Chevy 2.8 Diesel and 7K Trailer

[Rzrbrn]

Anybody towing a 6k to 7K lbs travel trailer (loaded) with the new(wish) Duramax 2.8 turbo diesel? Any problems or issues going through the Rocky Mts? If you have a 4x4 what is your payload capacity? Would you buy it again?

[Vato]

Originally Posted by Rzrbrn

Anybody towing a 6k to 7K lbs travel trailer (loaded) with the new(wish) Duramax 2.8 turbo diesel? Any problems or issues going through the Rocky Mts? If you have a 4x4 what is your payload capacity? Would you buy it again?

I tow about 5k with no real concerns... however, never in those extreme conditions

I recommend you check Coloradofans.com for more information regarding towing capabilities of the Mini Max...

I remember reading a few posts regarding towing TTs cross the country

Specifically this one:
https://www.coloradofans.com/forums/...r-rockies.html

[Finance]

This might be informative:
TFL Truck

I have a Colorado, and I wouldn't do it. Operating at full capacity makes towing a chore.

[Rzrbrn]

Thanks for the info.The coloradofans website seems to have number of people that tow the weight range I do and seem very positive about the trucks abilities. Thats the kind of info I need.

[Old Scout]

….here is some other data you might consider----its not always how much weight you can tow; its often how much weight you can stop!

[Spdracr39]

Originally Posted by Old Scout

….here is some other data you might consider----its not always how much weight you can tow; its often how much weight you can stop!

Wasting your breath. He already accepted "because other people do it" makes it safe to do so. Tongue weight, payload, and hoping to stop on the downhill portion is obviously not a consideration.

[VernDiesel]

With the Green Diesel Engineering tune the 2.8 is an efficient and capable lil tow machine and a much more enjoyable driver. 6k would work well 7 likely gets to be a bit more of a chore as you are pushing the limits. Even with proper set up using a WDH set by CAT scale results. The turbo brake with a trailer brake controller makes controlling speed on a hill very safe and comfortable as the the truck brakes are always cool and fresh for a quick stop. Even if some guys think its going to work like an 80s gas half ton its not. Payload is reasonable to a 6k trailer unless you need to load the bed heavy. I like this truck for towing a boat. But I am not as much of a fan of the narrower wheelbase for towing a long flat side wind sail aka TT. Built in sway control in your WDH would be a requirement for a 6k TT as well as proper set up to CAT scale results.

[Rzrbrn]

Originally Posted by spdracr39

Wasting your breath. He already accepted "because other people do it" makes it safe to do so. Tongue weight, payload, and hoping to stop on the downhill portion is obviously not a consideration.

It's good to know there is at least one person who can read someone's mind. You must generate a lot of laughs at kid's birthday parties.

One thing I have learned is that a trailer with brakes on both axles really helps out when braking.

I have a 2011 Tundra 4x4 with 5.7L engine w/tow package. It gets about 10 mpg when towing, on a good day. It also only has a 26.4 gal gas tank. So it seems like I have to stop at almost every gas station, particularly in the boonies. It sure would be nice to get a TT puller that has both good mileage and a large gas can attached to the underbody. The Colorado may get good mileage but it only has a 21 gallon fuel tank.

[Spdracr39]

Originally Posted by Rzrbrn

It's good to know there is at least one person who can read someone's mind. You must generate a lot of laughs at kid's birthday parties.

One thing I have learned is that a trailer with brakes on both axles really helps out when braking.

I have a 2011 Tundra 4x4 with 5.7L engine w/tow package. It gets about 10 mpg when towing, on a good day. It also only has a 26.4 gal gas tank. So it seems like I have to stop at almost every gas station, particularly in the boonies. It sure would be nice to get a TT puller that has both good mileage and a large gas can attached to the underbody. The Colorado may get good mileage but it only has a 21 gallon fuel tank.

Tundra is a full size truck rated to tow up to 10,000 lbs camper is well within your safe towing limits. The Colorado is a midsize max tow 7000lbs.
Apples and Oranges.

[ScoobyDoo]

Originally Posted by Old Scout

….here is some other data you might consider----its not always how much weight you can tow; its often how much weight you can stop!

Originally Posted by spdracr39

Wasting your breath. He already accepted "because other people do it" makes it safe to do so. Tongue weight, payload, and hoping to stop on the downhill portion is obviously not a consideration.

Am I to understand from this the ability to stop and control the load is not taken into consideration when the manufacturer says "Can tow xxxx lbs when properly equipped?

