Community Forums

BlueThunder4 · 11-17-2018, 07:56 AM

Is anyone towing a 2015-19 Colorado z71 with a gas class A and if so how does it perform? We towed a 17 explorer with ours and it did pretty well and weighs about 500lbs more than the Colorado but wanted to hear others experiences. We now tow a 2017 Focus as we sold the explorer for a van but I would like to get 4x4 for a toad again.
Thanks

vettenuts · 11-17-2018, 01:29 PM

I do (2018 Crew Cab Z71). Haven't had any issues but then again, haven't taken to anywhere with large grades. I was towing a Chevy Malibu on a dolly before. The Malibu was 3,900 lbs and the dolly about 400 lb so the change in weight between my prior tow and the Colorado wasn't that large, I figure 300 lbs.

One big difference, the Colorado is much narrower than the dolly so I don't have to worry about the dolly wheel riding on the edge of the pavement. The dolly was very wide and this was an issue if you needed to be close to the right for any reason such as construction zones, etc.

The Colorado has very specific steps to prepare it for towing and the battery must be disconnected. I just used the Roadmaster instructions and the Colorado owner's manual to set up a step by step procedure to follow.

PS: I love the truck

moisheh · 11-17-2018, 02:13 PM

I think you should weigh that Colorado. They are only slightly lighter than a full size Silverado. About 4700 lbs. for a CC 4x4. That is the base weight not actual weight.Are there gassers that are rated to tow over 5000 lbs.?

BlueThunder4 · 11-17-2018, 08:45 PM

The Z71 Colorado CC 4x4 comes in at a little over 4,400lbs, the ZR2 is the heavier model that has a base curb weight of 4,7xxlbs due to the larger tires, off-road suspension upgrades and wider body. Definitely at the top end of my Fleetwood’s rating but still within allowances.

vettenuts · 11-18-2018, 06:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moisheh

I think you should weigh that Colorado. They are only slightly lighter than a full size Silverado. About 4700 lbs. for a CC 4x4. That is the base weight not actual weight.Are there gassers that are rated to tow over 5000 lbs.?

My Silverado was well over the 5K lb. tow limit of the hitch. That’s one reason I went with the Colorado.

BlueThunder4 · 11-18-2018, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vettenuts

My Silverado was well over the 5K lb. tow limit of the hitch. That’s one reason I went with the Colorado.

I drove a new one yesterday and the seats seem really stiff, do they break in after a bit or do they stay that stiff? Also what kind of mileage (the truck not the Motorhome) are you seeing daily driving? I’m guessing it will be about 17mpg?

vettenuts · 11-18-2018, 04:33 PM

I am getting over 20 mpg but I don’t drive very aggressively with it. There is a mileage display that can be set on the dash so I know when I am driving harder. Haven’t had it on a trip so don’t know what the trip mileage would be. I have also had 400 lbs of pea stone (bagged) in the rear of the bed and it handled it well and the rear didn’t sag at all.

The seats are a bit stiff but I find them comfortable so far. I have a couple of threads on this forum about how I set mine up to tow. I didn’t like some of the things etrailer did during installation so found alternative methods that didn’t hack up the original truck as much.

redcolorado · 11-18-2018, 04:38 PM

I have towed my 2015 Colorado Z 71 4X4 35,000 miles and it also my daily drive another 35.000 miles. My Colorado full of fuel weighs 4635 lbs, I had a 2008 Silverado that weighed 6200 lbs. I have a Trifecta tune in the ECU that adds about 26 horse power. The performance is much improved. In performance mode acceleration is a little more than I want so I run it in Eco mode. I add this to let you know mine is not "stock". I get 19 + mpg in town average speed 24 mph and 29 + mpg highway 65 - 70 mph. It is a great toad. I just replaced the Unified Tow Brake system with a Stay and Play DOU brake system. We will be taking our first trip with the new brake system tomorrow. I tow the Colorado with a 2008 Bounder Ford V10 gasser.

BlueThunder4 · 11-18-2018, 05:47 PM

Thanks all for the reply’s, appreciate all the information

BlueThunder4 · 11-20-2018, 06:04 AM

Bought a new 2019 Z71 last night and was reading the owner manual regarding flat tow. One step I couldn’t figure out was after you get the transfer case in N and you check that it is truly N by moving the trans selector to R and D to verify no movement, where do you leave the transmission shifter when you place in ACC mode? Do you leave it in neutral? Thanks

mlh2013 · 11-20-2018, 08:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlueThunder4

Bought a new 2019 Z71 last night and was reading the owner manual regarding flat tow. One step I couldn’t figure out was after you get the transfer case in N and you check that it is truly N by moving the trans selector to R and D to verify no movement, where do you leave the transmission shifter when you place in ACC mode? Do you leave it in neutral? Thanks

I can't say about the 2019 Z71. I have a 2013 GMC Sierra Z71 and when I know the transfer case is in neutral, I put the gear selector in park and remove the keys and it's ready to tow.

redcolorado · 11-20-2018, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mlh2013

I can't say about the 2019 Z71. I have a 2013 GMC Sierra Z71 and when I know the transfer case is in neutral, I put the gear selector in park and remove the keys and it's ready to tow.

With the Colorado/Canyon turn the key to ACC and shift to park. If the key is removed the steering wheel will lock. Then disconnect the battery.