Thoughts on NEW Colorado/Canyon towing a 23FBQ

[TLBNJ27]

The new MIDSIZE trucks look like they have good numbers and “on paper” seem like they should be capable of handling a 6000lb 23 Ft trailer.
I know fuel tanks are smaller so range is an issue for consideration.

Thoughts, concerns, experiences?

Towed a 18ft teardrop Tab 400 4k lbs 20k miles with a 2020 Ranger worked well except fuel fills were frequent.


Thanks

[Bill M.]

I drove a Dodge Dakota for a few years. I guess a new Canyon is a huge step up from that. But...overall I prefer a full sized truck. I think they ride better than the midsize and are not a lot harder to drive and park. And they tow well. I know nothing about the towing ability of a Canyon beyond the fact that the 2 people I talked to that were towing with them said they were very happy. But they were relatively new and inexperienced towers so who knows.

[uraljohn]

My good friend bought a 2019 Colorado, properly equipped, to tow his 2019 Lance Model 1985. Right around 6k LBS ready to travel. Not enough truck. Got him where he needed to go but not without concerns. Not a white knuckle drive but not real confident in combination. Sold it and bought a 2020 Nissan NV3500 Sl passenger van. Overkill? Probably. It tows the Lance like nothing is back there. Great TV.

[tbrowne]

Like so many things it depends on the size and weight of the trailer, where you're going to tow with it, and how much weight you want to carry in the truck. Normally, bigger is better when towing, so go with bigger if you can afford it.

[TLBNJ27]

Own a F250 and absolutely hate the ride quality with such a small camper back there never settles the suspension.
Not to mention ride quality when we are not towing is harsh to say the least

[pjshier]

I, too, got tired of needing a mouth guard while unladen in our 2017 F350. And DW said no to selling the F150 that we found was inadequate for our use towing a 2017 27' FBT.

Ultimately traded both for a high trim package 2020 F250 which has slightly thinner springs, and reset the TPMS so I could air-down the tires significantly while remaining load appropriate: 45# still carries a ton of weight and is much smoother over curbs, etc.

If you are thinking of downsizing to address ride quality and understand it will likely cost $$$ when all said and done - maybe investigate $$ worth of suspension upgrades as an alternative.

YMMV, don't try this at home, etc.

[TBDOML]

I tow a 2022 23' fbt globetrotter with a 2019 Tacoma 4x4 v6 long bed. I had the truck first and knew I would be at max gvwr. It has not been an issue towing through the mountains in CA and Utah. I know it is maxed out so I don't push it.

In the past I had a 3/4 ton Suburban with a 28' travel trailer. It was white knuckles all the time. I feel the AS behind the Tacoma, but it has always been stable.

[PeterDB]

Originally Posted by TLBNJ27

The new MIDSIZE trucks look like they have good numbers and “on paper” seem like they should be capable of handling a 6000lb 23 Ft trailer.
I know fuel tanks are smaller so range is an issue for consideration.

Thoughts, concerns, experiences?

Towed a 18ft teardrop Tab 400 4k lbs 20k miles with a 2020 Ranger worked well except fuel fills were frequent.


Thanks

If your Ranger has the trailer tow package I think you're good to go. We tow a 2013 23D International with our 2019 Ranger Lariat just fine. We've towed this about 10k miles including some hairy bits like 44 & 191 from Manila, UT to Vernal, UT and 139 from Rangely, CO to Loma, CO. We typically get 13.5 MPG average. We bought the Ranger to tow a 2014 AS19 International, similar in weight to your t@b 400. The 23D doesn't tow all that different from the 19 especially at highway speeds since wind resistance is about the same due to the same frontal area. The 23 is essentially a stretched 19. For the 23D we're using a BlueOx hitch with 1000 lb bars. You might get away with 750 lb bars with the 23FBQ since the tongue weight is significantly less than that of the 23D. You're right about range due to the smallish gas tank but usually this hasn't affected us since we like to stop and stretch every 2 hours or so. It does mean planning gas stops when you're away from populated areas.

[subfan1]

We were interested in this same truck when they came out as well. We have a 23CB and while GMs numbers look like the trucks would tow it I’m skeptical of the cooling system, engine and transmission. We currently have a 2019 Sierra Denali and it tows very well. The Canyon does not offer the tire pressure monitoring system nor the side camera system so because of these issues we won’t look at them any further. Also I’m not sure how robust the small turbo charged engine will last.

[lhermen]

I own an 01 25 foot Safari that weighs in around 5200 plus whatever you add. for 2 years I towed with a 2021 Chevy Colorado, and now with a ‘23 Silverado. Although the Colorado was adequate, the full size is much better providing stability overall and power on the steeper grades. Really liked the Colorado around town, parking and hauling and would go back to the midsized if I wasn’t towing the Airstream. Hope that helps.

[Icy]

We tow and 2022 Lance 1995 with 2022 Nissan Frontier. It was setup by Cam Am RV in London Ontario. We have towed it all over Ontario with no issue’s at all.

