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09-27-2016, 09:25 AM
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#1
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New Member
New Smyrna Beach
, Florida
Join Date: Sep 2016
Posts: 4
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Chevy Colorado Max Trailer size?
Hello folks,
My wife and I are new to the world of RV's and Airstreams. We are purchasing a Chevy Colorado for our move from Florida to New Mexico. We are researching used airstreams to buy that can be towed by a Chevy Colorado V6.
Some basic background information:
We are looking for something in the 1990 - 2000 year range.
We would like to buy 23 - 25 foot airstream.
We have been looking at the Excella model because of the greater window at the front.
Budget - Would like to stay at 15,000 or under.
I would appreciated any and all advice.
Thanks,
Charles
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09-27-2016, 09:38 AM
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#2
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Rivet Master
2006 23' Safari SE
Biloxi
, Mississippi
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 8,278
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Basic research, What does Chevy say is the max tow and tongue weight? That is the numbers to start with.
__________________
MICHAEL
Do you know what a learning experience is? A learning experience is one of those things that says "You know that thing that you just did? Don't do that."
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09-27-2016, 09:43 AM
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#3
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New Member
New Smyrna Beach
, Florida
Join Date: Sep 2016
Posts: 4
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Thank you for your reply.
Max GVWR is 7000 lbs. However I don't know how to find the weight of the older airstreams?
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09-27-2016, 10:03 AM
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#4
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Full time Airstreamer
2014 30' FB FC Bunk
Anywhere
, USA Living.Somewhere.Yonder
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,359
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Quote:
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?
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https://www.airstream.com/service/document-archive/
Why not buy a full size pickup? I think you'll find that realistically a 23-25' trailer is a bit oversized for the truck you are looking at. A trailer like the one below is 6000 lbs dry.
https://www.airstream.com/wp-content...ff6a5e6b5e.pdf
__________________
@living.somewhere.yonder | Instagram
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09-27-2016, 10:18 AM
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#5
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Rivet Master
2007 30' Classic
Oswego
, Illinois
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 13,669
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Quote:
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?
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I believe the max 7k is for the diesel. IIRC V6 is 6k.
__________________
-Rich-
"If the women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy." - Red Green
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09-27-2016, 10:57 AM
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#6
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Moderator
2017 26' Flying Cloud
Alamo Heights
, Texas
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 8,523
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dznf0g
I believe the max 7k is for the diesel. IIRC V6 is 6k.
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Gasoline V6 is 7000 lb, little Duramax is 7600 lb.
http://www.chevrolet.com/colorado-sm...ecs/trims.html
__________________
— David
Zero Gravitas — 2017 Flying Cloud 26U | WBCCI# 15566
He has all of the virtues I dislike and none of the vices I admire. — Sir Winston Churchill
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09-27-2016, 12:14 PM
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#7
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Rivet Master
1988 25' Excella
1987 32' Excella
Knoxville
, Tennessee
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 5,118
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Here is one link for Airstream weights and tongue weights by year and model. A search will find more links. I think there is a chart on the Airstream site.
For a real world comparison to judge the charts by: Our 1988, 25', is listed as 5100 lbs wt, 700 lbs tongue weight in this chart. When traveling, it weighs in at 6300 actual wt and adds 800 lbs to the truck. It carries 5500 on the trailer axles. Since I have the WD hitch cranked up pretty tight some of the tongue weight is being carried by the trailer axles, so I am guessing at least 900 lbs tongue wt. It has a full compliment of awnings which I do not think are included in the chart weight. We run 1/2 full of fresh water and a few flushes in the black and gray tanks.
http://airstreamguy.com/lengthswidthsweights_vin_range
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09-27-2016, 12:45 PM
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#8
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4 Rivet Member
Vintage Kin Owner
St. Louis
, Missouri
Join Date: Jul 2016
Posts: 415
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The 16' trailers should be fine with a Colorado.
In the 80s they made some light weight trailers that were a little longer. You might get a 20' trailer that you could tow with a V6 Colorado
__________________
The Morgans
1989 Avion 34VB
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09-27-2016, 01:00 PM
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#9
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3 Rivet Member
2017 25' International
Joliet
, Illinois
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 154
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I just pulled a 23D with a new Canyon. No trouble at all. The mountains might be a different story but here in the Midwest it would make a great combination.
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09-27-2016, 01:11 PM
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#10
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Rivet Master
2007 30' Classic
Oswego
, Illinois
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 13,669
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DKB_SATX
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That's why I don't trust my memory anymore!
__________________
-Rich-
"If the women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy." - Red Green
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09-27-2016, 01:49 PM
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#11
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Rivet Master
2009 27' FB Flying Cloud
1982 31' International
1991 35' Airstream 350
Jay
, Oklahoma
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,706
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Quote:
Originally Posted by by DKB_STAX little Duramax is 7600 lb.
