM   #3
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Our 2012 Ram has 120" wheelbase and 1430 lbs load capacity to tow our Flying Cloud. What makes it a rock solid stable tow vehicle is the ProPride/Hensley style hitch that also is fully capable of the weight distribution we need. Although our Airstream's GVWR is 7300 lbs we don't normally load it that heavy. We did on one trip cross-country with no problems.

It's early to know how the Colorado diesel will work out, but it has some good numbers for towing midsize Airstreams. Combined with the excellent towing characteristics of Airstream, the stability provided by Hensley style hitches, and the management of loading it could become a decent tow vehicle.
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Old 10-12-2015, 04:54 PM   #4
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Old 10-12-2015, 06:23 PM   #5
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Wouldn't you need to also consider the load-bearing rating of the Canyon's hitch? Most hitches on half ton trucks max out at 1,000 lbs., and the canyon's hitch rating may be less than this. The 25' and up trailer tongue weights could exceed that with the usual load in the truck bed behind the rear axle.
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Old 10-12-2015, 07:30 PM   #6
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If the factory hitch is too light reinforce or replace it with one rated for the trailer you want to tow. Curt and Reese are quick to market upgrades for all pickups because it's common practice.

Interesting, just noticed this little diesel will have an exhaust brake as standard equipment.

Nice little truck on paper, similar weight and towing capacities to many half-tons without the bulk, which is probably why it has similar weight and towing capacities.
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Old 10-12-2015, 09:32 PM   #7
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If I were King, I'd make Airstream dealers actually run every trailer across a public scale and post a copy of the weight noting that water, etc. are not included. I'd also have them use a Shurline hitch weight scale so that buyers are looking at real numbers. Wouldn't hurt to have truck dealers actually weigh their rigs too.
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Old 10-12-2015, 10:16 PM   #8
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Stay with the 23' . With tow mirrors you'll be able to see down the side.

Besides you want to have a reserve in your tow rating.
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Old 10-12-2015, 10:47 PM   #9
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Besides you want to have a reserve in your tow rating.
This is an excellent advice. Having reserve capacity makes the towing experience a relaxed one for the driver. It also reduces the wear and tear on the TV.
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Old 10-13-2015, 05:11 AM   #10
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Great points all! Thank you.

I think my biggest concern beyond tongue weight is that tow mirrors do not appear to be a factory option. Looking forward to seeing someone else test the 25' waters with a canyon/colorado before I do....lol.
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Old 10-13-2015, 07:52 AM   #11
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Reserve capacity, here's my thought. It's built into the factory spec's. As for reserve capacity reducing wear and tear, many of us use light duty trucks to tow our Airstreams about 10% of the time; that leaves 90% reserve capacity with no reduced wear and tear.

We can play these numbers games all day, but I've got to get our Airstream/light duty truck packed for another cross-country trip tomorrow.
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Old 10-13-2015, 08:56 AM   #12
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Everything else being equal, having reserve capacity reduces the wear and tear on the TV. That's just a fact/truth.
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Old 10-13-2015, 11:12 AM   #13
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I think it's only a fact.
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Old 10-13-2015, 12:28 PM   #14
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I should have known better that the Towing/hitch threads are the place where common sense reasoning and rational thinking gets challenged all the time.
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Old 10-13-2015, 01:05 PM   #15
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The Canyon gasser might be a better option for occasional towing, unless all you want is top MPG while driving and towing. Which is a fair trade for some people. Its been made real clear by a common towing test site that the smaller diesels entering the market are slow old dogs when towing.

But first, you may like these test drive videos.

2015 GMC Canyon All Terrain - Extreme Towing Test [Ike Gauntlet Midsize] - Truck News, Views and Real World Reviews

They haven't done their real towing test yet, but made these videos so far;






And here's the major point made on hard towing with a small diesels...without a doubt there will be many more results like this one as more as released for sale. A fair trade for high MPG? You decide.

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Old 10-13-2015, 01:06 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Chabu View Post
Great points all! Thank you.

I think my biggest concern beyond tongue weight is that tow mirrors do not appear to be a factory option. Looking forward to seeing someone else test the 25' waters with a canyon/colorado before I do....lol.
Chabu, I just installed a set of Milenco Grand Aero towing mirrors on our pickup based on good reports from other users. They are solid and provide excellent view, and don't look too shabby. Otherwise, most probably the after market companies will soon have factory replacements that look factory.
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Old 10-13-2015, 06:27 PM   #17
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I missed the best video of all regarding the Canyon gasser. It moves a 5600lb trailer (and nearly maxed GCVW) up a steep interstate mountain grade extremely well, and fast. But the driver has to keep their right foot in it to allow RPM's to approach redline where max HP is delivered.

2015 GMC Canyon All Terrain - Extreme Towing Test [Ike Gauntlet Midsize] - Truck News, Views and Real World Reviews
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Old 10-20-2015, 05:59 PM   #18
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Just came back from a 6,451 mile road trip last nite, and am catching up on the daily forums. Here is my six cent worth of advice, based on towing my 20ft FC with either a full-sized 2005 Yukon or a 2012 Tahoe (both 5.3L engines). My advice differs in that I personally think its not wise to see how low one can go with the TV's various capacities. I think we are not doing people like Mr. Chabu a favor second-guessing each other how a moderate sized Canyon (albeit beautiful) will perform in traffic at highway speeds in rainy weather etc pulling even a 23ft. AS. Maybe I'm just getting old and more cautious....
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Old 10-21-2015, 01:17 AM   #19
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Cautious, IMHO is one way to help assure getting old...


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Old 10-21-2015, 05:03 PM   #20
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Thanks again all for weighing in.

For a bit of perspective, I'm a bit of flat-lander as I live in Delaware - officially the flattest state in the country . I'll pretty much be a casual and fair-weather weekender with trips to beachy state parks like Assateague, etc. I do appreciate and respect towing capacity limits but I also ride a sports bike so I'm ok with being on the edge....lol.
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