2018 GMC Canyon

[badercubed]

Anyone towing with a Canyon/Colorado with the 3.6L V6?

I just picked up a 2019 Apex Nano 208BHS (Dry 4000k +/-) and I am curious what I can expect out of the motor as its a big downsize from my previous combo (2018 F250 Gasser and Hideout 30BHDS).

[badercubed]

Second trip this weekend, this time with a bunch of highway driving. 120 miles each way of mostly interstate driving (NYS Thruway) and the whole combination did great.

There was no power problems getting up to speed.
No power problems going over the two Grand Island Bridges in Buffalo.
No major shifting once I was cruising around 67 mph and the truck sat around 3200 rpm.
Zero sway or push/pull in crosswinds or while being passed, or passing, larger vehicles.
I got 10.6 mpg for the trip, all towing.

Overall, the truck has well exceeded all of my expectations I would highly suggest it for anyone wanting to stay in the midsize class. I am very happy with the downsize.

[Jeeperww19]

We towed it from Grand Junction to Montrose. It was empty - it felt good on the road. If the weather here in Colorado ever clears we will be taking a short trip loaded!

[VTLee]

Jeeperww19 wrote:
I have a 2018 Colorado Z71 Crew Cab with Short Bed. I’m seriously considering a Grand Design Imagine XLS 22RBE 5K weight, tongue 500lbs, GVWR 6,500 Length 25’ 11”.

I know I’m on the edge here and should not have let the boss talk me into looking at it! We are replacing a 35’ Titanium that lives in Indio CA and that is just worn out! We can spend the winter in CA/AZ quite comfortably with the Imagine!

Comments appreciated!

I am looking at the same trailer to tow with my Colorado. Dealer near me has one on the lot for over a year but doesn't want to come down much on the price. If you buy the trailer post your experiences as I am somewhat concerned about the length.

[Lessmore]

Great report. I have the GM 3.6 liter DOHC V6 in one of our vehicles and I've always been pleased with the power this thing churns out and the MPG on the highway. A very good, high winding engine with decent torque in the low and mid range power band.

Looks like you have an excellent towing combination. I know the GMC Canyon/Chevy Colorado is supposed to be a mid sized truck, but to be honest, sometimes I've had to look twice to tell the size differential between these two and the GM full size, half tons.

[badercubed]

First trip and it was a quick one.

40 miles each way and mostly on 55mph 2-lane roads traveling between 55mph and 60mph. I got 11.5mpg while towing for the entire round trip. Bed of the truck had a row of wood, chairs, scooters and some other stuff in the back. The trailer was probably around 4,700-5,000lbs loaded up if I had to guess, including the dual 30lb propane tanks added to the front.

The truck held the weight well (Blue Ox SwapPro WD Hitch) and I never felt like the tail was wagging the dog. There were some decent crosswinds driving through open farmland, but the truck was always in control of the trailer. Braking wasn't an issue either.

The truck wasn't lacking for power, except starting from a stop headed up a hill. In that scenario, it felt much like my 2015 F250 gasser pulling a 10,000lb trailer, just on a smaller scale. It didn't shift awkwardly and was never cruising at high RPMs unless headed up an incline.

Overall, I was pleasantly pleased with the truck. We have a longer trip with some highway driving coming up and I will gladly report back.

[Jeeperww19]

Thank you,

[travelnutz]

Jeeperww19

WOW - That small trailer has an excellent layout for anytime use - totally entirely usable with slide in - large tanks - great insulation, 30 floor, 40 ceiling - large kitchen counter top space - small truck towable or reasonable size SUV or van - large roomy bathroom. What's not to like about this small trailer? We could sure go for it and even for being a couple months in Florida each year.

Good storage room in the TT plus having our long bed 2500 6.6L diesel truck with its tall lockable fiberglass cap topper on it which gives so much extra storage room to boot for my wife's handicapped needs etc. Will get very good towing fuel economy highway at well over 15 MPG+ towing highway. We know that for sure as we also had towed our Sunline Solaris 26' TT which is heavier than this TT and got an average of slightly over 16 MPG average highway. The taller raised roof top on the rear of the topper deflects the wind flow up and over the TT making for a lot better aerodynamics.

We only highway travel at 55 if speed limit is 55 or 58-60 no matter how high the speed limit is. We enjoy our traveling and see so much on the way and get great fuel economy too. Rat race travel is NOT a way of life for us and never should have been! We learned over the years and have 54 years of RV'ing now under our belt and we virtually always get to the same place as the racers within a few minutes time and we are still totally relaxed too.!

This TT has lots of walking around and passing by room too with its layout. Got our interest! We don't buy cheapy models as we keep them for a long time and want it to last and still have good resale value like our 3 Carriage 5th wheels and our Lance Legend truck canper and the other past Lances. Makes a big difference to the real bottom line.


Edited to correct a typo.

[Jeeperww19]

I have a 2018 Colorado Z71 Crew Cab with Short Bed. I’m seriously considering a Grand Design Imagine XLS 22RBE 5K weight, tongue 500lbs, GVWR 6,500 Length 25’ 11”.

I know I’m on the edge here and should not have let the boss talk me into looking at it! We are replacing a 35’ Titanium that lives in Indio CA and that is just worn out! We can spend the winter in CA/AZ quite comfortably with the Imagine!

