Forum Discussion

mcoley's avatar
mcoley
Explorer
Jul 31, 2013

Chevy Colorado general towing capacities

I have an '08 Chevy Colorado I5 with the optional towing package. The stated limits are 5,000 towing and 600 tongue weight. For the past three years I've been towing a Starcraft PUP that weighs just under 3,000 dry. I don't know the tongue weight. My wife usually loads up the camper pretty well with "stuff". I've been generally pleased with the performance even on long trips. The only strain I have ever felt is in climbing a long stretch to get to a mountain campground.

My question here stems from our recent thoughts about upgrading to a Starcraft Antiqua expandable travel trailer. It has a dry weight even less than our PUP's but has nearly a 500lb tongue weight. My Colorado is a fairly low vehicle (one of the reasons we bought it) and I'm comfortable with towing the proposed trailer except the effect of the tongue weight. Do you think installing those air-bags in the rear springs would be a good idea? If so, any additional tips regarding them?
Tow Vehicles
  • rightyouareken's avatar
    rightyouareken
    Explorer
    Aug 01, 2013
    Unfortunately I wouldn't recommend anything less than a full size truck for a TT unless the Tacoma got a v8. I tried towing a small tt (Lance 1685) with a 2011 Tacoma v6 and it had trouble in headwinds and didn't sound very good getting revved up climbs. Wind resistance is a killer. People do it with medium size trucks and SUVs but it isn't very pleasant to do much mileage in them I don't think.
  • mcoley's avatar
    mcoley
    Explorer
    Aug 01, 2013
    The model Antiqua I was looking at is the smallest, 185SB, which has a single axle and a dry weight of about 2800 lbs.

    I looked thru my Colorado owner's manual and confirmed that the max tow weight rating is 5,500 lbs for my 2008, 2WD, crew cab with the I5. I didn't see anything about frontal area limitation.

    Having said all that, I think before I graduate to any TT, I will get a bigger TV. I really would like to find something not as large as a full size crew cab truck (I need the 4 doors and back seat for grandsons). If anyone has a recommendation for a TV that meets my needs in size, feel free to let me know. I liked the Colorado because of its small size and relative fuel economy.
  • bikendan's avatar
    bikendan
    Explorer
    Aug 01, 2013
    another point is you can't compare towing a full height TT, to pulling a similar weight PUP.

    the air resistance of the HTT is going to be dramatic, compared to a PUP and really affect the anemic 5cyl. engine of the Colorado.

    in fact, the Colorado may have a frontal area limitation, in the owner's manual, that will be exceeded by any normal full height hybrid/travel trailer.
  • mbopp's avatar
    mbopp
    Explorer
    Aug 01, 2013
    Having towed our Starcraft 21SSO with an I6 Envoy and found it wanting, I can only assume an I5 Colorado would be pretty anemic.
    What model Antiqua are you looking at?
  • bikendan's avatar
    bikendan
    Explorer
    Aug 01, 2013
    i think your numbers are wrong.
    the CC Colorado's GVWR is 5000lbs.
    its towing capacity is 4000lbs., IF it has the factory tow package.

    too much trailer and probably too much payload.
  • mythree's avatar
    mythree
    Explorer
    Aug 01, 2013
    It's not the tounge weight that bothered me as much as the height of our older hybrid. We had an 05 crew cab loved the truck, but the brick in the wind killed it on the interstate.

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