Looking to purchase my first camper trailer, hoping to get some advice. My vehicle is a 2020 Chevy Colorado ZR2 Diesel, towing capacity is 5000lbs. My must haves are: Bunks, kitchen, full bath, a full bed, outdoor kitchen, outdoor shower, awning and pass through storage. Looking to keep it under $15,000. I have looked at 2019 Coachmen Apex Nano 208 BHS it is in my price range, but may be pushing my towing capacity? Any advice or recommendations would be truly appreciated!!!

What is the Colorado’s payload max? What weight will you carry in the truck...people, pets, stuff?Unfortunately you violated the rule..buy or select the TT first. Then match a TV to it.Yes, with that TT weighing 3948 dry, loaded and wet you’ll be over 5000 pounds. Full fresh water alone will be 825 pounds.

Did Chevy offer a towing package as an option and do you have it installed ?Unloaded that trailer weighs 4000 lbs. You might be surprised how fast you can add 1000 lbs ! The other big issue is what are you going to have in the truck. 4 people ? How much in the bed ? What is the GVWR for the truck and the GCVWR (truck and trailer) ?The other big factor is type of towing. Flat, hills or mountains ?Yes, you are borderline, but it is doable. Just watch what heavy object you plan to add (no dirt bikes or quads).P.S. Those "double" bunks will hold 2 people shorter than 5'4" and less than 125 lbs.

I really thought the diesel Colorado had a higher tow rating than that.Keep in mind their are many kinds of trailers and a hard sided travel trailer is by far the most difficult to tow. A truck that may be well suited to tow a 5,000 pound boat may be a struggling handful with a 4,000 pound travel trailer.The dry weight of a trailer doesn't include water, propane, or a battery. You then have to add all of your food and gear. If your tow rating really is 5,000 and the trailer really is 4,000 pounds dry then I would say you have too much trailer for that truck.

theoldwizard1 4 people will be in truck (2 adults 2 children). Not so much in the bed, its only 5' maybe 2 dogs and some gear. GVWR is 6k,the type of towing will be hills and mountains, some flats. No dirt bikes or quads. The bunks will be for my kids.KD$UPL the standard Colorado is 7k towing, ZR2 is 5k thank you both for your insight and wisdom!

Still no payload number and no weight of four people, two dogs and some gear. :(While your Colorado can “pull” the trailer, can it carry the weight?

Recommendation needed for first camper trailer | Good Sam Community

wowens79
Explorer III
Nov 06, 2020
Have you thought about a pop up?? We started in one, and loved it for the 9 years we had it. Easy to tow. Lots of windows. Ours had a king and queen size beds, and a futon, and dinette that converted to beds.

It’s different from what you’ve been looking at, but it’s worth considering.
lane_hog
Explorer II
Nov 06, 2020
You could go with the smaller trailer, but for those of us who've been there or have seen this movie a few times, there's a 90% chance you'll regret it and want to move up to a bigger trailer in a year or so.

I know it's not my money, but consider trading out the ZR2 for a used 3/4 ton or a half-ton already set up for towing. Can't imagine either would be in short supply up in Idaho.
JIMNLIN
Explorer III
Nov 06, 2020
Looking at chevy ordering guide shows the 2020 ZR2 has a 3200 RAWR and may weigh 2100-2000 lb on the rear axle leaving approx 1100-1200 lb payload on the rear axle. The ZR2 diesel take a big hit on towing performance.

Here is a BH from Allen Campers https://www.allencampermfg.com/upload/215%20BH%208.30.pdf that has a 5000 GVWR and dry is 3375 lbs with a 1625 CCC. Bought my first 8' then a 9.5' truck camper in '72 and '76 from them.
Fisherman
Explorer
Nov 05, 2020
I think that engine is a little on the anemic side for towning something at max load. On digging a bit, it appears that GM is letting it go in the direction of the dodo bird, looks like 2022 will be the last production year.
Lwiddis
Explorer II
Nov 05, 2020
Still may not be under your payload. Which is?
mcblake
Explorer
Nov 05, 2020
ok, sounds like I will be over weight with that camper....
I have also looked at this one: Coachmen Apex Nano 194BHS, this one is about 3500 pounds and it checks all the boxes. Problem is I can not find any used (pretty sure its new in 2021). It's over my budget of 15k, any suggestion to keep me under that and my weight restrictions?
theoldwizard1
Explorer II
Nov 05, 2020
valhalla360 wrote:
10-1 you are overweight on something (tow rating, payload, rear axle rating, etc...)

Can you do it anyway? Sure but it won't be a fun ride. Unless you are obsessive about keeping the weight down, you will likely be closer to the 6000lb GVWR.

And as cekkk said, you will be hitting the bump stops in the rear.
valhalla360
Navigator
Nov 05, 2020
10-1 you are overweight on something (tow rating, payload, rear axle rating, etc...)

Can you do it anyway? Sure but it won't be a fun ride. Unless you are obsessive about keeping the weight down, you will likely be closer to the 6000lb GVWR.
cekkk
Explorer
Nov 05, 2020
That's not match up in my book, because you're truck has a payload of 13 to 1550 pounds. When you hook that trailer up to that truck your tongue weight is going to be well over 600 pounds. If you are not overweight sitting in the driveway, you're certainly not going to have a good cushion. You can't rely on the published weights of either the truck or the trailer. The good news is you are doing your homework. Keep it up.
Lwiddis
Explorer II
Nov 05, 2020
Still no payload number and no weight of four people, two dogs and some gear. :(

While your Colorado can “pull” the trailer, can it carry the weight?