Towing with a GMC Canyon or Chevy Colorado

Check this out before you trade in for a bigger truck!! When you consider that these new mid-size pickups are basically pre-2010 half tons, it doesn't take as much as you would think to beef them up for better towing versus having to trade up to a $70k+ full size!
Parts used:
Edelbrock supercharger
Boost Auto towing mirrors
Redarc Brake controller
Weight distribution hitch

[@mrfrosty11111]

The best part of making the midsize trucks work is the look on the faces of the F250 guys as you pass them!!

[@jasona9351]

Nice truck. I have the frontier with air bags pulls my 18 camper fine. Remember these mid size trucks are the same size as full size trucks 10 years or less ago.

[@Dumbass_mechanic]

FYI colorados and canyons are identical in size to obs first generation Silverados from 1994 to 1997 or so

[@noahp2430]

This makes me want one even more

[@mitchwinder1204]

Nicely done. I’d tighten up my trans flush & fill interval by at least half. Should be cheap on that truck anyway.

[@benjaminclement4584]

Love your videos man👍🏻

[@tomhitchner6630]

Holy cow. That is a big tow rig. I didn't know you could add a supercharger to the V6. That must have been pricey. Those mirrors are a must have for that big trailer.

[@mrfrosty11111]

It. was. pricey.

[@utahnick]

Damn good looking truck

[@Joe-qw6il]

I’m a Tacoma guy, and I love my truck, but I have to say your truck looks damn good! I’m seriously considering getting one but if I do it will be only for the diesel set-up, want to pull a nice travel trailer, on a Taco you’re pretty much limited to 4000 lbs max even though it shows a 6500 lbs rating

[@mrfrosty11111]

Check out the '23 first!

[@KHudd]

How did the transmission do? I have a 2016 Colorado with the 3.6l. What's the normal trans towing temp? In tow mode mine runs around 200, if I take it out of tow mode it drops to around 174 on flat ground. I'm heading to the mountains of North Georgia and would like to know the normal towing range. Towing 4,000lb.

[@danladiharris]

What weight distribution/sway control hitch do you have?

[@HR-rt9nh]

should have got the Diesel thats what i have, towing 5000 lbs and hardly notice the trailer back there. beef up the brakes, drilled slotted rotors, add additional trans fluid cooler, cause oem is squat. top it off with a AEM air intake for a more pleasant sounding experience. even towed 9k a few times, slowly. lot of dirt-concrete to the dump.

[@woofman4796]

i don't use a sway control hitch on my cargo trailer , i don't drive over 60 mph either when pulling it

[@Supercheeze0123]

Does your $6k on the supercharger include a tune as well? Wondering if a duramax is worth it to increase towing comfort or if the v6 is enough.

[@mrfrosty11111]

yes it did include the tune. For me the large trailer came after the purchase- so I already had the 3.6 and had to either make it work or trade up. Getting the diesel in the first place would have been better overall-- a supercharged 3.6 wants 93 octane which can be a pain. I use 90 + a bottle of octane boost every fill up.

[@PH-fp1oi]

Do you have a level kit installed in front of the truck?

[@dipdinger]

Looked this up because I got a buddy with a oversize truck who was ripping on a Colorado that had tow mirrors and I got a Colorado

[@mrfrosty11111]

Tell him I’ll race him :). Of course I gotta forfeit if the load goes over 8k.

[@noahp2430]

Never understand why people hate on small trucks lol

[@MrOldeastdallas]

Really nice! I have been wanting a small truck but I'm afraid that it will be worthless to tow stuff around.

[@nuts5388]

These things can pull up to like 8k pounds which isn’t nothing

[@juanb86]

Hey Darren, what wheel tire package do you have?

[@hemanquinones9522]

Where were you able to install the Supercharger in Anc? It’s exactly what I’m interested in doing.

[@mrfrosty11111]

I used Auto Kinecht down in Kenai. It was hard to find a shop willing to do it.

[@scottb7470]

Where are you able to fit those mirrors without any modifications?

[@mrfrosty11111]

Boost Auto Mirrors have a direct fit for Colorado/Canyon.

[@j.anderson6322]

Hey I sent you a couple comments but I’m looking at a 2016 gmc all terrain with 80k mikes. After your experience would you go for it or no? How’s the reliability?

[@mrfrosty11111]

I can only speak to mine which was good. I have never owned them out to 80k though. Go to some of the canyon/ colorado owners forums for a ton of answers.

[@VinceBo]

Obviously the truck is sitting lower because of the weight but it looks like your truck has a good stance otherwise. What is your set up, wheels, tires and do you have some sort of lift or level?

[@mrfrosty11111]

I put up a short vid here ---> kzbin.info/www/bejne/Zpy3p6Ofhqieb9k with the set up

[@ricardorodriguez7590]

This is probably a stupid question, but what octane do you have to use? The engine is direct injection, which can use 87 in turbo versions.

[@mrfrosty11111]

Best we got up here is 90. so premium plus octane boost to get to 93.

[@kyree5232]

Where’d you get your lights on the hood and front of grill? I have a colorado btw

[@mrfrosty11111]

amazon. I have had very good luck with Auxbeam

[@MrFrisbypedro]

Any drivetrain or suspension mods?

[@mrfrosty11111]

Not specifically for towing, no. I had thought about re-gearing, but the stock seems to be fine so far, and I am within (barely) the factory recommendation of 7700#s max.

[@commanderthorn3466]

What kind of wheels and tires you got?!

[@mrfrosty11111]

Wheels are stock w 1.5” spacers. Tires are 275/70-18. K02’s.

[@joshpalermo2163]

tire spec? do you have spacers on?

[@mrfrosty11111]

275-70 18. 1.5 inch spacers.

[@gregp6414]

Thanks for posting. Im looking at used diesel versions of this canyon to tow a 28ft toy hauler with a single 650cc bike. The GVRWis 9000ish for the toy hauler but I think it’ll stay closer to 7000lbs loaded, kind of nervous still with being that close to max to cap for these trucks.

[@mrfrosty11111]

Google states Canyon Diesel curb weight is @4500 lbs. (seems low- may have been an RC I looked up) Pulling the load is one thing-- emergency stops are a whole other animal... Don't skimp on that brake controller!!

[@bmmland123]

It is not that the truck can't do it, but it will not hold up long term. The rear end and transmission will fail, which is a fact. Rule I generally follow if I need a 1500, buy a 2500 for longevity if you plan on keeping it. If not, drive like you stole it and trade it in.😂

[@mrfrosty11111]

I understand your thinking, but personally I'd rather have the truck that fits 90% of my needs 100% of the time. I only got close to the max tow limit a handful of times a year, so it worked for me not being the wrong truck the other 360 days having to feed and park a 2500 every time I had to buy milk or whatever. Plus when it was loaded- not gonna lie- it was a lot of fun seeing F250's doing double takes.