Towing with a Chevy Colorado Tow package 7500 pound

[jgilliam1955]

We have a Casita and are looking to purchase a used Oliver II. I noticed it is 7000 pounds gross. 

I am towing with a Chevy Colorado Equipped with a Tow package, which has a 7,500-pound capacity. 

Should I get a bogger truck?

Thanks

[Tony and Rhonda]

I'm hesitant to reply to this since we're new Oliver members/owners but the rule of thumb I've been told is trailer should be no more than 80% of your TV's rated tow capacity. For your Colorado that's 6000#. I think towing right at your rated capacity is also going to cause more wear and tear on the TV.

Another consideration is your towing experience. If you're crawling up hills at 45mph in a 70-80mph speed zone it's not going to be pleasant.

Lot's of questions on this forum on towing so try the search function, or better yet search with Google.

Tony

[Roger]

I second everything Tony says. I had an F150 with a 10,000 lb. towing capacity.  I never had any issues with it. Early this year, I upgraded to an F350 and I must say pulling my Oliver is a much better experience with the F350, especially when going downhill. 

Edited November 11 by Roger
spelling

[topgun2]

46 minutes ago, Tony and Rhonda said:

I'm hesitant to reply to this since we're new Oliver members/owners but

T & R - 

Absolutely no reason to be hesitant replying to any question.

Specifically, your response to the question asked is right on the mark.  Indeed, there have been many discussions here on the Forum concerning this exact subject (and with other similar tow vehicles to the Colorado).  The tow rating is not the only limiting factor on these "mid-sized trucks".  Heck - even 1/2 ton trucks tend to run up against limitations due to payload capacity.

Thanks for your reply.

Bill

[ScubaRx]

3 hours ago, jgilliam1955 said:

Should I get a bogger truck?

Thanks

I would suggest a bigger bogger truck. 😊😊😊

Seriously, we have a GMC Canyon with a diesel engine. But we tow with our Silverado 3500HD diesel.

Move up to a 2500 or 3500 and you’ll be set. 

[Rivernerd]

3 hours ago, jgilliam1955 said:

Should I get a bigger truck?

We tow our Elite II with a 2019 SR5 Double Cab Toyota Tundra, which is technically a 1/2 ton truck, but has many features common to 3/4 ton pickups, like oversize disc brakes.  We opted to try to make the Tundra work, as we already owned it when we bought our Elite II.  With an Andersen weight distribution hitch, the Tundra is an adequate tow vehicle for two of us, with gear, towing an Elite II.  I don' feel like "the tail is wagging the dog" when towing--with the Andersen hitch.

As noted by Topgun 2, a more important limiting factor is payload capacity, not listed "Towing Capacity."  Towing capacity is calculated with nothing but an average-sized driver in the tow vehicle.  If you plan to drive alone, with minimal gear, you might barely squeak by with a Colorado towing an Elite II.

Another important factor is the curb weight of the tow vehicle vs. the trailer.  If trailer weight exceeds tow vehicle weight, the "tail" may "wag the dog" in some conditions--not good.  The curb weight of our 2019 Tundra SR5 Double Cab is roughly 5600 lbs.   An Elite II weighs just over 5K lbs. empty.  We put more of the gear and people weight in the Tundra than in the trailer, to increase our tow vehicle-to-trailer weight ratio.   As noted above, this is just adequate, in my experience. 

The curb weight of a new Chevy Colorado is listed at between 4164 and 4827 lbs.  Had I already owned a Colorado when we bought our Oliver Elite II, I would not have been comfortable "getting by" with one.  I would have chosen to "bite the bullet" and trade up to a 3/4 ton.

So, I recommend at least a 3/4 ton tow vehicle.  You will be much safer, and I expect, enjoy the towing experience much more.

[bugeyedriver]

5 hours ago, jgilliam1955 said:

Should I get a bogger truck?