[url
http://www.chevrolet.com/colorado-small-truck/specs/trims.html[/url]
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Nothing little about my Duramax.
Regards,
JD
__________________
Jeff & Cindy
'09 27FB Flying Cloud;'82 31 International
'91 350 LE MH; '21 Interstate 24GT
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09-27-2016, 02:16 PM
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#12
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4 Rivet Member
Currently Looking...
Vintage Kin Owner
Sonoma Co.
, California
Join Date: Sep 2016
Posts: 297
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Towing that 23-25 ft trailer with the V6 Chevy should not be a problem. It has plenty of torque and HP for the job. Back in the early days of travel trailers, people towed them with passenger cars that often had less than 100 hp. Just be sure to get the tow pkg option when you buy. I tow a 20 ft Argosy with a V6 Tacoma everywhere, including over the Sierra Mtns on both I-80 and US-50. It easily maintains speed limit even on steepest grades...no overheating, even on hot Summer days.
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09-27-2016, 03:35 PM
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#13
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Moderator
2017 26' Flying Cloud
Alamo Heights
, Texas
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 8,523
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jdalrymple
Nothing little about my Duramax.
Regards,
JD
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Since yours is more than 2x the little one in the Colorado by any measure, I'd say not. But I didn't know you were so sensitive about it.
__________________
— David
Zero Gravitas — 2017 Flying Cloud 26U | WBCCI# 15566
He has all of the virtues I dislike and none of the vices I admire. — Sir Winston Churchill
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09-27-2016, 04:41 PM
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#14
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Rivet Master
2006 23' Safari SE
Biloxi
, Mississippi
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 8,278
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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.
__________________
MICHAEL
Do you know what a learning experience is? A learning experience is one of those things that says "You know that thing that you just did? Don't do that."
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09-27-2016, 05:43 PM
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#15
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2 Rivet Member
2016 22' Sport
Grayslake
, Illinois
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 43
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I had the same dream. I bought a 2016 Colorado and a 22 ft airstream. It weighs only 3600 lbs without water. I keep it unloaded to try to save on the drag. I pulls fine in the midwest. I have been afraid to venture into the mountains though because I feel I do not have enough power.
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09-27-2016, 07:50 PM
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#16
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4 Rivet Member
Currently Looking...
Vintage Kin Owner
Sonoma Co.
, California
Join Date: Sep 2016
Posts: 297
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Chevy Colorado Max Trailer size?
Any V6-powered truck is going to have plenty of power to tow a tandem axle 21-23 ft trailer. Another relative of mine pulls a 22 ft trailer (not an AS) into the mountains with a Tacoma just like mine...no problem. For years I regularly towed a utility trailer loaded with 2000-2500 lbs of materials using a Toyota Tundra that had the same V6 as my Tacoma. Lack of power was never an issue, either on steep winding hill roads or the freeway. I prefer the Tacoma because of its sturdier frame/springs, but I'm sure load levelers would give the Chevy equally good handling.
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09-27-2016, 08:00 PM
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#17
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4 Rivet Member
2017 30' International
Lincolnwood
, Illinois
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 312
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Jgc
Quote:
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.
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do you have the diesel and if so how do you think it would pull a 25 FC front bedroom
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09-27-2016, 08:52 PM
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#18
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Rivet Master
2006 23' Safari SE
Biloxi
, Mississippi
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 8,278
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Milo1952
do you have the diesel and if so how do you think it would pull a 25 FC front bedroom
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2011 JGC Overland with 5.7 Hemi V-8. Below 3000 ft it pulls my 23 comfortably. Above 3000 ft it gets anemic quickly and gas mileage drops like a rock. From what I have read and talked to other JGC diesel owners that is not an issue with the current diesel JGC. I can not speak of its ability to tow a 25 as I have never towed one. I have once again been looking at pickups because I hope to be going full time in the near future and need more on the road storage. If I win the lottery I would like to move up to the 26U.
__________________
MICHAEL
Do you know what a learning experience is? A learning experience is one of those things that says "You know that thing that you just did? Don't do that."
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09-27-2016, 08:55 PM
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#19
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Rivet Master
1974 31' Sovereign
1979 23' Safari
Wayland
, New York
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,632
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Depends on the year of the trailer. The older 70's trailers were lighter than today's models. 23' is probably safe for any year, 25' might be pushing it close for recent models.
I had a Dakota 8 cylinder, towed my 23' well. When shopping for new truck I really wanted a mid size, obviously there are limited options. Decided the trade off of going up to a f150 was worth it. Very glad I did. No worries, great towing power. Better mileage than my old less powerful 8 cylinder.
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09-28-2016, 07:46 AM
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#20
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4 Rivet Member
2007 27' Safari FB SE
Rancho Murieta
, California
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 250
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Gears!
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.
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