Medium Duty Trucks for towing Elite 11

[NowrNever]

Does anyone currently use Chevy Colorado or GMC Canyon for towing twin bed model? Need feedback.

[ScubaRx]

At the Hiawassee Rally in Georgia, there was a couple parked right beside us pulling their Elite II with a Colorado/Canyon (don't remember which) with the Duramax 2.8L. It can be done, as the tow capacity is 7700 pounds.

[Overland]

It seems like the general consensus here is that compact trucks are borderline capable of towing the Elite II. Most people, including me I guess, will recommend a full size pickup. In my admittedly brief experience here, it seems like people are fine with whatever they're using to tow, but eventually gravitate toward full size pickups sooner or later.

 

Having said that, these threads about tow vehicles remind me of George Carlin's routine about driving, where everyone going slower than you is an idiot and everyone going faster is a maniac. Same's true with tow vehicles - if you want something smaller than what whomever you're asking drives, you're obviously risking your life; and if you want something bigger, you're wasting your money.

[ScubaRx]

...everyone going slower than you is an idiot and everyone going faster is a maniac. Same’s true with tow vehicles – if you want something smaller than what whomever you’re asking drives, you’re obviously risking your life; and if you want something bigger, you’re wasting your money.

 

I do believe that sums it up pretty well.

[Rumline]

When I saw the thread title I thought "Good Lord, this truck size insanity has finally jumped the shark." Freightliner explains it better than I can:

 

The term “medium duty truck” is a broad term that can relate to several different types of vocational trucks, making the exact definition of this term difficult to nail down. Trucks are placed into classifications based on the gross vehicle weight rating. Medium duty trucks refer to truck Classes 6-7, which have a gross vehicle weight rating range of 19,501- 33,000 lbs.

 

Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon are mid-sized pickups, as opposed to full-sized pickups like F150, Silverado, etc.

 

I tow with what some consider less capable than a Chevy Colorado and I feel like my tow vehicle is adequate to the point that I don't need to rush out and replace it. Yes even driving in the mountains of Colorado.

[Overland]

I thought the same thing when I read the title - I've seen a few medium duty trucks in campgrounds before.

[ScubaRx]

This afternoon we bought a GMC Canyon with the "baby" Duramax 2.8L. It has a tow capacity of 7700 pounds. We'll see how it does pulling the Oliver.

[Try2Relax]

That's what I love about this forum, people are so willing to be informative Steve went out and bought one to do the research and report back how they do.. dedication..

[KountryKamper]

That’s what I love about this forum, people are so willing to be informative Steve went out and bought one to do the research and report back how they do.. dedication..

 

That's what I was thinking too. Such dedication Steve. But where are the dogs going to ride. :-)

[DavePhelps]

I really like the Canyon with the 2.8 Duramax. In fact it is high on my buy list. Just waiting to see how the larger Silverado with the new 3.0 Duramax plays out.

Just remember with all trucks that the tow capacity is hardly ever the issue, generally speaking. It's overloading your payload capacity where people can get in to trouble.

The Canyon in 2WD, Crew cab, and short bed has a 1507 pound payload limit. 4WD and long bed options would reduce payload further. Ollie2 has a tongue weight of 460 lbs (from website).

The tongue weight would be even more if you option the twin 30# propane tanks and have other stuff in the front like a generator. Add 2 passengers, say 300 lbs, that's 760 lbs minimum payload and you haven't begun to load your gear. Pack water? 8.34 lbs a gallon... Firewood? Fiberglass topper? etc. In this scenario, you have 740 lbs to work with before you're technically overloaded. I totally agree with what Overland said, some folks don't mind creeping up to the edge or even going over it, others like to have a large, maybe even an extreme safety margin. I will say however, from what I have read online regarding these issues, is that if you were ever in an accident and it was determined that there was an overload situation with your TV, you could held liable for all damages, and/or receive no support from your insurance company. The Canyon is a great and capable truck within it's design parameters, you just need to figure your payload needs and the tongue weight of your trailer, and then assess your personal risk tolerance. Personally, I take this towing stuff pretty seriously. I want my hitch to be setup properly, and I want to keep within the weight requirements of my TV. Be safe and happy travels!

 

Dave

 

ps Really looking forward on hearing about how your new Canyon does ScubaRx. With all the payload details.

[KountryKamper]

I went the other direction. Payload is why we just upgraded from our Tundra to a GMC 2500HD. If you start weighing on scales you might find how fast you can go over payload capacity. I wanted to add a topper and get rid of our tonneau cover but we were already maxed out on payload. The 2500 is way over kill on tow capacity but no longer have to worry about overloading it. Also 910 ft lbs of torque and exhaust brakes sure make the drive easy and fun. ?

[ScottyGS]

Sooner or later Tow Vehicle threads wander into the area of ..... "Do I really need a weight distributing hitch?"

 

Read this before you decide that:  https://www.hardworkingtrucks.com/get-sued-tow-trailer-with-pickups/

 

Best of Luck and Safe Travels,

 

Scotty

 

 

[ScubaRx]

We brought the new Canyon home yesterday.  It is a crew cab, short bed, SLT model and has the "baby" 2.8L Duramax and we are really pleased.  It is a 2017 model with all the bells and whistles and had been retained by GM to use as a loner.  Although it has 23000 miles in it, it has never been titled and was sold as "new" with the warranty and factory maintenance agreement intact.  Considering we were looking for just that vehicle and they knocked $16K off the $48K sticker price, I thought that was too good a deal to pass up.  Based on the fact that it weighs about half of what the Silverado does, I believe it will get much better mileage towing than the bigger truck.  It has a tow rating of 7700 pounds and the Oliver only weighs a little over 7000 pounds so we should be good to go, right?  The 13000 pounds capacity that the Silverado has just seems to be a lot of wasted potential.

 

 

 

Just kidding folks, the new truck belongs to my DW Tali and will become our daily driver.  The Silverado lives on and will remain the TTOC (Tow Truck of Choice) for pulling the Oliver.  We have other, smaller trailers for different purposes and the Canyon will do nicely for them.

 

 

[KountryKamper]

Ok, you got us! Hope Tali enjoys it!

[Mike and Carol]

It’s a good looking truck, Steve. Hook up the Ollie and take it for a spin up the Trace to see how it does! Mike

[DavePhelps]

Nice truck!

 

Out of curiosity, what is the payload rating (located on sticker on the driver side door jamb)? Could be just right for my Ollie1....maybe....hopefully.

 

Dave

[Monlezun]

Mmm...a two-pickup-truck-family now. You and Tali must wear a cowboy hat when driving those trucks. Also, didn't know you had moved to Tupelo, Texas!

 

Seriously, those are 2 nice looking trucks sitting in you driveway. They should serve both of you well for years. Congrats!