Posts
177
Joined
12/6/2019
Location
Grass Valley, CA
US
Edited Date/Time
3/2/2020 2:08pm
Choices aren't that great for mid-size trucks. I know Tacomas are solid trucks but I'm tall and feel extremely cramped in those cabs. I'm towing a 2893-pound camper, a bike or two, gear, etc.. A V8 truck is way too much gas money and I do some city driving- parking a huge truck would be petty much impossible.
I personally like the look of the Colorado- very simple (maybe I'm getting old). I notice they even offer a 4-cylinder diesel that has a higher towing capacity than the V6s. That sounds crazy but you never know.
They have a longbed Xtended cab that is at a pretty good price point. I built one online starting $33k for the 2020 4x4.
I personally like the look of the Colorado- very simple (maybe I'm getting old). I notice they even offer a 4-cylinder diesel that has a higher towing capacity than the V6s. That sounds crazy but you never know.
They have a longbed Xtended cab that is at a pretty good price point. I built one online starting $33k for the 2020 4x4.
Canyon:city: 16 - 20 mpg · Highway: 18 - 26 mpg
You might have a point there. I just assumed a V8 would chug gas. Some of these full-size trucks are astronomical, but would be more comfortable. Back to checking out Silverado's maybe.
Biggest problem I've had is a long wheelbase for a mid-size truck, and large turning radius. Our suburban parks way easier.
Visibility is a bit of an issue too. First couple months I just about merged into someone in my blind spot. Comes with blind spot mirrors, I just hadn't adapted to using them. Make sure you do.
The Shop
Like I previously said, with your small camper I would go full size then you wont have to worry about any of this. Any full size truck will adequately pull a small camper like yours.
I went with a ridgeline after checking them all out last year. The hondas interior, ride quality, and features overall are just unreal for what im looking for. Its v6 awd and im averaging 24mpg while commuting to the city 5 days a week and all the bike duties.
This video shows the general info on the Chevy, Dodge, and Ford pretty well. Tundra is another option.
The GM V8s actually shut down to 4cyl when cruising at highway speeds, then when it gets overloaded like towing or pulling out from a redlight, it goes back to V8. My mom has a 2010 Silverado and you can fumble through the dash display and pull it up to see if its running on 4 or 8 cylinders and watch it go back and forth while driving. Running 55mph down the highway it'll be in 4cyl mode, stab the throttle and it switches back to V8.
I love my Tundra, but if MPG is your concern look elsewhere. It's 13mpg, and if I baby it I can squeak out 15mpg. But you can't beat the reliability and resale value.
We looked at the full size Silverado's and they really weren't much more expensive. They ride nicer and are roomier but they also sit higher and aren't as sporty as the Colorado's. The Colorado seems more like a car inside with the bucket seats, floor shifter and console. The full size has the split compartment HVAC controls and numerous other additional electronics; even the parking brake is electrically activated. I tend to like simpler stuff that may not be as prone to problems so some of those kind of features don't have a lot of value to me. It does have the DFM which drops it down to four cylinders at times. From what I read though it's a more sophisticated system that the AFM and less prone to causing engine wear out; but I wouldn't have it on there if I had a choice. It also has a tubular frame which, if its anything like Jeeps, may become a bad thing down the road due to corrosion in our IL climate and the use of road salt. I think the full size may still be a channel frame (?) so may be better in that regard.
We like it so far. We got it in November and haven't really have put a lot of miles/time on it yet. It had a defective battery develop in the first couple of weeks which caused various driver warning messaqges to pop up randomly. They said it had a bad cell in it but it never gave trouble cranking slow. I think we're getting 19-20 MPG in the mixed driving we do here in rural IL (no interstate yet). I haven't hauled a bike in it yet.
I got as much as 30 MPG on an easy-going road trip, but it was back-country roads and 55-60 MPH (and probably a tailwind hahaha)
There is always a trade-off with these trucks. I am close to a Tundra but I see the mileage isn't that great. I might check out the Ford too.
I love mine, it's a 2019 with the V6 and has the towing package. Got it new for 27k. I wouldn't have any worries pulling the camper you mentioned.
Then I looked up the numbers. 2003 suburban: wheelbase 130", turning radius 43" 2018 colorado: wheelbase 140", turning radius 44.6'. Honestly, that suburban handled like a car. Loved that thing.
I do have the 5.5' ft. bed, so it's a little longer than some others.
Post a reply to: Mid-Size Trucks? Chevy Colorado any good?