GMC Canyon Pickup as a tow vehicle?

[saguaro]

Have been considering a 2019 GMC Canyon to use as a tow vehicle for my 4,000 lb. travel trailer. In past years I've owned two Dodge pickups and learned to love the Cummins under the hood but now as an elderly man I don't want to drive a pickup that big around the city anymore and thus the GMC Canyon. Frankly I've never been much of General Motors fan but after a couple of test drives I'm finding this mid-sized pickup agreeable enough.

My question concerns engine options which are;

1. 2.5L I-4. Not under consideration because it will only tow 3,500 lbs.

2. 3.6L V-6. With a tow capacity of 7,000 lbs. I'm sure this would work but on a test drive I thought the truck felt just a little sluggish.

3. Duramax 2.8L I-4 Diesel. On the test drive this engine felt plenty gritty and I liked it, but then I have always liked diesels. This one has a tow capacity of 7,700 lbs. My main concern is that I know very little about this small Duramax having always been a Cummins fan. Would like to know whatever you can tell me about it. Is it durable, dependable, easily maintainable, any reoccurring issues I should know about? Please share with me whatever you might know about it, both the good and the bad.

Thanks ahead of time for all your input.

[GrandpaKip]

I looked at the Colorado/Canyon to replace my aging Frontier. I thought the V6 was plenty quick enough, the truck comfortable and handling was pretty good. But the payload was only 250 pounds more than the Frontier. I really liked the diesel, but the payload was less than the V6.
Then I tried out a Silverado. 600 pounds more payload than the Frontier and almost $10k less than the Colorado. Yep, it’s different driving a full size truck again after 30 years.
However, if I didn’t want the payload, I probably would be driving one or the other.

[travelnutz]

Along with a lot better fuel economy both towing and not towing city and highway. A double winner...

[travelnutz]

Bionic Man,

Have you looked at the 2.8 diesel's torque values??? It's torque and only torque that moves the load. Might change your mind! 7700lb tow capacity!

[VTLee]

I am towing my 18 ft. tt with the V6 Chevy Colorado. No problems whatsoever. Tows great, averaging 14.6 towing at 65 mph on two Vermont to Florida trips and not towing I get 19 to 20 combined city/hwy. Trailer is 7 ft. Wide so I can't say how a wider one would tow.

[Bionic_Man]

I am a self proclaimed "diesel guy", but I have a hard time with that 2.8. In my mind, the output is just too low. I don't think that 180 HP is enough if you want to pull a trailer (although your trailer is small).

My buddy has a Colorado with the diesel. He really likes the way it drives as well as the MPG, but it hasn't been reliable, and he mentioned a trip to TX towing his 15' enclosed utility trailer and the truck wouldn't hold 65 MPH with a strong head wind.

So, that is a N of 1, but a starting point.

Have you considered one of the 3.0 trucks, or is a 1500 also too big in your mind? You can get a 3.0 Ecodiesel in a Grand Cherokee.

[Lwiddis]

Don’t see many Canyon diesels in my area of SoCal. Price?