Who's towing with a colorado?

[ZINGERLITE]

Im looking into a new truck to replace my 2006 silverado. The 2015+ colorado seems like a great candidate. I've looked at all the numbers and it seems to suit me well. towing the snowmobiles on a two place trailer isn't an issue, nor is my 3200lb boat. My wifes traverse(3.6 V6) tows the boat better than my Silverado. the GVRW on the Camper(2018 Zinger ZR18BR) is 4500lbs. just a little bit heavier than the boat. Im curious to hear real world experience from someone with a mid size truck. I've had full size trucks for the last 10 years so im a bit skeptical. Down sizing the daily driver just seems like its better for the wallet. Plus i can get more for my money buying a slightly smaller truck compared to a half ton.

[Camper_G]

I looked at the frontier and the Colorado before I bought my 15 Silverado. Both great trucks. The Colorado's frame and suspension were big for a smaller truck.

I went Silverado because at the time the rebates and incentives made it cheaper to buy and I didn't have any garage space concerns.

I think both of them would do well for a small TT. I like the little diesel but I hear it has a timing belt and I prefer chains. 1980s era Ford rangers they ain't! 🙂

[mountainkowboy]

Adam H wrote:
300HP @ 6300 RPM is useless.... Get the Diesel.

Adam

HP means nothing for towing, torque is what gets it done.

[Adam_H]

300HP @ 6300 RPM is useless.... Get the Diesel.

Adam

[ZINGERLITE]

I forgot about this post. It turned into a good discussion. Im still indecisive on what to do. Luckily i've got alittle time to decide.

[pld33270]

Addition to my previous post...

Wife, dogs, and I spent a long weekend in the mountains of NC, at Stone Mountain State Park. Diving on the interstate at 65 mph, 4th gear, the engine was turning 2800 rpm, which was not as bad as I thought. I did use 5th gear some on the way home when I thought the downshifting would not occur often. According to the computer, I only gained a little more than one mpg.

I have been surprised with the capability of this truck (7000 lbs). It can tow more than the 1995ish F150 with the 5.0 V8 (5100 lbs). I towed a 21 ft Sunline with it. Climbing mountains here in NC, it was working very hard.

[normal_dave]

More diesel "fuel for the fire"...from that other site:
Colorado Diesel, the little engine that could.

[bobndot]

What I was truck shopping in 2016, I was considering the Colorado vs the Silverado ,

I understand that you are towing a lighter TT than my 6000# but I'm a believer in having as much truck as possible for a close enough price difference. Keep in mind its frontal wind resistance as well as weight when towing a TT .
The residual value of the Silverado for a lease, made it more worth it for me, plus the larger interior made me feel a little more comfortable especially when in that seat for 10-12 hrs a day.

Plus, the Silverado offered $8,000 in rebate money plus a max tow package of a 2000# payload. It also included the wide folding heated towing mirrors. I really do not remember if or what was offered as a towing package for the Colorado.

Additional items in the max tow package.
Automatic locking rear differential – This forces both of the rear wheels to turn in unison regardless of traction. In practice, it helps to keep larger loads under control.
•Handling/Trailering Suspension Package – Special refinements to the suspension ensure that a heavy trailer does not lead to a turbulent drive.
•Enhanced cooling radiator – The extra stress that tow loads put on the engine is compensated for with extra cooling from the radiator.
•Revised shock tuning – This keeps the size and weight of tow loads from jarring the vehicle pulling them.
•Heavier duty rear springs and increased RGAWR – The rear-end of the vehicle is beefed up to create a stronger link between the truck and the trailer.
•9.76? rear axle – This is used to boost pulling power.
•Integrated trailer brake controller – St. Augustine drivers can tow safely when the trailer brakes are integrated into the cabin of the vehicle.
•Trailering Equipment – All models with this package equipped come standard with trailering equipment like a tow hitch.


As people option out a truck and add camping gear, we tend to eat up our payloads.

[afidel]

Jebby14 wrote:
payload would be limiting imo.

1,418 to 1,587 lbs, that's hardly limiting for a small trailer unless you've got 5 full sized people in the truck, which would be a really tight fit.

[Jebby14]

payload would be limiting imo.

[gmw_photos]

My scangage2 lives on the dash of my Nissan Frontier, V6, 4.0 gas. It extrapolates how much HP is being made ( real time ) by what the fuel flow is.

Running empty at 60 mph it shows it's making about 30 hp on flat ground with little to no wind.
Towing the full height Funfinder travel trailer doubles that. So it needs to make about 60 hp to maintain speed.

My dyno sheet shows the Frontier ( this is rear wheel power ) can make 100hp and 130 lb-ft of torque at 3500 rpm.

Hmmmm.....no wonder I can easily tow the trailer all day long at 3000 rpm.

I have never, ever, not once in over 50K miles of towing this or any of three other trailers with this truck, needed to spin it 6000 rpm.

PS, the highest HP reading I have seen the scangage2 report was 230. I had it in the other truck ( Ford F350 dually, PSD ), and I had a full load of hay on the flatdeck trailer, and needed to make a standing start up a pretty steep hill.
Get yourself a scangauge ! It's a cool toy to have on the dash.

[stevemorris]

hp of the gas engine is around 300 at 6000 rpm, I wonder what it is a normal highway engine speeds. nobody drives at 6000 rpm for very long if at all!!

[GrandpaKip]

bobndot wrote:

GrandpaKip wrote:

6.2Superduty wrote:
While the Colorado is considered mid size, it has the same dimensions as a 1967 full size Chevy pickup.

I had a ‘70’s something C15 with a 350 that wasn’t half as capable or comfortable as my Frontier. Sure sounded good with glasspacks, though.

Just when I was beginning to forget how old am I ........ :S :B

Sorry ‘bout that.

[scarfile]

I have a Colorado Diesel towing a 21 footer with Dry Weight of 3800 lbs and don't even know it's back there. Using a Camco Trekker hitch weight distribution & sway. Nice setup for sure. 22-25 MPG on level roads.
Love it!

[bobndot]

GrandpaKip wrote:

6.2Superduty wrote:
While the Colorado is considered mid size, it has the same dimensions as a 1967 full size Chevy pickup.

I had a ‘70’s something C15 with a 350 that wasn’t half as capable or comfortable as my Frontier. Sure sounded good with glasspacks, though.

Just when I was beginning to forget how old am I ........ :S :B