Chevy Colorado Max Trailer size?

[SCOTTinNJ]

I tow a 30' that's 6,500 lbs dry with a F150 rated to tow 7,700 lbs, so I know about bucking up against the limit. But that's only because it's the truck I had when I bought the trailer. I travel light and it works fine for now. I will be upgrading before I do more serious adventures.

You are starting from scratch. Why put yourself against the limits of your tow vehicle?

[schafman46]

Hi , (Schafman ) here--I have a 2015 GMC Canyon , which is sister truck , supposedly from similar production line. --I pull a 2012 Flying Cloud , 24' FB WITHOUT A PROBLEM & get 15mpg on 2 trips --one around US 14,000 miles & one 5,000miles to Canadian Maritimes.--I can pull up to 7,000 lbs. my AS is 4800 dry plus 1,000 for clothing, water & propane & am still under the 7,000. --Goid Luck with ur decision. @ welcome to the forum!!😍

[john engel]

I have a 2017 Colorado v6 3.5 liter and have no trouble pulling our AS International Signature 23D 4700 lbs dry in Wisconsin. We picked up the trailer last Sep in East St Louis and on the trip north the temp was 92 we had a very slight tail wind and I averaged between 60-65 the transmission temp was between 130 and 145. Since then I have towed the trailer in WI without any worries. We want to go out west next spring and I am concerned about crossing the Rockies on HWY 70 am I being paranoid or should I sell the trailer and get an AS 19?

[rmkrum]

Originally Posted by john engel

I have a 2017 Colorado v6 3.5 liter and have no trouble pulling our AS International Signature 23D 4700 lbs dry in Wisconsin. We picked up the trailer last Sep in East St Louis and on the trip north the temp was 92 we had a very slight tail wind and I averaged between 60-65 the transmission temp was between 130 and 145. Since then I have towed the trailer in WI without any worries. We want to go out west next spring and I am concerned about crossing the Rockies on HWY 70 am I being paranoid or should I sell the trailer and get an AS 19?

I pull a similar trailer ('07 International 22FB CCD 75th Anniversary) all over the Western mountains with a 2012 Toyota Tacoma 4wd short-bed Crew-cab rig. I just have a lot of patience climbing long grades...but it works 'just fine'.

[uraljohn]

Originally Posted by Grimmster

Thank you for your reply.

Max GVWR is 7000 lbs. However I don't know how to find the weight of the older airstreams?

Max tow for gas version is 7000, the diesel is 7700. My best buddy just purchased a 2018 Colorado extended cab 4x4 gas version to tow his new 2108DS Winnebago (4500 LBS ready to camp. This trailer is 7ft. wide). It does OK. Just for fun we hooked it up to my 2017 Int. Serenity 23D (5600 LBS ready to camp, this trailer is 8ft. wide.) Not even close! It was very obvious that even the smallest hill had it breathing hard. He did add the "Clearwater Towing Mirrors" which are absolutely needed to tow anything because truck is narrow. GM does not offer a tow mirror. If you want a 23 or larger Airstream you would be wise to get at least a 1/2 tonner or bigger. The oil burner may do a better job but they are really kind of sluggish when just driving around not towing. Nice truck but not for 23+.

[uraljohn]

Originally Posted by Ronman

The rear end gear ratio in that or any truck will play a roll in what you buy. Don't just assume the max posted on the internet is the same for all trucks. Also look at hitch weight and payload. I think the truck is too small unless you're going 23' or less.

The only axle available on the 2018 Colorado And Canyon is a 3.42 ratio. Gas or oil burner, no difference. Not the greatest towing axle but it beats a 3.23. It would be nice if GM offered a 3.73 or even a 4.11. With the 8 speed tranny in the gasser and the 6 speed in the oil burner they could probably get away with it. I agree, the truck is to small to COMFORTABLY tow a 23+ in all terrain conditions. Payload on these trucks are under 1600 LBS. The pin weight of a 23D is right around 800 LBS (I have one) Consider couple people, full fuel tank, and bunch of gear and your right at the limit.

[overlander63]

We have a 2017 Colorado, 3.6 2wd, and tow our 5000+ pound 21' all over the place with it. I've never had a problem with it struggling to tow the trailer, I can keep up with traffic, and generally can drive the speed limit up almost any hill we've been on. Gas mileage towing averages 15, not towing is around 26.
If you're mechanically inclined, buy the receiver from your favorite online etailer, and put it on yourself. Chevy wants around $700+ for it, the same hitch is $120 including free shipping. And I've not had any trouble seeing behind the trailer when towing, though I've been towing long enough to know how to check the baffles occasionally.

[ZOZ]

Originally Posted by AWCHIEF

I looked at the Colorado and its GMC version and decided it was not adequate for safely and comfortably pulling my 23 or if I move up in size. I did not think it had enough capacity or power for the hills with any engine available. Shame, I do like the size compared to the full size 150 that I had prior to getting the JGC.

Agreed. I traded my 2018 GMC Canyon Denali 3.6L V6 for the 2018 GMC Sierra Denali 6.2L V8 to tow my 2018 FC 23FB. The Canyon was too close to the top end of the towing scale with my AS.

When I picked up my AS, the dealer was expecting the Canyon and when I showed with the Sierra, he said "I'm glad you went with the half ton on this AS."


zoz

[john engel]

Originally Posted by uraljohn

Max tow for gas version is 7000, the diesel is 7700. My best buddy just purchased a 2018 Colorado extended cab 4x4 gas version to tow his new 2108DS Winnebago (4500 LBS ready to camp. This trailer is 7ft. wide). It does OK. Just for fun we hooked it up to my 2017 Int. Serenity 23D (5600 LBS ready to camp, this trailer is 8ft. wide.) Not even close! It was very obvious that even the smallest hill had it breathing hard. He did add the "Clearwater Towing Mirrors" which are absolutely needed to tow anything because truck is narrow. GM does not offer a tow mirror. If you want a 23 or larger Airstream you would be wise to get at least a 1/2 tonner or bigger. The oil burner may do a better job but they are really kind of sluggish when just driving around not towing. Nice truck but not for 23+.

Thanks for the feed back I just did the math again and the weight of the Int. 23 D and my Colorado ready to roll with empty water tanks is 86% of the total GVW of the Colorado 12,000 lbs. that is fine for the Midwest but Colorado is a no go. the weight of a Flying Cloud 19 and the Colorado ready to roll with empty water tanks is about 76% ab out 25% reserve capacity I would think that is a safer setup to cross the rockies.