thinking of buying a new truck

[RHeckman]

I also posted this question in the "General" section also, I'm thinking of buying  a 2005 chevy colorado 4X4, with an inline 5 cylinder engine, the dealer tells me it'll tow up to a 4000 lb trailer an 9000 lbs over all.

I was just wondering if i'm making a mistake or not, don't forget the price of gas these days?

I'm trading in a 2003 Chevy Avalance 8 cylinder that gets about 12 mpg, vs. the colorado that will get 22 mpg..but my big concern is will it tow my trailer and all my "stuff".

thanks for listening and any comments would be appreciated.

please reply here or e-mail me at: rheck53@yahoo.com

happy camping..bob

[flyfisherman]

Bob - the first question I would ask is do you have to have a 4X4? A two wheel drive can result in better gas mileage, especially when you not towing. Obviously when towing it's just going to cost more, but there are some interesting comparisons with GM's truck engines. My neighbor has a V-6, 2-whl drive, full sized truck (regular cab). On the highway he regularly gets 21/22mpg and also tows a good sized boat which will drop his mileage a bit. But that 4.3 V-6 delivers some respectable torque (260 ft lbs) and I see that's more than the inline 5. Maybe a full sized truck would be better suited for towing your popup.


Fly

[RHeckman]

Bob - the first question I would ask is do you have to have a 4X4? A two wheel drive can result in better gas mileage, especially when you not towing. Obviously when towing it's just going to cost more, but there are some interesting comparisons with GM's truck engines. My neighbor has a V-6, 2-whl drive, full sized truck (regular cab). On the highway he regularly gets 21/22mpg and also tows a good sized boat which will drop his mileage a bit. But that 4.3 V-6 delivers some respectable torque (260 ft lbs) and I see that's more than the inline 5. Maybe a full sized truck would be better suited for towing your popup.


Fly

As I said in my post, I want to trade a 2003 chevy avalance in for this colorado, granted the avalance had more than enough power to pull my pop-up, but I'm getting 12 mpg with it not pulling my pop-up.
I was looking at a 4X4 chevy colorado, i fully undersatnd that it's not an 8 cylinder as my avalance but I got to look at the price of gas these days and the way it looks it's not going to get any better anytime soon.
I live in pennsylvania and sometimes need 4 wheel drive in the winter here.
I guess if i buy the colorado i'll find out, i may be sorry pulling my pop-up, but i won't be sorry when i pull up to the gas pump.
I do all of my camping here in pennsylvania now because of our work schedule, but maybe in the coming years we'll go to other state's.
So maybe the colorado will do for now?

[Havoctec]

The Yuma a 10' box if I remember right, you will feel the trailer is back there with the Colorado, however it will pull it fine.  Just another not do not plan on getting 22 MPG out of the Colorado.  I think the Avalance you are driving is suppose to get around 15 MPG, I know my truck does.  Still 18-20 MPG is better then 12.