[Taco Joe]

I might be a little concerned with tongue weight. I've towed our 23FB with my Gen 3 Tacoma about 14K miles. The tongue weight is a bit less than yours. The idea of using Can AM RV for any needed upgrades to the tow setup are spot on. I've added a Magnuson supercharger and upgraded brake rotors, calipers and brake lines, added compressor and airbags and upgraded to Bilstein shocks. Front suspension also has Sumo Spring helpers. Next upgrade is Tucson Sway Control. It pulls and tows well now. Obviously I always us the sway control hitch setup.

[moosetags]

Can you make it work? Probably. Are you going to be comfortable? Maybe. Much will depend on where and how far you are pulling that Airstream. You do not want to find yourself in a situation where the Airstream is too much trailer for the tow vehicle. Always remember that the point of this whole thing is to have fun.

Brian

[SYC2Vette]

Although as you say "on paper" the numbers work, I think you will find that you will hit the payload rating very quickly when all equipment and people are onboard.

Likely your MPG will also not be great as the turbo will be in boost mode often.

I would personally not go over 5,000 lb GTW with the mid size and even many "1/2 tons". So if you do go with a 1/2 ton carefully review the options and payload.

My opinion is the relatively high maximum trailer weight rating on any truck is intended to show you what the heaviest equipment you can haul home from the rental yard, not really what you can comfortably tow on an extended vacation trip.

[rhoatson]

Here's my 2023 Colorado Z71 with 2019 23FBQ.


Seems to tow fine except for porpoising a bit. I am new to towing, so I am trying different things to mitigate the porpoising: more chain links on the BlueOx, smaller bars - trying 750s next, came with BlueOx 1000lb bars, adding water to fresh water tank to increase tongue weight, etc.


What are forum members thoughts about the trailer being slightly coupler high? Should I lower the hitch on the Colorado to the next lower setting? This is how it was setup and left Colonial.


Thanks,
Rob

[waninae39]

we tow our 2023 fc 25Fb with an audi q5 3L

no issues, with 2 sway and WD bars it drives very well. at most we lose 25% gas mileage

hitch work was done by CANAM RV and they did a great job
andy at CANAM states that many SUV are better at towing than many 1/2 or even 3/4 tome trucks

[AlbertF]

Originally Posted by rhoatson

Here's my 2023 Colorado Z71 with 2019 23FBQ.


Seems to tow fine except for porpoising a bit. I am new to towing, so I am trying different things to mitigate the porpoising: more chain links on the BlueOx, smaller bars - trying 750s next, came with BlueOx 1000lb bars, adding water to fresh water tank to increase tongue weight, etc.


What are forum members thoughts about the trailer being slightly coupler high? Should I lower the hitch on the Colorado to the next lower setting? This is how it was setup and left Colonial.


Thanks,
Rob

A photo of the ball mount would be good. A rearward cant is beneficial for weight transfer and stable handling.

[subfan1]

Hey Rob, this is what the original poster was asking about. We have a 23CB with a heavy tongue weight and the dealer installed 750lb blue ox weight distribution bars. Ride was you described. I bought 1000lb bars and it made a huge difference. I still have the 750 bars and would give them to you if you were closer to me, ca.
Aside from the ride, please describe the trucks performance. Power, operating temperatures etc. Do these trucks have a trailer brake controller? Do they come with trailer tire air monitoring built in? Anything you can think of would be helpful. Thanks Nice combination congratulations

[rhoatson]

Originally Posted by subfan1

Hey Rob, this is what the original poster was asking about. We have a 23CB with a heavy tongue weight and the dealer installed 750lb blue ox weight distribution bars. Ride was you described. I bought 1000lb bars and it made a huge difference. I still have the 750 bars and would give them to you if you were closer to me, ca.
Aside from the ride, please describe the trucks performance. Power, operating temperatures etc. Do these trucks have a trailer brake controller? Do they come with trailer tire air monitoring built in? Anything you can think of would be helpful. Thanks Nice combination congratulations

Thanks for the offer We ended up buying 750s from etrailer. We aren't having any sway issues, unless we use "less" links on the Blue Ox bars (1000lb). We haven't been able to solve the porpoising - the truck bouncing front to back three or four times after the trailer gets upset on train tracks, potholes, etc. Blue Ox support recommended going to 750lb bars since our tongue weight is about 600lbs (according to our Sherline). Next weekend we'll start messing with those bars and different links on the chains. Dealer suggested a different brand WDH, but many here are happy with Blue Ox so I think its just tweaks needed.



The Colorado has built in brake controller, built in trailer app to increase blind spot monitoring, check trailer light operations, a pre-departure checklist, and tracks trailer mileage for maintenance. The 4-cylinder turbo seems adequate (310hp/390ft lbs) but I haven't run any real inclines or passes yet - unlike

this

guy. The 8 speed transmission temp gauge (with or without the Airstream) doesn't go above 1/2 to 5/8 of safe operating temperature and there isn't much hunting for gears but again no real elevation challenges for us yet. No trailer tire pressure monitoring.



In the photo above, does the trailer look unlevel and too nose high? I am wondering if I need to check the ball height on the hitch, in addition to the new bars, to get the trailer more level to see if that helps the porpoising.


Thanks,
Rob

[Bill M.]

"What are forum members thoughts about the trailer being slightly coupler high? Should I lower the hitch on the Colorado to the next lower setting?"

I think "coupler high" for the trailer is a mistake that should be corrected. I would want it level or down a little in the front of the trailer. So yes, I would work out a way to lower it some.