With so many variations within a truck model, it can take some effort to determine what trim level and package will tow what weight. If you are driving a Chevy Colorado and are wondering which one(s) can tow at least 7,000 pounds, we can help you. We researched this vehicle in detail so that you'll know for sure which one you'll need for the job.
The 2018-2021 model Chevy Colorado will need to be equipped with the 3.6-liter V6 engine. It will also need to have the Z82 Trailering Package to tow 7,000 pounds.
Now that we know what the Chevy Colorado needs to be equipped with to tow 7,000 pounds, we'll look at what the towing capacities are within other versions of this pickup truck. You might also be wondering if you can tow a camper with the Chevy Colorado or what would happen if you exceeded towing capacity. For the answers to these questions and more, read ahead in this post to see what our research has uncovered.
The Various Towing Capacities Of The Chevy Colorado
Just because you've purchased a Chevy Colorado doesn't mean that it can tow 7,000 pounds. There are several variations of this pickup, each of which has a different towing capacity.
When researching the Colorado, we discovered that the towing capacity ranged from 1,400 pounds to 7,000 pounds. These included models going back to 2004. For this post, we'll be looking at models from 2018 forward.
The last several model years of Colorado have had that range tightened, being 3,500 pounds to 7,000 pounds. There are two engine variations of the Colorado for these model years. Their towing capacities are as follows:
- The 2018-2021 Chevy Colorado 2.5-liter L4 has a towing capacity of 3,500 pounds.
- The 2018-2022 Chevy Colorado 3.6-liter V6 has a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds.
- The 2018-2021 Chevy Colorado 3.6-liter V6 has a towing capacity of 7,000 pounds if equipped with the Z82 Trailering Package.
What Happens If You Exceed A Vehicle's Towing Capacity?
The towing capacity of any vehicle should be heeded. The Chevy Colorado is no exception. Exceeding the weight your truck is rated to tow can result in some extensive damage to your vehicle. It can also create some pretty serious risks to your safety.
There are a lot of ways that you can damage your vehicle if you tow too much weight behind it. While the following is not an all-inclusive list of those potential damages, it will give you a fairly comprehensive look at what might happen if you ignore the manufacturer's guidelines.
Towing Too Much Weight Makes It Harder To Control Your Vehicle
Your truck is only meant to tow so much weight behind it. If you attach too much, you'll find that the added weight will make your vehicle more difficult to operate.
Turning will be significantly harder. This is especially true for tight turns. The strain of making these turns puts an undue amount of pressure on your entire vehicle as it struggles to be guided.
Braking safely will also be more of a challenge. Your brakes are only rated to stop so much weight. Too much weight will make your brakes slower and possibly cause them to fail outright in some instances.
Exceeding The Towing Limit Will Damage Vital Components Of Your Vehicle
Your engine and transmission are powerful machines. But even the toughest parts of a truck need to be cooled to avoid overheating. The radiator is built to cool them, but it is only able to do so much.
Excess heat will damage the engine. It will also greatly reduce the life of your transmission. The more weight your truck pulls, the harder these parts have to work, which generates more heat. It will get to a point where your radiator will not be able to actively cool, which leads to costly damage.
You can also do great damage to your truck's frame, suspension system, tires, and other parts if you exceed the towing capacity.
There Is An Increased Risk Of Detachment
The last thing you want to happen on the highway is for your trailer to detach. This not only leads to your load being damaged or destroyed but will also create a great safety risk for those on the roadway.
Your Warranty Could Be In Jeopardy
New vehicles (and some used ones) come with a warranty that covers many of the parts. But these guarantees aren't ironclad if you mistreat your vehicle.
Exceeding the towing capacity means that you knowingly and willfully acted in such a way that would do damage to multiple parts of your truck. By doing so, you run the risk of having any warranty nullified.
You Might Face Some Legal Consequences
In most areas, towing more weight than your vehicle is rated for is against the law. While this is mostly punishable by a fine, you could also be found liable for any damage that a detached trailer does to another person or their property.
Always review the owner's manual before you attach anything to your trailer hitch. Familiarize yourself with the towing capacity of the vehicle you are driving. We advise staying 10 percent below the maximum weight.
Can You Tow A Camper With The Chevy Colorado?
With a towing capacity that ranges from 1,400 pounds to 7,000 pounds, you'll find that the Chevy Colorado will be able to safely tow a variety of campers and travel trailers.
Older models with base-level engines are more limited, as they have the lowest towing capacity. But as there are many popup campers and smaller travel trailers that weigh less than 1,200 pounds, you'll find an option that suits your needs.
Newer Colorado models with the 3.6-liter V6 engine will be able to tow larger campers. With a 5,000-pound towing capacity, these trucks will greatly broaden what style and size of camper you can pull.
Add the towing package, and you'll broaden your options even further, with the truck now capable of towing up to 7,000 pounds.
Be aware that you need to factor in the weight of not only the camper but the contents of the camper as well when figuring out the total weight you will be pulling.
What Does The Base Model Colorado Come Equipped With?
The base model of the Chevy Colorado is equipped with a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder gasoline engine. This truck has 200 horsepower, with 191 pound-feet of torque. It is a rear-wheel drive vehicle with a six-speed automatic transmission.
It's a two-seater pickup truck with a 74-inch bed and a cargo capacity of 49.9 cubic feet. Its steel wheels measure 16 inches by 7 inches.
Its 21-gallon gas tank gives it a great driving range in between fill-ups. With a fuel economy that boasts 26 highway and 20 city per gallon, you'll enjoy a fairly fuel-efficient pickup truck.
The base model Colorado will be lacking much of the onboard features of upper trim levels. This version of the truck is a comfortable and safe ride but might not suit your needs if you are looking for leather seats, premium audio, adaptive cruise control, or many of the other features included in other trims.
Final Thoughts
The Chevy Colorado is a great towing machine for a truck in its class. You'll find that getting a Colorado with the right engine and towing package will double the amount of weight it can pull when comparing it to the base model.
Never exceed the manufacturer's recommended towing capacity, lest you do great damage to your Colorado. Drive safe!
We hope this post on the Chevy Colorado answered all of your questions. For additional helpful information, we suggest reading the following posts:
How Much Does a Chevy Colorado Weigh? [By Model and Trim Level]