2016 Chevy Colorado Dinghy

Our manual shift Frontier is towable, but it isn't light. Right at 4000, heavy enough that I set DW's Corolla (manual) close to 2500, up for towing.

The Frontier is a very nice ride. Close to a Camry in comfort, but it's heavy and has a giant turning circle. I wanted Club/Extended/King Cab, not the full four-door one and that steered me toward Frontier over Ranger. Tacoma isn't towable even in manual, per owner's guide.

My choice, to do it again, would be basic cab, short box, 4-cyl, manual shift RANGER. But now it becomes a search for clean used ones. When we bought ours, 2009, it seemed a really nice used one was nearly as much as new, and used ones at used prices were used up.

I think the aluminum F150 weighs the same as the Colorado.

The MPG issue is probably true too.

I'm probably going to be looking for a first gen Colorado. I would love to find a regular cab with 4WD, but they seem to be unicorns. I talked to Remco (or Superior Drivelines), and for $1000 I can get a complete driveshaft disconnect for a 2WD. A regular cab first generation is pretty light. Especially if 2WD.

Back to the new gen, I hope they figure out the transfer case issue. There is a need for a reasonably light pickup dinghy IMO. Supposedly there will be a new Ford Ranger in the next year or so? But will it be towable, who knows.

The new Colorado is not a light vehicle. Gas mileage is no better than a full size Silverado. Sure looks sexy!!

Moisheh

Well, I don't want to leave you hanging, I found the info on another forum.

Colorado toads

Maybe do a search here in this folder on Colorado. People are running into a problem with the electronically controlled transfer case not wanting to shift out of neutral after towing. If not here, I know I read a big thread on it on some RV forum.

Owners manual says YES it can. My question was how it fares as a dinghy. Just want to get a feel for its useage as a dinghy.

If it doesn't play in Peoria.....

Your owner's manual should be your bible.
ps. Originally from Peoria, IL. Was there this summer.