What Is Towing Capacity?
Towing capacity is the maximum amount of weight that a vehicle can tow. But it's not constrained to just how much weight the vehicle is physically capable of towing. Towing capacity also factors in how much weight is safe for the vehicle to tow and any laws about towing weight.
The maximum towing capacity of the 2023 Chevrolet Colorado is 7,700 pounds, which means the vehicle can safely tow 7,700 pounds within the law.
How Is Towing Capacity Calculated?
Towing capacity is calculated by subtracting the vehicle's curb weight from its gross combined weight rating (GCWR).
(GCWR − curb weight = towing capacity)
Curb weight is the total weight of the vehicle, including all fluids and the driver. The GCWR is the maximum weight of the vehicle and everything it's towing. The manufacturer determines this rating.
Let's say a vehicle has a curb weight of 5,000 pounds and a GCWR of 8,000 pounds. That means the vehicle itself weighs 5,000 pounds, and the manufacturer says it can safely move with 8,000 total pounds when combining the vehicle and a trailer. The towing capacity of this vehicle is 3,000 pounds (8,000 − 5,000).
In the case of the 2023 Chevrolet Colorado, a maximum GCWR of 11,600 pounds combines with a curb weight of around 4,000 pounds.
Towing Capacity in the Real World
So the 2023 Chevrolet Colorado can tow up to 7,700 pounds. But what does that look like in real-life terms? With a towing capacity of 7,700 pounds, the Colorado is capable of towing any of the following:
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Car trailer.
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Pop-up camper.
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Sailboat.
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Pontoon boat.
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Small livestock trailer.
2023 Chevrolet Colorado Payload Capacity
The 2023 Chevrolet Colorado has a payload capacity of up to 1,610 pounds. That means the vehicle is capable of carrying 1,610 pounds of extra weight on top of the weight of the vehicle itself.
The Colorado has a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of up to 6,250 pounds, which represents the amount of total weight it can support on its axles. The curb weight, or the weight of the vehicle itself, ranges up to 4,940 pounds. Payload capacity is the difference, or GVWR minus curb weight, for the configuration of the vehicle. The Colorado is capable of hauling up to 1,610 pounds on a configuration of as little as 4,640 pounds.
(GVWR − curb weight = payload capacity)
Payload capacity can often be found on the Chevy website, in the owners manual, or inside the driver's side door jamb.
Under the Hood of the 2023 Chevrolet Colorado
The 2023 Chevrolet Colorado comes with three engine options, all of which are of the 2.7L turbo variety coupled with an eight-speed automatic transmission and four-wheel drive. Horsepower ranges from 237 to 430.
Chevrolet Colorado Towing Technology
If you want to maximize the towing capacity in your Chevrolet Colorado, consider adding the trailering package. This upgrade includes the following:
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A 2-inch receiver hitch along with four- and seven-pin connectors.
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A seven-wire electrical harness and seven-pin sealed connector for lights and brakes.
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A four-way sealed connector for hooking up parking lamps, brake lamps, and turn signals for trailers without brakes.
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Automatic locking rear differential.
Chevy also supplies a range of trailering and hauling accessories such as hitch balls, wiring harnesses, roof carriers, bed lights, racks for bikes, skis, kayaks, and much more. Speak to our team at the parts department at Apple Chevrolet in York, Pennsylvania, to learn more about available accessories.
Some of the standard and available safety measures to help with towing include:
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Hill-descent control.
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Hitch guidance.
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Hitch view.
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In-vehicle trailering app.
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Integrated trailer brake controller.
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Blind-zone steering assist.
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High-definition rear vision camera.
Towing Safely in the 2023 Chevrolet Colorado
When towing any load, staying within the confines of the vehicle's towing capacity and any manufacturer recommendations is important. When towing with the 2023 Chevrolet Colorado, use the breakdown of various towing capacities listed at the beginning of this article to ensure you stay below the maximum towing capacity for your truck's specs.
Also, make sure you're staying below the payload threshold. Often when people tow things behind their truck, they also store items in the bed of the truck or on the roof and may have additional passengers on board, all of which increase the payload.
Some additional tips for safe towing with the Chevrolet Colorado include:
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Try to distribute about 60% of your tow weight over the front half of the trailer.
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Aim for a tongue weight of 10% to 15% of the loaded trailer weight. Tongue weight is the amount of downward force placed on a vehicle's tongue, or hitch, where the trailer connects. Tongue weight can be measured with a tongue weight scale or towing scale.
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Make sure all tires are properly inflated on both your Colorado and the trailer.
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Make sure all taillights and brake lights are working on your trailer.
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Make wide turns, allow extra stopping distance, and avoid excessive speeds.
Ready To Learn More?
Ready to learn more about the towing capabilities of the 2023 Chevrolet Colorado? Visit Apple Chevrolet on Loucks Road in York, Pennsylvania, to meet with our team of experts and discuss towing capacities, accessories, and more. Then jump behind the wheel of a brand new Colorado to go for a test drive and get to know this impressive truck on a more personal level. Contact us today.