GM Reveals 2023 Chevrolet Colorado

[GearheadSS]

Originally Posted by HartfordRacingCaptain

Took delivery!

Congrats!

[Blue 13]

I’m surprised people are using these to tow a Camaro. We used a 2022 with a few ATV’s on a trailer and I was not impressed at all.

[GearheadSS]

Originally Posted by Blue 13

I’m surprised people are using these to tow a Camaro. We used a 2022 with a few ATV’s on a trailer and I was not impressed at all.

Well, the 2022 and 2023 are different generations. The 2023 is definitely more capable.

That said, I would not use one to tow close to the max weight rating.

[KMPrenger]

Originally Posted by Blue 13

I’m surprised people are using these to tow a Camaro. We used a 2022 with a few ATV’s on a trailer and I was not impressed at all.

The only saving grace would be that particular load having a pretty low wind resistance, but yeah...3,500 to 4,000 lb Camaro, with a 1,500 to 2,000 lb trailer to haul it, with any added gear of travel stuff, behind a mid-size truck (2nd gen) with a 7,000 lb rating on the gasser...that's going to be pretty maxed out. I wouldn't want to do that.

Now the 3rd gen with it's 430lb of torque should be able to keep that load moving easier, and it has a max rating of 7,700 lbs, but I still don't think I'd want to do that...or at least, not real far.

[KMPrenger]

Congrats Hartford! Happy to see you've finally got it! Hope you are happy with it.

[Blue 13]

Originally Posted by KMPrenger

The only saving grace would be that particular load having a pretty low wind resistance, but yeah...3,500 to 4,000 lb Camaro, with a 1,500 to 2,000 lb trailer to haul it, with any added gear of travel stuff, behind a mid-size truck (2nd gen) with a 7,000 lb rating on the gasser...that's going to be pretty maxed out. I wouldn't want to do that.

Now the 3rd gen with it's 430lb of torque should be able to keep that load moving easier, and it has a max rating of 7,700 lbs, but I still don't think I'd want to do that...or at least, not real far.

I agree. Getting close to max towing should be emergency only. I just bought a 2024 GMC 2500HD AT4 to tow the Camaro. Sure that’s overkill but I hate AFM so no 1500 for me.

[GearheadSS]

Originally Posted by KMPrenger

The only saving grace would be that particular load having a pretty low wind resistance, but yeah...3,500 to 4,000 lb Camaro, with a 1,500 to 2,000 lb trailer to haul it, with any added gear of travel stuff, behind a mid-size truck (2nd gen) with a 7,000 lb rating on the gasser...that's going to be pretty maxed out. I wouldn't want to do that.

Now the 3rd gen with it's 430lb of torque should be able to keep that load moving easier, and it has a max rating of 7,700 lbs, but I still don't think I'd want to do that...or at least, not real far.

I'll be testing this summer. I've got to haul the Chevelle to the shop for a new transmission so I'll be pretty close to 7k.

[HartfordRacingCaptain]

Thanks Prenger and gearhead!

Becky and Joe had a dedicated Colorado tow rig they’d use for their track days, and I thought also for dealer deliveries, so I wouldnt think too hard about it. Https://www.camaro6.com/forums/showp...72&postcount=6

[snizzle]

Originally Posted by HartfordRacingCaptain

Thanks Prenger and gearhead!

Becky and Joe had a dedicated Colorado tow rig they’d use for their track days, and I thought also for dealer deliveries, so I wouldnt think too hard about it. Https://www.camaro6.com/forums/showp...72&postcount=6

Same setup they used to tow the car to Bowling Green with success. I would think this next gen truck would be superior towing. Torque for days down low in power band.

[Blue 13]

You think a turbo 4 cylinder pulling 7000lbs up and down the Smokey Mountains is a good idea? Yay, more rolling roadblocks doing 45 in a 70 uphill. You do you, but that motor is going to be run hard and put away wet under those conditions. Proper tool for the job. Don’t forget to add in the weight of the passengers, all their stuff, and cargo as the GVWR for the 2023 Colorado Z71 is only 6250lbs.

[shank0668]

Originally Posted by Blue 13

You think a turbo 4 cylinder pulling 7000lbs up and down the Smokey Mountains is a good idea? Yay, more rolling roadblocks doing 45 in a 70 uphill. You do you, but that motor is going to be run hard and put away wet under those conditions. Proper tool for the job. Don’t forget to add in the weight of the passengers, all their stuff, and cargo as the GVWR for the 2023 Colorado Z71 is only 6250lbs.

I would put money on the motor will be the best part of that experience. Braking and handling will be far worse.

[Blue 13]

Originally Posted by shank0668

I would put money on the motor will be the best part of that experience. Braking and handling will be far worse.

Good point. I haven’t looked at the size of the rotors to factor in heat sink. Does the Colorado Z71 come with a trans cooler or braided brake lines?

[KMPrenger]

Originally Posted by Blue 13

You think a turbo 4 cylinder pulling 7000lbs up and down the Smokey Mountains is a good idea? Yay, more rolling roadblocks doing 45 in a 70 uphill. You do you, but that motor is going to be run hard and put away wet under those conditions. Proper tool for the job. Don’t forget to add in the weight of the passengers, all their stuff, and cargo as the GVWR for the 2023 Colorado Z71 is only 6250lbs.

First off, let me say that am definitely NOT advocating for pulling 7000 lbs around in the mountains with these trucks. Nope.

2nd...if you want an idea of how these trucks do pull in hilly areas, TFL Truck did a video on pulling a 6,800lb trailer up the IKE Gauntlet with Andre's Trail Boss (which has 390tq instead of the 430tq tune). It did just OK. (not great, not bad) The truck was basically maxed out. Once he got up to speed it maintained the speed limit at roughly 3,000 to 3,500 rpm for the most part. Trans temps got hotter than one might want, but owners have noticed the transmission generally runs warm so maybe the temps weren't as bad as they seemed? His did not have a trans cooler...I don't think one is available from the factory but I could be wrong.

[Blue 13]

I completely agree with your first point. Just because you CAN do something, doesn’t mean you SHOULD do it.

We were at the boat ramp just hanging out when this guy backs his boat in with a very sad looking Honda Ridgeline. So not being able to resist I asked him why and he got defensive right away (the uniform does that to people) and said “I’m in limits” or maybe “it’s under max” I don’t recall exactly. So I told him that’s fine I’m just curious and he said (to this I remember clearly) “it’s a lease”. I remember thinking someone is going to be writing nasty letters to Honda in a few years.