My daughter & SIL. are looking for a tow vehicle for a yet unsought caravan. The van will be between 19-21' long and they will be working their way around Oz. Wondering if the 4cyl 2.8L would be enough power. What are your thoughts?
Kim
Possum3 said
08:33 AM Oct 29, 2018
Van that size can weigh anything between under 2,000 KG to over 3,500 KG - Full height or pop-top - Is the Colorado a diesel/petrol/gas fuelled unit. 4WD or 2WD. Manual or Automatic. Generally a 2.8 diesel manual 2WD can comfortably tow a 2,000 KG, 19 ft pop-top. that would be limit
villatranquilla said
08:35 AM Oct 29, 2018
we tow a a heavy 23ft van with our 2013 Colorado and only complaint is that we wished we'd bought an automatic - tows well with good fuel economy around 14lts/100 k's towing at 85ks/hr
Stretch60 said
09:07 AM Oct 29, 2018
I tow heavy 21' van getting close to 3 tonne with chipped 2.5 auto diesel Navara, does it with ease.
Aus-Kiwi said
09:49 AM Oct 29, 2018
Wont have much issues if well serviced . Diesel, auto . Petrol will use too much fuel . I had petrol as work truck . Used a tank of fuel a day on average . Diesel lasted 3 days . Most driving was either highway, Pennant Hills Rd or tracks in State Forrest.
navynurse said
11:09 AM Oct 29, 2018
I've a Colorado and tow a Coromal 19 ft. about 2.5 t. and have had no problems at all. It was recommended that the auto was the best for towing.
Hope this helps.
Allan
Radar said
11:49 AM Oct 29, 2018
gandk wrote:
My daughter & SIL. are looking for a tow vehicle for a yet unsought caravan. The van will be between 19-21' long and they will be working their way around Oz. Wondering if the 4cyl 2.8L would be enough power. What are your thoughts?
Kim
Where is Dougwee he is all time guru on Collies.
If they can keep the gross weight below 3 tonnes and not over load the ute all would be fine, there is plenty out there doing it with Colorado utes.
My only advice would be not to buy a canopy, main reason is you cannot load the tub up with gear and tow a heavy caravan at same time because of the weight on the the tow bar.
No2, the canopy weighs approx 60 kgs cost over $2000, its very hard to load above the tub of the ute hieght to be fair. Expensive cover.
These are my thoughts only, if I had my chance again we would not of brought a canopy because of the concerns with weight when towing our 2.800 tonne caravan
-- Edited by Radar on Monday 29th of October 2018 11:52:14 AM
Stretch60 said
01:57 PM Oct 29, 2018
Radar, I would have thought the canopy was more about security than overloading with weight? I have soft tonneau cover and although I will be carrying gear in the back during our trip east in December /January I wish I had a canopy for security.
villatranquilla said
03:01 PM Oct 29, 2018
with our canopy (solar panel on the top) , full load of fuel and gear in the back we weigh 2610kg
Dougwe said
03:41 PM Oct 29, 2018
Hi Kim,
I have the Colorado you ask about, it's a 2014 model and I tow 2,700kg with eze. I tow in auto or manual, depending on the situation. Out of a 70lt tank I get around 600km when towing and around 700km when not towing. The Collie is loaded at all times as I live and travel full time. I never or close to never let the fuel get below half way before topping up. My choice though. Reason, my model doesn't have a hi flo fill point and got caught out a few times earlier. I believe the 2016 model changed to hi flo.
I also had an extra leaf fitted to both rear springs though and that helps heaps.
Keep Safe on the roads and out there.
Edit.....Mmmm, just read Radars comment about canopies. I have the tub and genuine Holden canopy but would not recommend it at all. Instead, get the Collie as a chassis only then fit a Aluminium canopy to it instead. Easy access all round. I have been looking into changing to that but cost for me is still out of the ball park and I have no way of getting rid of the current one.
-- Edited by Dougwe on Monday 29th of October 2018 03:47:22 PM
Dougwe said
03:43 PM Oct 29, 2018
Radar wrote:
gandk wrote:
My daughter & SIL. are looking for a tow vehicle for a yet unsought caravan. The van will be between 19-21' long and they will be working their way around Oz. Wondering if the 4cyl 2.8L would be enough power. What are your thoughts?
Kim
Where is Dougwee he is all time guru on Collies.
If they can keep the gross weight below 3 tonnes and not over load the ute all would be fine, there is plenty out there doing it with Colorado utes.
