Forum Discussion

gwhitewv's avatar
gwhitewv
Explorer
Jul 21, 2020

Expert Towing Advice

I have a 2020 Chevy Colorado LT, Short Bed. It is 4 WD and it has the Towing Package (brakes, etc). It has a towing capacity of 7000 pounds.

We currently are looking at upgrading our camper to a 2020 Keystone Bullet. It is 29 feet long. The dry weight is 5275... GVWR is 7300.
I'm a "novice" towing guy....

My understanding is that the GVWR is if the camper was FULLY LOADED (water tanks full, etc.). We obviously don't plan on filling our tanks when we travel... we'll do that at the campground we visit. It's only my wife and I, so we have clothes and food for,usually, 3 to 4 days. We travel over mountains, etc.

So... here's my question. The long-time towing folks on here.... what are your thoughts on the ability of my truck (V6 gas engine... not diesel) to handle this camper? I know it will be quite a pull... but is it safe to get a camper this size with teh truck we have?

Thoughts????

Thanks -
  • Danoo's avatar
    Danoo
    Explorer
    Jul 21, 2020
    That is a whole lot of trailer for that truck. It will not be a very fun towing that large of a trailer. Since you already have the truck, I'd look for a trailer more in the 5000 GVWR range. I also think payload might be your limiting factor on the Colorado over the towing capacity.
  • APT's avatar
    APT
    Explorer
    Jul 21, 2020
    I do not think you will be pleased with power on the mountains. The 8-spd trans will help a lot to keep that 3.6L in its powerband, but you will be spending a lot of time over 4000rpm.
  • profdant139's avatar
    profdant139
    Explorer II
    Jul 21, 2020
    The real issue is not climbing hills -- it's descending hills! You want beefy brakes and a competent transmission, so that you can use the engine compression to slow yourself down.

    Good luck, and stay safe.
  • Tyler0215's avatar
    Tyler0215
    Explorer
    Jul 21, 2020
    Since you are in WV where you can't go two miles without going up a hill I'd say find a smaller trailer.
  • time2roll's avatar
    time2roll
    Nomad
    Jul 21, 2020
    You will be towing at the very max by the time you put a few people in the vehicle and personal items in the trailer. Very easy to be over over the tow vehicle rating with this trailer. Some are comfortable with this and most are not. Climbing hills will be 25 to 40 mph at max throttle. A difficult driving situation can be awkward to control. I often say keep the trailer GVWR within the tow rating and you are over. Any weight in the vehicle besides the 150# driver and a tank of fuel counts against the tow rating including optional equipment.
  • MFL's avatar
    MFL
    Nomad II
    Jul 21, 2020
    Will it work? Maybe, but that size trailer is best suited to a full half ton truck, with a powerful V8, especially going up/down mts. The newer V6s make good hp, but only at extreme RPM, unless turbo charged.

    Sounds like a nice truck, set up for some towing, but a shorter lighter wt camper would be a better experience.

    Jerry
  • Jebby14's avatar
    Jebby14
    Explorer
    Jul 21, 2020
    friend of mine has simmilar late model v6 colorado. would tow a popup easily, a light hybrid would likely be ok. My 23 footer is technically in spec, would not be a comfortable tow at all and what you are looking at is larger than what i have
  • Jebby14's avatar
    Jebby14
    Explorer
    Jul 21, 2020
    whats the payload of the truck and how big is your family. i suspect you are over. even if not thats a lot of trailer for a small truck. id be afraid of the tail wagging the dog.
  • gwhitewv's avatar
    gwhitewv
    Explorer
    Jul 21, 2020
    JIMNLIN - Thanks. As mentioned, I'm a novice camping guy. I didn't know I would need to get into the mechanical "weeds" of things in asking my question.

    I was primarily looking for people who had a similar vehicle and towed campers of that size/weight.

    Thank you for your thoughts on the matter. I will continue to research and welcome any comments on the subject before I purchase the camper. Thanks.
  • JIMNLIN's avatar
    JIMNLIN
    Explorer III
    Jul 21, 2020
    Safe ??
    Safe to me means staying within the trucks RAWR as its gonna' carry all the load.
    This means weigh your trucks front and rear axles. Then subtract that number from your trucks RAWR. The number that is left will be the trucks safe load limit.

    Pulling is the other part of towing. Your gonna' be maxed out with the small V6 engine. WE know nothing about the trucks tranny or final drive gear ratio.

    Lots of numbers needed when towing/hauling with a small marginal truck.

    That size trailer is well suited for a std duty full size 1/2 ton truck with a bigger engine/heavier spring packs.

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