Comments appreciated!

[parker_rowe]

badercubed wrote:

Ralph Cramden wrote:
Great looking combo and should work well for you.

That said I just fired up the corn popper and grabbed the bowl. It's going to be fun to watch this one evolve as soon as the weight police roll out of bed.

Ha, I would love to hear their input.

I will be max 5,500lbs loaded, as I had 1,600lbs loaded in my 30fter. Tow for the Canyon is 7,000lbs.

Max tongue on the Canyon is 900lbs, per the label on the receiver itself. 15% would put me at 825lbs.

The closest number I will be at or over is payload, and that all depends how much I am loaded up. Payload sticker is 1,470lbs on the door. That less the tongue weight gives me 645lbs of payload, which accommodates my family of four at 425lbs and some additional cargo. With NYS not letting you move wood anymore, the bed of my truck doesn't get much use it seems.

Truthfully, when getting the trailer, the only number that worried me was the length. The Canyon being a shortbox with a 128" wheel base, I came up with a 24ft trailer would be the max. This one is about 25ft ball to bumper, but I was okay going with it.

Numbers sound good.

I wouldn't worry about the wheelbase. We've been towing our trailer for 3-4 years at 121" wheelbase.

Just went out and measured, its about 26' bumper to ball.

No issues with the trailer taking control of the truck. I get a bit of push when big trucks pass, but only if there is a large speed differential. No wagging or sway, the whole unit moves as one.

EDIT: By wheelbase is 131, not 121....still pretty close.

[kw_00]

Thanks for the info, safe travels!

[badercubed]

kw/00 wrote:
Looks good and should work. I am interested in hearing how it works out for you since you changed from a larger setup. Downsizing can be a good thing, and the new mid sized trucks are more capable then ever. Wondering why you chose the gas over the diesel option? The gas is more then capable I’m sure, I’m looking for RV reviewes on both. Another question is what made you downsize? Just curios cause a few people I know are considering doing the same, thanks. Sorry of topic some.

I wrote this in the Forest River forum when asked the same...

"""I spent 2005 thru spring of 2018 being a construction manager/superintendent on-site and drove a company truck that doubled as my personal truck. Switched companies and jobs into a more executive position and decided I didn't want to drive a HD truck just to haul a camper around. Settled on a Canyon and couldn't be happier. The only thing I haven't been able to do with the baby truck that I did with the other truck was tow the Hideout. This while I am building a garage myself and constantly taking trips to the lumber/hardware store.

We put the Hideout on a permanent site last year but didn't want to do that again. Toyed around with the idea of purchasing a used truck just for towing or having my wife (1 mile commute) drive the bigger truck, but ultimately decided to downsize. I grew up in the Adirondacks and I'd like to camp there more as I live in Western NY, and the larger camper also wasn't conducive to "real" forest camping.

I am 36 and this is my fourth camper. An '88 Coleman pop-up and' 92 Jayco 265FS were the other two. After looking around, the 208BHS was the perfect combo of options (double bunks to grow into, baby outside kitchen, 80" queen, interior storage) and length/weight for the Canyon. I don't think there really is a comparable on the market right now, as you either give up items to get the weight down or you go heavier and longer. Heavier and longer might be within the Canyon specs (7000K towing) but I'm not looking to max stuff out, and I've over loaded and towed a lot being in construction."""

As for the diesel debate, I wasn't sure how much I was going to like a baby truck and there was a possibility I'd be getting rid of the Canyon quicker than I bought it. Almost a year later and am really enjoying it. Like I said above, it does everything I need. Truth is, it probably has roughly the same specs as my 2006 F150 with the baby V8 and I never hesitated dragging around a skidsteer with that.

[kw_00]

Looks good and should work. I am interested in hearing how it works out for you since you changed from a larger setup. Downsizing can be a good thing, and the new mid sized trucks are more capable then ever. Wondering why you chose the gas over the diesel option? The gas is more then capable I’m sure, I’m looking for RV reviewes on both. Another question is what made you downsize? Just curios cause a few people I know are considering doing the same, thanks. Sorry of topic some.

[badercubed]

Ralph Cramden wrote:
Great looking combo and should work well for you.

That said I just fired up the corn popper and grabbed the bowl. It's going to be fun to watch this one evolve as soon as the weight police roll out of bed.

Ha, I would love to hear their input.

I will be max 5,500lbs loaded, as I had 1,600lbs loaded in my 30fter. Tow for the Canyon is 7,000lbs.

Max tongue on the Canyon is 900lbs, per the label on the receiver itself. 15% would put me at 825lbs.

The closest number I will be at or over is payload, and that all depends how much I am loaded up. Payload sticker is 1,470lbs on the door. That less the tongue weight gives me 645lbs of payload, which accommodates my family of four at 425lbs and some additional cargo. With NYS not letting you move wood anymore, the bed of my truck doesn't get much use it seems.

Truthfully, when getting the trailer, the only number that worried me was the length. The Canyon being a shortbox with a 128" wheel base, I came up with a 24ft trailer would be the max. This one is about 25ft ball to bumper, but I was okay going with it.

[Dadoffourgirls]

I towed a 16ft stock trailer 300 miles (with time deadlines) with one. It was around 4k pounds, and I needed to average 70 mph to be on-time. The truck did great, was just thirsty.