Can I tow this with a 2006 Chevy Colorado...I think I can but am looking for opinions...This boat weighs 1100 pounds dry...it's also for sale in the ads...Not sure what the 125 Merc weighs though...


2003 crestliner 1750 sc 125 merc, 9.9 honda kicker, trolling motor, lowrance depth finder , rod holders, on board charger, marine radio, stainless prop, lake tamer seat, bike seat

Listed below is GM's towing capacity for the Colorado. If I had either engine I would want a transmission and oil cooler.

Maximum trailer weight ratings (lbs.) — Manual Transmission
Trailering Engine Vortec 2.9L I4
Regular Cab
2WD 2,400
4x4 2,100
Extended Cab
2WD 2,200
4x4 1,900
Crew Cab 4x4
2WD —
4x4 —
Maximum trailer weight ratings1 (lbs.) — Automatic Transmission
Engine Vortec 2.9L 2.8L I4 Vortec 3.7L I5
Regular Cab
2WD 3,400 4,000
4x4 3,000 4,000
Extended Cab
2WD 3,200 5,500
4x4 2,900 5,500
Crew Cab
2WD 3,000 5,500
4x4 — 5,500
1 Maximum trailer weight ratings are calculated assuming a base vehicle, except for any option(s) necessary to achieve the rating, plus driver. The weight of other optional equipment, passengers and cargo will reduce the maximum trailer weight your vehicle can tow. See your Chevrolet dealer for additional details. NOTE: Trailer tongue weight should be 10 to 15 percent of total loaded trailer weight up to 500 lbs. NOTE: For recreational towing restrictions and availability, consult the Owner’s Manual.

So why couldn't a Colorado tow that???? It seems to me that it would be able to. Why couldn't it?

I believe that you can if you have the I 5. I calculated the fully loaded trailer as follows:

Boat 1100 Crestliner Web Site
Engine (125) 375 Mercury Web Site for 115 Opti Max
Engine (9.9) 100 Honda Web Site
Gas (25 x 8) 200
Batteries (2) 130 Cabelas web site
Trailer 400 http://www.glen-l.com/designs/trailer/trailer-wts.html
Total Wgt 2305

But I would still want a transmission and an oil cooler on my truck when pulling any type of load.

So why couldn't a Colorado tow that???? It seems to me that it would be able to. Why couldn't it?

Richard did a nice job of estimating the total rig weight, but, as is common when I do the first-pass on such estimates, there are some items missing from the list. People rarely over-estimate the weight of a boat/motor/trailer rig with all the trimmings.

Add
electric trolling motor- 50 lbs
spare tire- 50 lbs
anchor and rope- 30 lbs
Fishing tackle and assorted gear- 150 lbs (tools, cooler, radio, charger, etc.)
NEW TOTAL- 2585 lbs

Now, consider the "weasel words" at the bottom of the towing capacity table Richard provided. Unless stated otherwise, assume the towing capacity is based on a single 200 lb driver and a full gas tank. For every 100 lbs of passengers or gear you add to the truck, subtract 100 lbs of towing capacity.

A manual transmission I4 Colorado would be overloaded with this rig. If you fish with buddies, just about any I4 version would be overloaded.

You'll need to compare your actual vehicle configuration to the weight estimate and adjustment factors above to know whether your Colorado will do the job.

And I agree with the oil and transmission cooler comments.

If you want the tow vehicle to have any durability, tow no more than about 2/3 the capacity. Even at 3/4 capacity, you will be taxing the transmission (automatic) or clutch (manual) in hot weather.
No one has mentioned braking limitations of lightweight tow vehicles, but they can be the most important item in traffic or hilly terrain.

correct me if I am wrong but isnt a trucks towing capacity based on its braking capabilities????? I have a 99 F150 with a 150k on it . 4.2 L V-6 (which is a pooch) and a manual transmission. It pulls over a 3000 lb boat all the time. My co worker who used to be a car sales man said that the towing capacities are based on a vehicles braking capabilities.