Short answer - YES

[rideandfly]

We just moved up to a F-350 and really enjoy towing Ollie with it. On our previous 1/2 ton tow vehicles I added rear suspension systems to reduce rear end sag, these modifications are not needed with the F-350 when towing Ollie.  Really like the increased payload with the F-350, a couple of our past TV had to monitor the TV weight with Ollie connected to be sure we did not exceed the TV axles & gross weight. 

[topgun2]

51 minutes ago, rideandfly said:

We just moved up to a F-350

Congrats!

[rideandfly]

50 minutes ago, topgun2 said:

Congrats!

Bill, Thanks!

It has the 6.8 Mini-Zilla gas engine, a de-stroked 7.3 Godzilla, with 10R100 transmission. It's an old school gas V-8.

Really like how it tows Ollie, too. 

[topgun2]

Can I be the "flag guy" for that drag race between you and Patriot? - Please!

[rideandfly]

3 hours ago, topgun2 said:

Can I be the "flag guy" for that drag race between you and Patriot? - Please!

I think that race has happened on Youtube, Diesel Wins!

Retired from the railroad, never met an unhappy Diesel Locomotive Engineer! 😁

 

 

Edited November 11 by rideandfly

[ScottyGS]

The First place to start is the driver side door of the Colorado.  The payload of the truck will be listed there.   This is the maximum weight allowed to be carried by the truck.  

Next...  Start adding the weight you will be putting into / on the truck.  Start with the tongue weight of the Oliver (650 lbs.)  Next would be the passengers (be honest).  Then account for anything you have added to the truck as an aftermarket accessory....  Bed Caps typically weight about 300 + lbs.    Finally any camping equipment that will go in the truck...   stove, generator, camp chairs, tools, etc. 

Subtract that number from the max payload capacity limit.    If you still have a positive number, you have passed the first test.  (you still have more math to do)

I would be interested to see how your numbers work out if you would be kind enough to share.   Also would strongly advise against the Chevy Colorado ( or any other medium size truck ) as a TV.  

Best of Luck, 

Scotty 

 

[Steph and Dud B]

We've towed various trailers with everything from a V8 Ford Explorer to a diesel F350 dually. I concur with the previous posts that you might need, and would definitely be happier with, a larger tow vehicle.

[SeaDawg]

Bigger trailer, bigger truck.

Though "technically " you'd be within the legal limits, your travel joy will be increased with a bigger, heavier truck.

Dragging 7k up a mountain pass, one time, in your Colorado would likely tell the story. And, hopefully,  a great brake controller coming down.

Casita typically have a heavier tongue weight, but not as heavy as an O2. 

Your Colorado would likely be fine for my elite 1, but towing a 2, other than on flats and gradual ascents/descents, I'd want some more oomph,  and vehicle weight.

I know it's hard to think about trading up trailers, and vehicles at the same time. My 2005 Silverado is about the same size as a current Colorado,  but heavier (6k).  I have a similar tow rating. Id personally only tow a 2 in Florida flats. Id be nervous going our route to NC, at highway speed, and up green mountain gorge, with your TV. 

Your anxiety will be decreased, and travel  joy and cargo capacity,  will increase with a bigger vehicle.

 

Edited November 13 by SeaDawg

[srthomsen]

On 11/11/2025 at 1:29 PM, rideandfly said:

I think that race has happened on Youtube, Diesel Wins!

Retired from the railroad, never met an unhappy Diesel Locomotive Engineer! 😁

 

 

"Retired from the railroad, never met an unhappy Diesel Locomotive Engineer! 😁"

I too am retired from a rilroad after 30 years and I've not seen many happy diesel locomotive engineers while on the job; there are tons of them that are very happy after retirement!

30 years UP in the los angeles basin working strictly on intermodal cars. Inspect, diagnose, repair and test.

[rideandfly]

11 hours ago, srthomsen said:

"Retired from the railroad, never met an unhappy Diesel Locomotive Engineer! 😁"

I too am retired from a rilroad after 30 years and I've not seen many happy diesel locomotive engineers while on the job; there are tons of them that are very happy after retirement!

30 years UP in the los angeles basin working strictly on intermodal cars. Inspect, diagnose, repair and test.

