Towing a 2108

[Old Navy]

On the top pic, notice that much of the designated cargo storage is cut off, along with batteries, propane, etc. The area designated "heavy" is right where my EMPTY black and gray water tanks are, while the FULL fresh tank is all the way aft, along with my refrigerator, range, microwave, etc... Placing the load over the axles is good, but not how my Minnie was built.

[greenblade]

Can you show me where A Chevy engineer or any truck engineer says you can only tow 85% of towing capacity to be safe. Serious question. Looks like they’re adopting a third-party standard “SAE”.

[backtrack15]

Originally Posted by greenblade

Can you show me where A Chevy engineer or any truck engineer says you can only tow 85% of towing capacity to be safe. Serious question. Looks like they’re adopting a third-party standard “SAE”.

I can’t. As far as I know, you’re good from a “mechanical” point of view as long as you stay under GCVWR, GVWR for both (truck and trailer), all GAWR (truck and trailer), and your receiver/hitch weight limits.

Certainly people have rules-of-thumb that would advise lower values based on personal comfort or risk-tolerance.

[Ron49]

Hi There - what year is your 2108DS

Ron

[KeithB]

Originally Posted by Ron49

Hi There - what year is your 2108DS

Ron

2018

[BigRed]

Originally Posted by greenblade

I ordered a 2306BHS and I have a Colorado V6 with the tow package. I have about 1000 pounds left on the payload when we are all in it but I’m estimating the tongue weight is gonna be more than 700 pounds. You have to add everything that’s loaded in the back of the pickup truck behind the rear axle.

I had a 2106DS which I towed with a Colorado V6 with the factory tow package. I thought it was adequate, until I traveled to Banff. The truck really had to work hard going up the mountain roads, could not at times even do the speed limit. For peace of mind I traded the truck in for a V8 full size Chev.

[KeithB]

So what about the Z2 Deisel? Or any deisel in the mid size. Does that make up for much of the power needed up steep grades? Worth the extra $4000 in a midsize?

[splitley]

I have a 2016 Chevy Colorado with the Duramax diesel and I tow a 2018 2108 Minnie, the 2108 is the 2nd Travel trailer we've pulled with the Chevy, Been all over Colorado to Washington state and have never been slowed to 40 mph, going from Durango to Silverton with 2 major passes and the truck never went over 2800rpms plus I average 16+ mpg, sometimes on flats with a tailwind it'll get 20 mpg, I figure I"m towing 4500lbs +- a few. I'd buy the diesel again in a heartbeat. Just my 2 cents.

[KeithB]

Originally Posted by splitley

I have a 2016 Chevy Colorado with the Duramax diesel and I tow a 2018 2108 Minnie, the 2108 is the 2nd Travel trailer we've pulled with the Chevy, Been all over Colorado to Washington state and have never been slowed to 40 mph, going from Durango to Silverton with 2 major passes and the truck never went over 2800rpms plus I average 16+ mpg, sometimes on flats with a tailwind it'll get 20 mpg, I figure I"m towing 4500lbs +- a few. I'd buy the diesel again in a heartbeat. Just my 2 cents.

I have concluded from this discussion that if I go with a mid size truck for the 2108 that I definitely would want diesel. Too many mixed reviews on anything less. Good endorsement.

[BigRed]

Originally Posted by splitley

I have a 2016 Chevy Colorado with the Duramax diesel and I tow a 2018 2108 Minnie, the 2108 is the 2nd Travel trailer we've pulled with the Chevy, Been all over Colorado to Washington state and have never been slowed to 40 mph, going from Durango to Silverton with 2 major passes and the truck never went over 2800rpms plus I average 16+ mpg, sometimes on flats with a tailwind it'll get 20 mpg, I figure I"m towing 4500lbs +- a few. I'd buy the diesel again in a heartbeat. Just my 2 cents.

I also had a Colorado, however mine was the V6 version. I was towing a 2106DS with it. In the mountain passess I was unable to keep up to the speedlimit, usuall ended up going about 45 mph up the steeper inclines. In frustration I opted to replace the tow vehicle with a full size GM with the V8,

[ScopeDope]

I'm towing a 2019 MM-2108DS with a Nissan Frontier, 4WD, 4-Liter V-6. They make a 3-Liter V-6, this one is 4-Liter with towing package. I'm well under towing and GVW restrictions, measured twice at a scale-measured travel weight of 4,800 pounds with full water. You really must weigh your rig -- weigh it when it's loaded like you use it. Weighing cost $10-12 at Pilot Stores... you gotta know.

My truck is marginal. I have been to Colorado/New Mexico, and it's work. I do get back to 45-50 on those 7-10% grades. Everywhere else, it does the job, but it's not a V-8. I would love to get a F-150, V8, or something a little bigger...it would be easier to pull, for sure. I get 10 mpg... no more, no less. That's just the way it is. With my 19 gallon tank I'm always planning my next stop. I'm a bit of an old geezer, and need frequent rest stops (pronounced bathroom breaks) anyway, but sure wish I had more range. Without the 2108 I get 18 in town, 21 on the road. It's a nice truck, but it's just not enough truck to pull a 2108. That's my honest opinion.

My dream tow vehicle is the 2021 or later Ford-150 Hybrid. It may sound funny, but it ain't. More horsepower, and a lot more torque than the V-8 or the EcoBoost. Check it out. That's what I'm gonna get when I can afford it.

Just sayin' .....