New truck with Rule 1 (Chevy Colorado)

2,445 Views | 20 Replies | Last: 4 days ago by chris1515
Teslag
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AG
I have been driving a 2023 Silverado 2500 with the 6.6 duramax. Great truck, use it to pull a 34' travel trailer. Very cumbersome when not towing and just not something I like. We decided to sell the trailer as renting it out has just become too time consuming compared to the income and lack of personal use. So no need for a 3/4 truck and I intended to trade it for a new Z-71 Tahoe. Upon arriving at the dealer they had a Colorado in the showroom. After playing in it a while I figured I'd give it a shot for a test drive. Really liked it. And then went to test drive a Frontier and Tacoma to make sure. Colorado drove better than both, and had a much much nicer interior and features. So the next day I made a deal. My trade was actually paid off so I was going to be getting a decent amount back in cash in the deal. Not bad already compared to the Tahoe.

Window Sticker



Truck





The truck itself has been great. The engine is a turbocharged 2.7l 4 cylinder kicking out 310hp and 430lb of torque. Not bad for the size of truck. Tow rating is 7700 pounds with the towing package. So I was curious. I still have the trailer until the end of the month and another rental with delivery due. I was going to borrow a truck to deliver it but wondered "why not see what the Colorado can do?". So I did.

Trailer is a 34' bumper pull with one slide out with a GVWR of 9600 pounds and dry weight of 6200 pounds. So with a weight distribution hitch I set it up and went to the scales to make sure I was good.



Truck actually sits level and much better than expected. Actually kind of surprised.




Was very relieved to see that I was under weight and balanced. I was able to tow the trailer 90 miles on the interstate with a 15mph cross wind and the truck did okay. Average speed was 65mph. A few moments being passed by several 18 wheelers got a little hairy, but all in all it did very well. I wouldn't say white knuckle but definitely had to be more attentive than usual. Not as good as the 2500 at all but definitely similar to the 1500 I had before that with the 3.0 duramax.

Very capable truck and I'll see how it goes going forward. But seems to be a fit. Interior is fantastic and much better than the Tacoma and Frontier I considered as well.
Jbob04
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Damn, 48k for a Colorado
Teslag
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Got it for $43k out the door with spray in bedliner.
AustinCountyAg
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Teslag said:

Got it for $43k out the door with spray in bedliner.
$43 OTD?
Teslag
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AG
Yes, no sales tax because of my trade in offset.
bigtruckguy3500
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Teslag said:



The truck itself has been great. The engine is a turbocharged 2.7l 4 cylinder kicking out 310hp and 430lb of torque. Not bad for the size of truck.


Wow. My first Dodge Ram, many moons ago had the 5.2L V8 Magnum . I think it was officially rated at 230 HP and 300 or 310 ft lbs torque. Crazy how much HP they can squeeze out of tiny motors these days.

Nice truck.
aggiepaintrain
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It's all very surprising


j/k nice set up
agnerd
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Looks great except for the "colorado" badge sitting up high on the front door. I'd tale those letter off if it were mine.
easttexasaggie04
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How'd it pull that camper?
Teslag
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Surprisingly well. Kept it at 65. Went up a few hills around Ranger, TX on I-20 that had some decent grade but nothing too terrible. Got passed by a few 18 wheelers that tried to suck it in a little but anticipated it. Wasn't white knuckled or stressed but definitely attentive and on alert. Anything over 65 and I could feel the trailer wanting to take over. It's a little too much for the truck, probably because of the length. I'd say the sweet spot for a travel trailer with it would be something less than 30' and around 4,500 pounds.

I did take the time to properly set up a weight distribution hitch with anti-sway. Wouldn't think of towing something like that without one.
Redstone
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My brother in law has a 2008 Colorado
bam02
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My mom has a Prius.
crowman2010
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I know a cat lady too!
Owner - Mosquito and Pest Authority | www.bugsbite.com
Aggiemike96
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I've vacationed in Colorado.
GAC06
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You've gone from a 1/2 ton to a 3/4 ton to a Colorado all in about a year?
Teslag
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No, that would be ridiculous. I did it in exactly 6 months.
mm98
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This is encouraging because up until now there is no way I would attempt a towing a 6K+ TT with a mid sized. HP/torque specs aside, the size differential between the "cart and the horse" I always felt was too much to overcome...especially over 30 ft long

Really cool to hear your experience.
mm98
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Are there different levels of towing packages, or is it just one option package to achieve the full 7700?
Teslag
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Mostly has to do with engine choice from what I found. There are two 3.7L engine options for this truck. Standard output and high output. Same engine different tuning. High output is an option on the WT and LT trims, standard on Trail Boss, Z-71, and ZR2. Difference is one is 3500 towing and the other is 7700 towing. ZR2 is 6000 towing because of the suspension.

The trailering package integrates a hitch, brake controller, and locking differential and helps a lot.
mm98
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Ok, it sounds like the towing package does not include any kind of transmission or additional oil cooler that would increase to 7700...basically get the large engine and you're covered except for the Zr2
chris1515
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That's a really pretty truck!
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