Expert Towing Advice
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 ...
Forum Discussion
Even though you didn’t want to get “technical”, you will really need to understand all the numbers to be safe and comfortable.
Tow weight numbers are mostly useless, as you will run out of payload long before you hit that magical number.
There is a payload (cargo capacity) number on your door jamb.
Subtract the weight of everything you put in the truck.
Subtract the weight of the WDH you are going to use. A lot of folks just figure 100 pounds.
What remains is the max tongue weight you can reasonably put on the truck.
Let’s say that result is 700 pounds.
If you divide that by .125 (12.5% for average tongue weight), you get 5600 pounds.
By this example, you should be looking at campers that have a gross weight rating of 5600 pounds for a loaded weight.
Pay no attention to dry weights. They are almost as useless as tow weights.
Sorry for all the math, but it is important. Especially when towing with a mid-size truck.
I towed a 23’ camper and our present one with a Nissan Frontier for years before getting the Silverado. I made sure to keep within all specs of the truck and barely did.
The Colorado is a capable vehicle when properly used.
Tow weight numbers are mostly useless, as you will run out of payload long before you hit that magical number.
There is a payload (cargo capacity) number on your door jamb.
Subtract the weight of everything you put in the truck.
Subtract the weight of the WDH you are going to use. A lot of folks just figure 100 pounds.
What remains is the max tongue weight you can reasonably put on the truck.
Let’s say that result is 700 pounds.
If you divide that by .125 (12.5% for average tongue weight), you get 5600 pounds.
By this example, you should be looking at campers that have a gross weight rating of 5600 pounds for a loaded weight.
Pay no attention to dry weights. They are almost as useless as tow weights.
Sorry for all the math, but it is important. Especially when towing with a mid-size truck.
I towed a 23’ camper and our present one with a Nissan Frontier for years before getting the Silverado. I made sure to keep within all specs of the truck and barely did.
The Colorado is a capable vehicle when properly used.
