Expert Towing Advice

[gwhitewv]

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 -

[kellem]

Well here you go.

I towed a 22ft 4700lb trailer with a Colorado for 1 year before trading it in on a half ton, this was over a decade ago.

Most of my towing is in WV, a very unforgiving place for a marginal tow vehicle so staying within spec will be crucial.

Even with my half ton, I installed an aftermarket transmission cooler to deal with all the mountains.

BTW.....Stonewall resort sees us several times a year as does many of the other outstanding State parks.

[gwhitewv]

Thanks again. I believe we’re gonna try the lower weight, shorter camper.

[hookie]

Can’t say I’m an expert in towing but I have a lot of towing experience. This would be a classic case of “tail wagging the dog.”

[Boomerweps]

A shorter Trailer with a GVWR OF 5000-5500# would be a reasonable Maximum tow with a Colorado. Tow ratings are the GCWR minus truck curb weight. IOW, towing at the Max rating means an empty truck. And the tow rating absorbs the truck load capacity.

[Boomerweps]

BurbMan wrote:
That would be a much better match for your Colorado. When we bought our first hard sided trailer I wanted to get the biggest possible trailer that our Expedition would tow. What I found out was that vacation is not very relaxing when you are stressing about driving and the truck breaking down. Wound up trading a 2000 Expedition in 2001 for the Suburban, and found out that you really take a depreciation haircut trading in a 1-year old vehicle. The Suburban was a beast and lasted through 2 more trailer upgrades, I just sold it this spring with 180k miles.

You left out what series the Suburban was. They could be had in 1500, 2500, 3500 models. The Expedition is just an F-150 chassis. Excursion competed with the 2500.

[Lwiddis]

You can take your time as I do but the first time some clown left turns in front of you you’ll be happy your TV had big enough brakes (and in total big enough) and was well balanced to stop itself and its part of the trailer. I AM a Chevy fan.

[Grit_dog]

Good call.
I’ll tow about anything with anything, within reason. Have for 30 years, and I would not like that original combo.

[gwhitewv]

Well I’m guessing you aren’t a “Chevy fan”. I’m going lightweight. I will use brakes on truck and camper and will take my time. Thanks.

[Lwiddis]

Dump waste tanks and refill the fresh water at every opportunity.

[ferndaleflyer]

My family has been in the towing business in WV for about 60 years. Hard to remember how many times they recovered something towing to much weight going DOWN HILL. It will be a pain going up slow but when you start down and the brakes fail because of heat or the trailer starts to wobble----well just hope for a soft landing. That is about enough truck to tow a lawn mower trailer safely.

[BurbMan]

That would be a much better match for your Colorado. When we bought our first hard sided trailer I wanted to get the biggest possible trailer that our Expedition would tow. What I found out was that vacation is not very relaxing when you are stressing about driving and the truck breaking down. Wound up trading a 2000 Expedition in 2001 for the Suburban, and found out that you really take a depreciation haircut trading in a 1-year old vehicle. The Suburban was a beast and lasted through 2 more trailer upgrades, I just sold it this spring with 180k miles.

[Lwiddis]

“We obviously don't plan on filling our tanks when we travel... we'll do that at the campground we visit.”

Obviously wrong IMO. You’ll miss so many dry campgrounds and boondocking opportunities particularly in the West. And what if the campground water was contaminated or the pump broke?

[gwhitewv]

Thanks for the advice. We’re looking at going a little lighter with the camper. Talked to Chevrolet guys. They said look around 5200-5700 total weight, which we’ve done. Also gone shorter. (24).

Thanks again for the advice.

[BurbMan]

The issue on light duty truck is that you run out of cargo capacity long before you reach the tow rating. Keystone says the trailer is 5275 dry with 576 (11%) on the tongue. With just propane and gear (no water) you'll probably scale around 6200 lbs (I'll bet that 29'11" trailer has LOTS of storage...)

That would put your tongue weight at close to 800 lbs, add another 100 for the WD hitch and that's 900 lbs before passengers and gear in the truck. Payload capacity for a V6 Colorado is 1574, so that leaves about 600 lbs for passengers and gear in the truck. You'll be running right at the max most likely.

Going slow up hills isn't the end of the world, but it really heats up the transmission. Get a good trans temp gauge and don't let the trans get above 240* or so. The "trans hot" message usually comes on around 275*.

My personal opinion is that the truck will tow it, but you won't enjoy the experience. That's a lot of trailer for that small truck, and not something I would do.

The question you have to ask yourself is: What if I buy the trailer and it's too much for the truck? Would I get a bigger truck? You've already decided to upgrade the trailer, so going back to a smaller one is probably not something you'd want to do. Option B is stay close to home an minimize the amount of towing you do.

[rexlion]

A 7000 lb TT will need at least 700 lbs hitch weight, but in real world terms that 29' behemoth when loaded for camping is likely to be in the 900-1100 lb range. Now add another 100 lb for the weight distribution hitch (one with anti-sway for sure!) What's the payload rating for that truck? Subtract weight of occupants and other cargo, then the hitch weight. Will you be over?

There are half ton pickups being built that don't have enough payload for that TT. The Colorado is lighter duty than that.