Good to meet another retired railroader!

The NW & NS Engineers I knew were senior and had the best runs, probably why they were happy, thought it may also have something to do with operating powerful diesel electric locomotives.  I never operated a Locomotive, but got to operate locomotive simulator one time, very interesting. We used to build and rebuild intermodal cranes & parts in our shop, sometimes when a crane was to be relocated we would disassemble and reassemble intermodal cranes at their new locations.

Our gas TV does a good job towing Ollie, but really appreciate Diesel Trucks with engine braking feature towing down large mountains, too. 

 

Edited Saturday at 03:08 AM by rideandfly

[Mike and Carol]

I’ve towed my Elite II well over 100K miles since 2016.  I towed with a Toyota Tacoma for 5 or 6,000 miles.  I towed with two different Ram 1500’s (both 5.7L V8) for 50,000+ miles.  I am currently towing with a Ram 2500 6.7L diesel, around 60K miles towing.  Impressions:

2012 Tacoma (I-6, TRD Supercharger):  maybe 200 miles per tank.  Always looking for and stopping to fuel up.  At or over load limit even with the smaller bed.  

2016 Ram 1500, 2020 Ram Rebel (both 5.7L V8):  Much more comfortable towing.  Towing range much greater.  Still aware of payload limit, but nothing like the Tacoma.  Good tow vehicles.

2020 Ram 2500 (6.7L I-6 Cummins diesel):  Am I towing?  No worries about payload, towing range good.  Engine brake does 90% of the braking when going downhill. Big diesel stays at less than 2,000 RPM most of the time, pretty effortless towing.

My bottom line is that a half ton is a good TV and daily driver.  Tacoma, Colorado, etc are marginal TV’s usually operating at the upper limit of their capacity, significantly reducing the margin for error.  3/4 ton and up are ideal, enough truck to stay well within limits and offering flexibility, safety and a very pleasant towing experience.

Mike

Edited Saturday at 12:30 AM by Mike and Carol

[taylor.coyote]

I think Mike and Carol sum it up pretty well. You will always be fighting pay load and have marginal power with most 1/2 ton trucks. 3/4 ton and larger trucks tow effortlessly, give you payload headroom but make lousy daily drivers. We went from Toyota Tacoma to F250 6.7. We will never go back to a 1/2 ton for towing.  Addtionally, It's hard not to love the power of diesel if  it will fit your budget. Given a choice today, we would go with F350 for more payload capacity. We are not minimalist and bring along our toys.  

[ADKCamper]

Completely agree with all of the above experience & recommendations. We have an Elite I (5,000 lb Gross) that's lighter than the Elite II that most folks tow. Our tow vehicle has been a 1/2 ton Silverado 1500 5.3L for 8 years. This combination does fine in the flatlands and rolling hills of the East, Southeast and the mid-West. The Rockies and similar mountain ranges of the West are another thing entirely. We're the vehicle going uphill at less than 45 mph in the right lane with the flashers on. Downhill the transmission really winds up (and heats up) trying to help the brakes keep our speed under control. With an Elite II, in the mountains, it would not feel safe/controlled.

After our recent trip to Glacier NP and parts of Oregon, we finally upgraded to a 3/4 ton Silverado 2500HD with the 6.6L gas engine and 10-speed Allison transmission. Higher GVWR for camping gear, bigger engine, bigger brakes, more engine oil and transmission fluid cooling capability. Yes the diesel version would be the ultimate, particularly with its engine braking capability, but the purchase and maintenance costs are higher *and* in some locales out in the boondocks away from the interstate highways you can't always find diesel fuel when you need it... hence the gasser.

We haven't been back to the Rockies with the larger truck yet, but in the northern NY Adirondack "mountains" (only hills compared to the Rockies) the 2500 is SOLID; you don't even notice our little Elite I behind us.

As some have mentioned, its not the best choice for a daily driver in town with narrower roadways, tighter parking and more traffic.

Edited Sunday at 07:06 PM by ADKCamper