Originally Posted by spdracr39

Tundra is a full size truck rated to tow up to 10,000 lbs camper is well within your safe towing limits. The Colorado is a midsize max tow 7000lbs.
Apples and Oranges.

OK, so one truck towing at the max capacity is much better than another truck towing at a lower max capacity? Not real sure I can stand under that logic.
What I wonder is do ether really advertise what the tow rating for a given vehicle is. For instance, if the vehicle they use for testing to assign the rating has a cheap rubber floormat, cheap bench seat, and crank up windows, what is the tow rating for one equipped the way most modern Americans would have to have it to drive?

[tuffr2]

There are too many types of trailers. Cargo, Flatbed, Travel Trailer, Car Hauler, Boat for example for a manufacturer to pick one. They never say our truck can tow a x amout of travel trailer.

I towed boats which never swayed where a travel trailer does sway for a simple example. Boats simply are easier to tow.
A 7,000 lb. boat is easier to tow than a 7,000 lb. Travel Trailer. I have never seen a WD hitch on any boat. I see them on 95% of travel trailers.

I would imagine a flatbed trailer with bricks weighing 7,000lbs. with the bricks placed over the axles would be easier yet.

Also I have had a bad experience anytime I maxxed out a tow vehicle.

I am starting to think manufacturers need to specify how much Travel Trailer their truck can tow safely, then how much Boat they can tow safely, then a car hauler, then a cargo trailer etc. etc. Not all are equal with a travel trailer being the toughest to tow and control.

[sirtate]

Maybe this will help...

http://www.trucktrend.com/how-to/tow...-the-standard/

The manufacturers are slowly coming around to a universal standard, the Big 3 have been playing since the 2016MY.

There is a braking standard now.

It's a good read, and it shows the minimum that a TV must perform with a trailer.

Anything more than that, and you are becoming the test driver.


Having said that...

Just because a vehicle can't tow a trailer up a 12% grade 5 times in 10 minutes, doesn't mean it's not safe... (If that is the limiting factor in testing, for example)

When you hear some Nervous-Nellie's on these forums, it seems like the only TV that's acceptable is a 1ton dually.
By that logic, most tractor-trailers shouldn't be anywhere near their gross weight.

The reality is somewhere in between.

[Demiles]

Originally Posted by tuffr2

I am starting to think manufacturers need to specify how much Travel Trailer their truck can tow safely, then how much Boat they can tow safely, then a car hauler, then a cargo trailer etc. etc. Not all are equal with a travel trailer being the toughest to tow and control.

This is the consumers job, but one that most fail miserably at.

[ScoobyDoo]

Originally Posted by tuffr2

There are too many types of trailers. Cargo, Flatbed, Travel Trailer, Car Hauler, Boat for example for a manufacturer to pick one. They never say our truck can tow a x amout of travel trailer.

I towed boats which never swayed where a travel trailer does sway for a simple example. Boats simply are easier to tow.
A 7,000 lb. boat is easier to tow than a 7,000 lb. Travel Trailer. I have never seen a WD hitch on any boat. I see them on 95% of travel trailers.

I would imagine a flatbed trailer with bricks weighing 7,000lbs. with the bricks placed over the axles would be easier yet.

Also I have had a bad experience anytime I maxxed out a tow vehicle.

I am starting to think manufacturers need to specify how much Travel Trailer their truck can tow safely, then how much Boat they can tow safely, then a car hauler, then a cargo trailer etc. etc. Not all are equal with a travel trailer being the toughest to tow and control.

You are right, the same weight can tow different depending on shape. A flatbed load of bricks grossing 65,000 pulls much easier than a van loaded to the same weight.
But you ever wonder why the dragster pops a chute at the end of his run? When it comes to stopping the 7,000 lb TT will stop just as easy as the load of bricks. And the first time I pulled a TT I was surprised at the grade I had to pedal to hold speed.
Now as to the maxxed out vehicle. Loaded drives different. Bell, a couple fat girls in the back seat of DW's cage, I can tell the difference. But I have driven a verity of vehicles over their rating, and rarely have had issues. But as you get close to max, things can go bad quick. This is what bothers me, most RVers never weigh their snot, have no idea where they are compared to ratings...

Originally Posted by sirtate

Just because a vehicle can't tow a trailer up a 12% grade 5 times in 10 minutes, doesn't mean it's not safe... (If that is the limiting factor in testing, for example)

When you hear some Nervous-Nellie's on these forums, it seems like the only TV that's acceptable is a 1ton dually.
By that logic, most tractor-trailers shouldn't be anywhere near their gross weight.

The reality is somewhere in between.

Bell, some of these guys want to climb the grade fast enough to make their ears pop, or they need more power