So why couldn't a Colorado tow that???? It seems to me that it would be able to. Why couldn't it?
here's a link to the 2008 Chevy towing guide: http://www.chevrolet.com/trailering/Chevy_Trailing_Guide_Catalog.pdf
look at the statement on page 4 regarding trailer brakes. My 17' Lund is roughly the same, weight-wise, as the rig you're considering. The scales showed 2400# on the axle, plus another 190# tongue weight. If you are considering the Colorado, I STRONGLY recommend that you get trailer brakes. All you need to do is have your boat push you thru an intersection on a panic stop once (I have), and you'll understand why.
As others have mentioned, the engine, trans and model Colorado make a substantial difference in capacity. You haven't told us yet what you have (or are considering). I recently up-graded my tow vehicle from a 3.3L V-6 Dodge Caravan to a 4.6L V-8 Ford Explorer. No more white knuckles about passing or merging for me.
HRG

correct me if I am wrong but isnt a trucks towing capacity based on its braking capabilities????? I have a 99 F150 with a 150k on it . 4.2 L V-6 (which is a pooch) and a manual transmission. It pulls over a 3000 lb boat all the time. My co worker who used to be a car sales man said that the towing capacities are based on a vehicles braking capabilities.

Brakes are a limiting factor in towing capacity in some vehicles, but there is still a capacity limit even when the trailer has its own brakes. Vehicle manufacturers' stated capacities are for towing at posted speed limits on any reasonable road in the USA, with what they consider "acceptable" acceleration, braking, handling, component lifetime and safety factor. If you only tow short distances at low speeds on flat roads, you can probably get away with towing a trailer heavier than rated, but don't expect anyone to recommend doing that and be prepared to hear words like "negligence" and "liability" if you're ever involved in an accident with that overloaded tow vehicle.

Another consideration is your personal enjoyment. When I started towing, I pulled a boat trailer right at the stated capacity of a full-size Chevy van and hated it. On that vehicle, engine power was the limiting factor and the darn thing wouldn't maintain 70 mph on a flat road with no headwind. Now, I tow a 3200 lb trailer (actual weight including gear) on a Chevy truck with a 6000 lb rating and it's a breeze.

I have a crew cab (four door) automatic with a Vortec 3.7L

It feels most people underestimate the full weight of their rig. My previous rig was 850 lb hull w/60 e-tec... the scale came in at 2400lbs w/ 18 gallon fuel and gear where I was guessing about 1900lbs.

My new rig, 1850 Reata (1780 lbs hull) w/ 40 gallon fuel and all gear (no kicker or anything extreme)... scale comes in at about 4400lbs where I was guessing about 3800lbs.

I tow with a Honda pilot rated for 4500 lbs for probably about 6000 miles of towing so far. It handles the tow well relating to power/transmission and traction/braking... suspension however, while acceptable, could be better. Would a 7000lb towing machine do it better? Without a doubt, but the rice burner does a fine job (although I do baby it), and it was the solution to me getting my boat... the wife got her Pilot.

Hey Bunzey,

What kind of mileage do you get while towing with that Pilot?

Oh yea, good point... I guess the suspension isn't the only thing that could be improved on... Towing is 10MPG or so around town. About 12MPG on the highway at 65-70mph. I suspect a full size machine would do a little better on the towing mileage.

Actually, I've not been real impressed with the mileage on the Pilot, period... not towing, about 16 around town babying it and I've never tested highway other than towing, but would guess only 19, 20 or so. It's only like a 4700lb vehicle and I would have expected better, especially given they brag about the mileage.

And I don't like the looks of the darn thing either, even after 2 years it won't grow on me. But, it is a nice running, well built machine and it makes the wife happy. I only drive it on the weekends towing the boat which then my focus is on the boat, which I love very very much and makes everything ok :)

Thanks for the reply.

Bunzey:

Towing that rig of yours, I doubt a full-size truck would get any better fuel mileage at the speeds you describe. I've had three full-size Chevy trucks towing the same 3100 lb boat/trailer over the past 17 years and they all got 11-13 mpg at 65-70 mph.

I suppose I'm not so bad off then... it just feels painful :)

I get about 13 pulling my 21 ft Grady white with my Super Duty V10.

of course its much safer and handles it perfectly since it made for that kind of load..

Hope you dont get into a tight situation while towing at highway speeds as the boat will become the boss and that Honda will just be along for the ride.