Towing capabilities of 8.1 Vortec and Allison transmission

[Kevin Heaney]

I have a 2004 Brave 32V and just purchased a 2017 Colorado LT Crew Max. I thought I did all of the research needed prior to buying BUT I forgot to figure the weight of the toad. My truck weights 6k lbs. and my GCWR only allows 5k max tow weight but I have the 8.1 Vortec and the Allison transmission.
Anyone out there that can share any info?
Thank you in advance

[Cousin Ed]

Weigh your truck. Our Sierrra is 5500 with a full tank. We had a Colorado (05) crew which weighed 4200.

[Easyrider]

I think ultimately it comes down to how much your RV weighs loaded including passengers vs your gross capacity. Whatever is left of the gross after subtracting the loaded weight is what you are able tow.

[l1v3fr33ord1]

Kevin-

The brochure for your coach (link here) lists GCWR at 26,000 and GVWR at 20,700, a difference of 5,300 pounds. Unhappily, it also lists the hitch rating at 5,000 pounds. The lowest value sets the upper limit, so you are limited to 5,000 pounds max. towing capacity for four-down towing.

The trailer towing limit is lower, as the brochure lists a maximum tongue weight of 350 pounds. That would normally mean a maximum trailer weight of 3,500 pounds.

All of this assumes your coach is unmodified, and that the safety label values match the brochure.

[Kevin Heaney]

Thanks for the input. My next step is to weigh the Colorado and the motorhome and then decide what to do.
Thanks again. Love this site!!

[vettenuts]

That weight seems high for a Colorado. My Silverado extended cab came it at a little less than 6K so I am wondering if you are looking at the gross weight of the truck and not the curb weight.

[Kevin Heaney]

Originally Posted by vettenuts

That weight seems high for a Colorado. My Silverado extended cab came it at a little less than 6K so I am wondering if you are looking at the gross weight of the truck and not the curb weight.

vettenuts- You are 100% correct. When I went to the Chevy dealership the service manger looked at the plate on the door frame and said 6,000 lbs was vehicle weight when actually the truck weighed 4,680 lbs with 3/4 gas tank and me in it.
So now I'm under the tow rating (barely) [emoji16].

[vettenuts]

Originally Posted by Kevin Heaney

....when actually the truck weighed 4,680 lbs with 3/4 gas tank and me in it.
So now I'm under the tow rating (barely) [emoji16].

With you out of the truck you are probably close to what I tow. My car is just under 4,000 lb (2008 Malibu) but I also use a dolly which adds weight putting it in the same neighborhood as your Colorado. The weight of your truck is great information for me since I am going to be in the market in a year or so and was waiting for the new Ford Ranger to get introduced to see if they use the aluminum body and it is towable four down. Hoping the weight will be down on that truck. If not, the Colorado remains on my short list and I like the crew cab for the extra doors that you don't get on the extended cab in the smaller truck.