My only advice would be not to buy a canopy, main reason is you cannot load the tub up with gear and tow a heavy caravan at same time because of the weight on the the tow bar.
No2, the canopy weighs approx 60 kgs cost over $2000, its very hard to load above the tub of the ute hieght to be fair. Expensive cover.
These are my thoughts only, if I had my chance again we would not of brought a canopy because of the concerns with weight when towing our 2.800 tonne caravan
-- Edited by Radar on Monday 29th of October 2018 11:52:14 AM
Here I is Radar. Been away for two days on a little trip.
Radar said
07:07 PM Oct 29, 2018
Stretch60 wrote:
Radar, I would have thought the canopy was more about security than overloading with weight? I have soft tonneau cover and although I will be carrying gear in the back during our trip east in December /January I wish I had a canopy for security.
Yes it is for security if you think that way, my way of thinking is the theif can see in though all the canopy windows, break and enter in very quickly. There goes the portable frig.
My tool bag about $140 to replace and they are serious old mostly rusty unuse second hand tools, all the good tools are at home.
Apart from those couple items I guess I would not get to upset if a theif had go but what I will get really upset is if I end up in court facing a small overload charge.
hako said
09:02 PM Oct 29, 2018
Sons' business has a Colorado utility which I regularly drive towing a 3.2 tonne trailer - it's not a dual cab, just a 2 seater utility, 2WD and manual. Problem I find is 1 st gear is a bit high for hill starts but otherwise they are pretty tough.
Good Luck.
villatranquilla said
10:07 PM Oct 29, 2018
our windows have a dark tint so almost impossible to see inside
gandk said
11:53 AM Nov 8, 2018
thanks Dougwe. Your reply has been a great help. We have a BT50 with alumin. canopy and wouldn't do without the easy access. Ta
My daughter & SIL. are looking for a tow vehicle for a yet unsought caravan. The van will be between 19-21' long and they will be working their way around Oz. Wondering if the 4cyl 2.8L would be enough power. What are your thoughts?
Kim
Hope this helps.
Allan
Where is Dougwee he is all time guru on Collies.
If they can keep the gross weight below 3 tonnes and not over load the ute all would be fine, there is plenty out there doing it with Colorado utes.
My only advice would be not to buy a canopy, main reason is you cannot load the tub up with gear and tow a heavy caravan at same time because of the weight on the the tow bar.
No2, the canopy weighs approx 60 kgs cost over $2000, its very hard to load above the tub of the ute hieght to be fair. Expensive cover.
These are my thoughts only, if I had my chance again we would not of brought a canopy because of the concerns with weight when towing our 2.800 tonne caravan
-- Edited by Radar on Monday 29th of October 2018 11:52:14 AM
Radar, I would have thought the canopy was more about security than overloading with weight? I have soft tonneau cover and although I will be carrying gear in the back during our trip east in December /January I wish I had a canopy for security.
Hi Kim,
I have the Colorado you ask about, it's a 2014 model and I tow 2,700kg with eze. I tow in auto or manual, depending on the situation. Out of a 70lt tank I get around 600km when towing and around 700km when not towing. The Collie is loaded at all times as I live and travel full time. I never or close to never let the fuel get below half way before topping up. My choice though. Reason, my model doesn't have a hi flo fill point and got caught out a few times earlier. I believe the 2016 model changed to hi flo.
I also had an extra leaf fitted to both rear springs though and that helps heaps.
Keep Safe on the roads and out there.
Edit.....Mmmm, just read Radars comment about canopies. I have the tub and genuine Holden canopy but would not recommend it at all. Instead, get the Collie as a chassis only then fit a Aluminium canopy to it instead. Easy access all round. I have been looking into changing to that but cost for me is still out of the ball park and I have no way of getting rid of the current one.
-- Edited by Dougwe on Monday 29th of October 2018 03:47:22 PM
Here I is Radar. Been away for two days on a little trip.
Yes it is for security if you think that way, my way of thinking is the theif can see in though all the canopy windows, break and enter in very quickly. There goes the portable frig.
My tool bag about $140 to replace and they are serious old mostly rusty unuse second hand tools, all the good tools are at home.
Apart from those couple items I guess I would not get to upset if a theif had go but what I will get really upset is if I end up in court facing a small overload charge.
Good Luck.
thanks Dougwe. Your reply has been a great help. We have a BT50 with alumin. canopy and wouldn't do without the easy access. Ta
Kim