Question about towing

[CamaroSkooter]

Okay, so, I'm starting some research on buying a truck and I have some questions about towing.

I would like to purchase a vehicle that can safely trailer the Camaro.

Now, here's where my ignorance comes into play. I've never needed to tow anything, so I have no idea how you're supposed to determine the safe towing limits of a vehicle.

First off, what's the smallest trailer size that I would need to safely support the weight of a Camaro (let's call it 4,000 pounds)?

Then, what's the minimum towing capacity that the truck needs to have to safely tow the trailer and car combination?

Discuss

[LOWDOWN]

Trucks are rated with a GCW...Gross Combined Weight (Truck/Trailer/Cargo [Passangers and gear])...AND a separate Maximum Trailer Rating. Both Ratings will be on the door data plate, or from a dealer of the truck manufacturer. Ratings are body/engine/transmission/gear ratio-dependent. Not ALL Silverado 1500 5.3s have the SAME ratings! Prudent people do NOT go to the maximum.

If your trailer/load weight is 6,000 lb, you will be happier, while towing, if you use a truck with a greater capacity than "6,000 lb". Maximizing capacities will minimize safety AND durability.

As a tow vehicle, the longer the wheelbase, the more stable the "load" (truck and trailer) will be, particularly on highways in crosswinds. The shorter the tow vehicle, the more manoeuvreable your combination will be. Like everything else, there is always compromise.

Is there any possibility, near term, that you'll want to tow MORE weight than your Camaro/trailer? A boat or house/horse trailer? If so, adjust your criteria BEFORE you buy. Do it once...and do it right.

[DGthe3]

As long as the trailer and load are less than the tow rating of the truck, you should be good. A few people don't have a problem going over this limit (at least occasionally), many more play it safe and don't like to go past say 75% of it.

One thing that you need to keep in mind is not just the trailer weight and the tow rating but the gross combined weight rating. This is the weight of the truck, the stuff in the truck, the trailer, and the stuff on the trailer.

You'll probably need a 2 axle trailer. You could probably get away with a midsize truck, like the Colorado, especially if aren't going to be towing it up and down a lot of hills, or driving down the highway for extended periods of time. A full size would be a better option though.

[UT-Engineer]

I dont know much about the towing limits of full size pick-ups but one thing you might want to consider, for the camaro's sake, is if you will be towing it on an open trailor bed or closed. I presume open trailer, and if so, cover up the camaro well. My boss towes his PT cruiser a lot since he takes many road trips across the country and his PT has so many chips, pits, and even a few broken windows from rocks kicked up by his truck/RV.

[LOWDOWN]

Towing OVER the limits of your vehicle: IF you ever have a "problem", you'll be up the proverbial creek without you-know-what with the cops AND your insurance folks... Try settling the civil claim for that stunt without the full support of your insurance...

Fact is, on level ground, you could have theorectically towed the Titanic on a trailer with a 10-speed bike if you had enough time...but would you want to?!

[CamaroSkooter]

ROFL, nice analogy

So, here's another question, are there trailer manufacturers that are more reliable than others? Which one have y'all gone with and why?

The current generation of Colorado has a maximum towing capacity of 6,000lbs.

I'm hoping the next generation has a little higher capacity than that to give me some flexibility. I'm not really interested in going to a full size truck.

Thanks y'all! Keep the comments coming

[UT-Engineer]

Are you not considering a full-size truck for reasons other than price. My brother just sold his '97 camaro and bought a used '10 GMC Sierra Crew cab for $18K (with tow package) in Bourne, TX. The '12 Colorados are 17,395 MSRP.

[Rogue Leader]

I'm BY FAR not an expert in this, but I know a little and have recently bought a truck to tow my race car. Theres some things you want to take into account. For example how often will you be towing? A Colorado would be good enough for the occasional tow locally of your car but you will EAT the transmission in it fairly quickly, and you will wear other parts quickly as well. I would not buy a Colorado for towing a car.

In fact even 1500 series pickups many times are not suited for repeated towing. This was said to me by my racing buddies, who have all started with 1500 Series Chevy pickups or Suburbans and have eaten at least 1 transmission towing their race cars. The 1500 has the 4L60 transmission which is not suited for repeated tows. The 2500 has the 4L80 which is. Every one of my friends went up to a 2500, wither gas with the 4L80 or Diesel with the Allison transmission.

If you're looking for a truck, a 2500 series with the towing package will have no problem moving your car AND being reliable. I personally went with the truck in my sig which is extended Cab and 8 foot bed to carry all my racing junk. My race car and a trailer would be MAYBE 4200lbs tops (a Camaro would be over 6000 lbs, my race car only weighs 2k lbs.), then I carry about 700 or so lbs of gear (tools, wheels/tires, generator, compressor, tent, etc). So my truck is more than enough to take care of that, but I'd rather over do it then need to worry about transmission repairs down the road.

[Scrappy Doo]

can never go wrong with a Haulmark or a Featherlite trailer. For the heavy duty side, Felling is good.

[CamaroSkooter]

Mostly because I don't need the size. If I can manage to pull a car/trailer with a mid-size truck, I'd prefer that rather than having a massive truck that I'll always have trouble parking.

It's not that I couldn't drive a full-size truck, I'm just so used to driving a mid-size SUV ('95 S-10 Blazer) that I think I would feel awkward in a full-size.

Plus, it's not like I would be trailering stuff around often enough for the capacity to be a deal-breaker. I'm mostly interested in making sure I fully understand what the numbers mean so if I do get a truck, I don't ignorantly push it past its limits.

[LOWDOWN]

Colorado with an I-5 maxes @ 5,000lb.; Colorado V8 = 6,000lb.

[CamaroSkooter]

Right, that's the current model.

I'm hoping the next gen gets a little boost in that, but I'm not holding my breath.

[Rogue Leader]

Originally Posted by CamaroSkooter

Right, that's the current model.

I'm hoping the next gen gets a little boost in that, but I'm not holding my breath.

I still believe the Colorado is FAR too weak, I doubt they will boost it enough. Even then, I've towed with small trucks like that, its hairy, the suspension gets its ass kicked, and they will not take the repeated abuse. My 2500 suggestion may be overkill but it depends on how much/often you will tow. A 1500 series with the Towing package is the minimum you need. You can get a smaller one with short cab and bed and not end up with a huge truck.

[LOWDOWN]

Are you looking for an open or enclosed trailer? Something that has an extreme impact on your tow vehicle, at highway speeds, is something called FRONTAL AREA. Pulling an enclosed trailer with the aero properties of a barn door, at 60-70 mph, takes POWER...especially up a hill... Pulling a car the physical size of a Camaro, on top of an open trailer, is also going to move a LOT of wind/air...

Good luck with a midi-truck...and its smaller frame...and smaller brakes...and smaller tires...and, well, you get the idea...

Talk to the dudes selling trailers, tell 'em what you're haulin', and get their opinions. Then, take that info to your local truck dealers and get their opinions. Somewhere, in all of that, you'll come up with a sensible safe answer...