Cobra4B

My grandfather passed away a few weeks back and to my surprise he left me his '04 GMC Canyon w/ only 13k on it. It's 4x2, I-5 (250+hp/tq), extended cab. It has a tow package and is very well optioned.

The factory rates all Colorados/Canyons at 4000 lbs tow weight no matter how it's configured... so a 4-cyl standard cab has the same specs as a 5-cyl 4-door longer wheelbase.

I'd think the extended cab 4x2 I-5 would make a great little truck. I've thought about selling it (it's worth about $15k) and getting a 2001+ Tahoe.

The guys on the colorado forums are pretty adamnat that w/ some helper springs and a larger tans cooler it'd pull a vette + open trailer just fine.

I know for darned sure that my father's '95 F-150 supercab would have done it and that 351 V-8 only made 210 hp and 230 ft/lbs of torque.

Any opinions? I'm not trying to haul an enclosed trailer every weekend... just to the 3/4 HPDEs I do a year.

Oyishdog

Brian - get the firestone airbags i put on the dakota...made all the difference in the world...they were cheap too, about 450 for everthing.

obviously, some more tq/hp is helpful...I added a chip, intake, and exhust on the dakota, the complete package was around 700...so for less then 1200 bucks alot of power was gained, as well as capacity...I am not sure whats out there for the 5cyl canyon motor, but Im sure it can work well

0Randy@DRM

After driving 270,000 miles on a chevy s10. I would have to say NO to the whole idea. Cross wind, braking, overall towing rig weight, and not important horsepower is not up to the task. Buy a new truck, it will be well worth it in the long run.

Randy
PS I'm sorry to hear about your grandfather ( I lost mine about 4 monthes ago)

wallyman424

Brian,

I would also say NO.

I borrow a lincoln navigator to tow, and its still downright hairy when its windy. Especially on those rolling hills to VIR. I cant even imagine how bad it would be in the Canyon.

Sell it and get at least a 1/2 ton truck.

I'm currently trying to find a wholesale diesel (with a 6 speed) for real cheap.

Tintin

The crosswind issue is not really a big deal, the real problem is the 4000 pound capacity. If you weigh an inexpensive trailer , like a "Big Tex" or the equivalent that is made of angled steel, you will find that it comes in at about 2000-2500 pounds. Your Vette weighs at least 3000, am I correct? Add the stuff you need for the track, probably at least 500 more. Uh-oh, 4000 is kind of light isn't it? I used to tow with late 60's Caddy convertibles and it wasn't a big deal with 429, 472 or 502 inch engines. Wait until you try to merge on a freeway with that poor little bugger pulling all of that weight. Wait until you have to stop in the rain. This is why I designed and built my own trailer that weighs under 1000 pounds and started building them for others. Another tip, a longer wheelbase vehicle is best for towing. That is why the Caddies worked so well and why Tahoes are not as good as Suburbans, etc... Send me a PM and I will tell you how to make a steel trailer with 2 X3500 axles and a spare which can be built to weigh 925 pounds...

Cobra4B

4000 apparently is only accurate for a 4 cyl short bed... however deep down I want a Tahoe... so I'll sell it and get what I want.

Tintin

The Tahoe is a good idea.. I just read your sign on name.. this is what I built the trailer for:

gkmccready

Love our '01 Tahoe 5.3L 4wd... nearly 100Kmi now. The day I picked up the Pro7 about 150mi away I didn't have a brake controller -- pulled the open wood/steel trailer and 2400lb Pro7 plus whatever in spares back home without a hiccup. The biggest problem we've had since buying the Tahoe is the RR power window motor keeps jamming up...

John Shiels

Condolences on your grandfather

you will kill the truck form abuse it will endure. It is risky and probably not even legal. You would probably feel better doing 190 MPH down the back stretch at VIR than towing with a small vehicle.

AU N EGL

Towing a trailer with load should not be more then 80% of a vehicals towing capcity. This is for saftey reasons.

a Vett on an open trailer is still 5000# more like 5500# with junk and lugage in the truck.

Does the Tahoe have 6800# - 7000# towing capacity?

oh make sure it has a towing package too, with the trans cooler.

Oyishdog

You already answered your question

btw, my first post was off the assumption that the 4k trailer weight was based on the 4cyl etc...looking around, it looks like it does not matter what you buy. In that case, sell it and get the tahoe (or similar). The dakota says 7k towing capactiy (listed in book) with the model I have stock.

gkmccready

'01 5.3L 4wd: 8700lbs max towing

Cobra4B

I may allready have a buyer for the thing... going to start Tahoe shopping.

Oyishdog

That was fast

John Shiels

another idea put 4500 lb. in the back of the truck and see how the power feels

AU N EGL

Go for the Tahoe then

Restorod '79

My experience with GM auto trannies is that they were built and designed for MINIMUN usage. If you put two bags of garbage in the back and take it to the dump, you're working that tranny hard! It will reward you by burning up at 20-30K.
Pull a car trailer and car-- maybe once.
My .02

gkmccready

100Kmi on my '01 Tahoe with the 4L60E and not a hiccup. Hauled all sorts of crap, including cars on open trailers. My buddy has an older Tahoe with the 350ci motor and he pulls his 24ft enclosed + 240Z all the time... again, no issues...

Bill Dearborn

I pulled my trailer with Vette on it for 6 years with a 91 Olds Bravada All Wheel Drive SUV. It had 3:42 gears and did fine towing the 5500 lb load on level ground but hills really did a job on the 4.3L 160 HP V6. The tranny held up well and never gave me a problem but the engine was whipped after 92K hard miles. What is interesting is the brakes on the Bravada provided better stopping power than the brakes on my 99 Tahoe or my 03 Tahoe. I actually get shorter stopping distances with the 03 Tahoe when I have the trailer attached and use its 4 wheel brakes to stop the complete load than I do when driving the Tahoe without a trailer. The Tahoe's brakes are sorta crappy thus the current Tundra commercials bragging about their brakes.

Bill