Who tows with a diesel Colorado ?

[Clutch]

Being the devils advocate, The point as I see it, the OP asked for real world experience with the little duramax, so far a lot of folks basically seem to be saying, it wont work, I dont have one, dont know anybody with one, never driven one, but it wont work. The OP has an 18 - 20 ft travel trailer, and a 30 foot toy hauler, chances are he is cognizant of the travails of towing, I just took it he was asking about the duramax, not asking permission.

Would be nice to hear some opinions on how it tows. Looking at the specs, it "should" be able to yank around Twinstick's 18' TT like it isn't even back there.

If you're comparing new midsize vs new 1/2-1 Ton, be interesting if the Colorado could get the job done, all the while getting better fuel economy. Say you had a budget of $35-40K...which would be the better buy?

 

[calicamper]

There is a great 20ft Airstream tow writeup someplace. I read it some time ago. Several hundred miles full rv tanks sounded like it worked really well. 18ft small rv trailer would be a very easy match based on what I've read so far.
I know three people with the Diesel Canyon. But all three are sedan converts. I haul more than they do with my Subaru. But when they report 34mph road trips with bikes in the back under the cap they crush my Subaru 2.5Ltrip averages by about 6-8 mpg all while having more capability if needed.

 

[Clutch]

There is a great 20ft Airstream tow writeup someplace. I read it some time ago. Several hundred miles full rv tanks sounded like it worked really well. 18ft small rv trailer would be a very easy match based on what I've read so far.
I know three people with the Diesel Canyon. But all three are sedan converts. I haul more than they do with my Subaru. But when they report 34mph road trips with bikes in the back under the cap they crush my Subaru 2.5Ltrip averages by about 6-8 mpg all while having more capability if needed.

*thumbs-up*....mang, 34 mph! That must be a slooow trip!


I keep on looking at these cargo trailers with the fold out bed...and wonder how the diesel GM twins would tow it. Because a half ton truck and the mid size's are roughly the same price, but the GM Baby-Max gets such better fuel economy. Looked at Toyhualer Travel Trailers...but they all seem so cheaply built and thrown together, doesn't seem like they can take much abuse, where cargo trailers seem a bit tougher.

http://rnrtrailers.com/product/aluminum-cargo-trailer-vdc-platinum-series/

 

[calicamper]

Trying to find that Airstream write up. Pretty sure he reported 15mpg average with a mix of 65-70mph and some stop and go with about 5500lbs. I like those mini toy hauler rigs goid value for the money and light! I bet 60-65 17/18mpg is possible with a lower height narrower trailer like that. There are a few colorado fan forum peeps reporting 18ish with sleeker lower profile loads like boats or cars on trailers.

 

[Clutch]

Trying to find that Airstream write up. Pretty sure he reported 15mpg average with a mix of 65-70mph and some stop and go with about 5500lbs. I like those mini toy hauler rigs goid value for the money and light! I bet 60-65 17/18mpg is possible with a lower height narrower trailer like that. There are a few colorado fan forum peeps reporting 18ish with sleeker lower profile loads like boats or cars on trailers.

Cool thanks.

I could live with 30 mpg for commuting....and high teens in travel mode.

Keep on saying I want the plain jane contractor white WT dirt bag version.

But part of me wants this, but with the stock grill, and maybe some Robby Gordon wheels....



ooohhh...this one is pretty cool.

 

[calicamper]

I want vetilated seats but the black denali interior is a no go for me. I switched to a light interior in 2010 from black. Not going back.

 

[Clutch]

I want vetilated seats but the black denali interior is a no go for me. I switched to a light interior in 2010 from black. Not going back.

Kinda partial to gray interior myself. Vented seats would be nice...heated too. Didn't realize our Trooper had heated seats, since I don't drive it much....they were pretty nice this past winter. Hey, I am coming around!

Oh yeah...kinda digging those hybrid cargo trailers. I don't need much amenities...already have all the camp/kitchen gear. Basically just want something that sets up quick for sleeping, like my Wildernest that I have now, but something I could toss the dirt bikes in out of sight out of mind without too much worry about destroying it. Most of my moto buddies have TT's or Toy Haulers....all of them seem like they aren't built very well. They are always trading them in every couple years. Geez I have seen brand new ones on the lot with holes in the doors and cabinets falling off. Doors look like they are made out of card board and glue.

 

[calicamper]

Pricy but the livinlite vrvs are nice. I was trailer shopping when livinlite first started making those. I almost ordered one. But a Costco blow out sale online for a Lifetime 4x6 mini Jumping Jack was too hard to pass up. $1800 delivered! We love it camping and dump runs it sees lots of use. No bikes on the car roof we do big camping trips 20-21mpg in the 2.5 L Subaru 60-70mph. Add bikes up top and I get knocked down to 18mpg.
Biggest trip yet this spring Yellowstone. Two day drive each way.

 

[Clutch]

Pricy but the livinlite vrvs are nice. I was trailer shopping when livinlite first started making those. I almost ordered one. But a Costco blow out sale online for a Lifetime 4x6 mini Jumping Jack was too hard to pass up. $1800 delivered! We love it camping and dump runs it sees lots of use. No bikes on the car roof we do big camping trips 20-21mpg in the 2.5 L Subaru 60-70mph. Add bikes up top and I get knocked down to 18mpg.
Biggest trip yet this spring Yellowstone. Two day drive each way.

Guy had one of those Jumping Jack trailers on one of trips we took years ago in Flagstaff....pretty neat.

VRV's are super nice...more money than I want to spend though.

Yellowstone is 6 hours for us. Going to go there this summer, then up to Glacier and back down around.

 

[calicamper]

This is good review also they cover the stuff that experienced tow types want to know. http://www.trailerlife.com/reviews/overachievers/

 

[calicamper]

Found it
http://tribunecontentagency.com/art...16-gmc-canyon-diesel-tows-camps-like-a-champ/

 

[Clutch]

This is good review also they cover the stuff that experienced tow types want to know. http://www.trailerlife.com/reviews/overachievers/

Cool!

Looks like that R&R 6X12 trailer I was looking at is around 1500 lbs...willing to bet loaded I would be around 2500 lbs....should pull it like it isn't even back there.

 

[calicamper]

He posted his numbers. 3600 empty. With gear and full tanks it sounded like he was around 4k.
His review mirrors the 21ft Lance tow review. Nearly identical mileage and description if performance.

 

[Clutch]

He posted his numbers. 3600 empty. With gear and full tanks it sounded like he was around 4k.
His review mirrors the 21ft Lance tow review. Nearly identical mileage and description if performance.

That's pretty good.

Have client that tows a small TT with his Ecoboost, gets 10 mpg. Said he can't get better than 15 empty in town.

He also traded his 2500 Cummins for that Ecoboost....complained the Dodge was simply too much truck, he is like most people needs more of a daily, and occasionally tows. The F150 makes a much better daily.

 

[p nut]

I was getting 8MPG towing a 6x12 enclosed trailer (F150 2.7L Ecoboost). But I was also going 75-80MPH. If I bring it down to 65MPH, I'm at around ~12 MPG. Which is what I expect.
_
Size of the Colorado would surely be welcome, though. Finding parking spots at times down right stinks. Need one of these systems.