Chevy Colorado

Anyone out there towing a heavy fiberglass 18 or 19 foot boat with a Colorado 4×4? Just thinking about getting a different truck and wondering how these do. With the 5.3 liter engine the ratings are fine. Heck, basically same powertrain as a full sized 1/2 ton. Just not as big. Any advise is welcome. I’ve always been fine with a 1/2 ton, if I was rich Id have a 3/4 ton but I get by well as is.

Just a thinking out load; You may have plenty of engine but would you have control? I don’t really have the answer just something to consider. Would you be creating a “tail wagging the dog” situation?

I had a Durango with a hemi A couple times I pulled my 2025 proV because I needed more seating than my truck had. It had plenty of power to pull the boat, but the shorter wheelbase made for a scary ride when hitting bumps. The boat pushed it side to side more than what I felt comfortable driving. I would think twice about the smaller truck and a heavier boat.

Since you’re talking 5.3, you’re looking at gen 1 2009-2012 models. Check the safety ratings, those 1st generation Colorado/Canyons weren’t very good,,,,,

HRG

I have an ‘05 Colorado and my 16’ tin boat is about as much as I’d want to pull with it. Maybe if you had trailer brakes and oversized 4 wheel discs it would be better, but it still would feel like the boat is controlling you at times.

I did see someone pulling an approximately 28’ camper with one over the summer, surprised the front wheels even had contact with the ground with how low the back end was. Definitely wouldn’t recommend that.

I would go full size much better control especially stopping and cornering

I don’t know of any Colorados with the 5.3l. Gen1 had a 4 cyl. and a 5 cyl. and the recent gen has a 4 cyl., 6 cyl., and a DuraMax 2.8l I-4. I had the 3.6l v-6 with crew cab and 6′ box so it had the longest wheelbase. Nice enough truck but I returned to a full size truck. Biggest issue? No towing mirrors so I couldn’t see around the boat.

I don’t know of any Colorados with the 5.3l

2009-2012 had them.

I have a 2017 with 3.6. Pulls my 185 alumacraft great, 16 mpg

I have a 2016 CCLB v6. Pulls my Lund awesome. and I can fit it in garage and park it.

Best vehicle I have ever owned.

Obviously whatever you makes you happy but personally I couldn’t buy a small truck verse a full size with them being the same price. For sure drive a new ram if you haven’t before making your decision. A lot of bang for your buck. Chevy has a new trim on silverados also the custom a good deal compared to others

I would go full size any brand.The small,short wheel based trucks just don’t handle a boat or trailer of that size as well as a truck.I am GM guy all the way,but after working on the Colorado i would not own one,ever.

Thank you all for your input. Great information. I obviously havent done any homework on this yet. Last time I looked at a Colorado it had a 5.3 liter. Shows its been awhile. Lol

I easily pulled a twin axle trailer with a 21 foot Welcraft at just over 4000 pounds wet for years with my 2014 GMC Acadia which is rated for 5000. Don’t be talked into more vehicle than you need, oversizeitius is rampant these days and pretty soon guys will believe you need a 1-ton diesel to tow a canoe.

Any boat that’s 18+ feet should have a trailer with brakes unless it’s very lightweight and simple boat with minimal HP. If the boat/motor weight plus a reasonable allowance for gear and fluids is within 500 pounds of the trailer max, IMO the trailer is undersized. Boat companies and dealers love to do this to hit price points and make an expensive boat package “cheaper”. I see lots of rigs these days that I suspect should be riding on twin axle trailers instead of singles.

The biggest factor in safe towing is the weight distribution and braking capability of the trailer. You need the correct balance point and tongue weight and braking power appropriate to the rig’s real-world weight with fuel and gear.

Do the math on your real-world weight including gear allowance and then decide where you sit on the truck’s rated towing capacity. Remember, you’ve got to drive this truck for the 95% of the time when you’re NOT towing as well.

Grouse

It’s all about braking and suspension/handling/wheelbase. The size of the motor is not the most important aspect to towing as many people think.

Evaluate the type of traveling you will be doing. Are you pulling on lightly traveled roads a relatively short distance (15 or less miles) at less than highway speeds? Are you making longer trips at highway speeds in busy traffic? Do you have a family that packs everything but the kitchen sink when you hit the water? Do you make solo trips with the bare essentials and 1/4 tank of fuel in the evenings after work on local water?

There are a lot of variables to consider. Take everything into account for your personal situation before going with someone’s “absolute” opinions on here.