2004-2021 Chevy Colorado Towing Capacities (With Charts)

The Chevy Colorado is a smaller truck made by General Motors and was the replacement for the S-10 so I did not expect it to have much towing capacity attached to it but I was surprised at some of the data I uncovered.

I compiled a list of the different model years for these trucks and gathered information from the owner's manuals in an easy to digest format. I hope it helps!

Overview of the Data For the Colorado:

Engine Choices: There were many different engines used throughout the truck's lifespan and it had a significant impact on some model years but less on others. The 2015-2021 models for example, had two engine options and a maximum capacity of 1,500-3,500 pounds between the two engines.

This was also true for 2004-2012 models, but the charts were more complicated to read and compare and other metrics like the type of transmission, cab style, etc.

Configurations: The Colorado's had many different configurations for model years 2004-2012, which you can see in the charts I have listed below. Things like cab configuration, axle ratio, transmission type and engine options were all variables that affected the capacity numbers.

Tow Capacity: From 2004-2021, these trucks had a wide capacity that ranged from 1,400 pounds and went up to 7,000 pounds! That is a difference of 5,600 pounds and really makes for a huge gap.

The higher capacity numbers I noticed were for models that had the larger engine option (6 or 8 cylinder engine) and that were equipped with an automatic transmission.

I have included information I found on the Colorado's maximum trailer weight capacity via the tow charts, but you should read your manual to find out about all of the other required information that GM posted.

2021-2018 Models:

The 2018-2021 Chevy Colorado's had a towing capacity that ranged from 3,500 pounds on the lower end and double that (7,000 pounds) on the higher end, according to the owner's manuals.

There were three different engine configurations to choose from in the chart that affected the capacity numbers.

The chart for the 2018-2021 models were identical in terms of specs and ratings and is why only the one chart is posted. The GCWR figures are also included into the chart, for more accurate calculating purposes too, which is always nice.

2021-2018 Chart

Step Bumper Hitch Warning

2021-2018 Maximum Tongue Weight

2017-2015 Models:

The 2015-2017 Colorado's had the same capacity range of 3,500 pounds to 7,000 pounds, but the engine options were a bit different when compared to the 2018-2021 models.

The same 2.5L and 3.6L engines were available for 2015, 2016 and 2017 models but the 3.6L (ZR2) engine was not an option.

Figuring out your 2015, 2016 or 2017 model's trailer weight capacity was pretty easy to do because there were really only two options, depending on the engine you had equipped. It was also interesting to note that the maximum tongue weight rating was higher than the 2018-2021 models too.

2017-2015 Chart

2017-2015 Maximum Tongue Weight

For some reason, I couldn't find the 2013 or 2014 owner's manuals for these trucks. If I do, I will update this post ASAP.

2012-2009 Models:

The 2009-2012 charts were getting more complicated than later model years and the data was harder to just browse through too.

The towing capacity for Colorado's made from 2009-2012 ranged from 1,900 pounds - 6,000 pounds.

The charts for the 2009-2012 model years were broken up into two main charts: the top chart was for 2WD models and the lower chart was for 4WD models. Within each chart, the capacities were then divided into the cab style, engine configuration, the type of transmission equipped and axle ratios to determine the maximum trailer weights.

It is also important to mention that the '09-'12 models also had a lower max. tongue weight rating than later model years, coming in at around 500 pounds.

2012 -2009 Chart

2012-2009 Maximum Tongue Weight

When I was conducting my research, I noticed that the 2008-2004 models had slightly different specs when it came to max. capacity and GCWR numbers and is why I separated each model year below.

2008 Models:

If you had a 2008 model Colorado, then you still had that 1,900-6,000 pound maximum tow capacity, like we saw for the '09-'12 models but some of the statistics were slightly different but not by much.

The charts also look different for the 2008 models but are still divided up into sections that make finding your SPECIFIC rating a little easier.

We can still see that the charts are organized by 2WD and 4WD models and then divided further into the specific cab models available, engine option/transmission configuration and what axle ratio you had.

2008 Chart

2007 Models:

The 2007 Colorado's had a slightly lower towing capacity than later model years we looked at already, ranging from 1,900 pounds but going up to only 4,000 pounds instead of the 6k rating we saw.

The 2.9L and 3.7L engines were the only two engine options for these trucks made in 2007, making it a little easier to navigate the charts.

The 2WD models did have slightly higher capacity numbers when compared to the 4WD models with similar cab styles, engines, axle ratios and transmission configurations by about 300 pounds, which is normal for vehicles in general.

2007 Chart

2006 Models:

The 2006 model's had the lowest capacity so far out of all of the other model years we looked at so far, ranging from 1,400 pounds and going all the way up to 4,000 pounds.

There were two engine options available for the '06 Colorados and these were the 2.8L and 3.5L engines, different options from the '07 models.

One thing that did not change was how the charts were organized, having the 2WD models first and then the 4WD models below those. After that, you just need to find the cab style, engine and transmission combination and axle ratio to get your maximum rating.

2006 Chart

2005 Models:

The 2005 models had similar specs to the 2006 models but there were slight differences, yet again.

The towing capacity for the 2005 Colorado's ranged from 1,500 pounds and went up to 4,000 pounds, similar to the '06 models and the same two engines were used: the 2.8L and 3.5L engines.

All of the same items were arranged the same way on the '05 charts as later model years, divided up by the cab style, engine equipped, automatic/manual transmission and axle ratio.

2005 Chart

2004 Models:

Trucks made in 2004 marked the first year they were made, but a lot of the same specs were used as the '05 and '06 model years, including the same engine options.

The towing capacity for the 2004 Colorado's ranged from 1,600-4,000 pounds though, roughly identical to the '05 and '06 models with more slight differences.

You will have to study the charts and find your cab style, engine, transmission and axle ratio though like other model years to get an accurate maximum trailer weight rating, as the engine you had equipped did not signify a greater capacity over the other engine option that was a "clear sign".

2004 Chart

How Do I Find My Axle Ratio?

When looking at the charts in the owner's manuals, you will need to find the axle code for certain model years in order to get the appropriate tow specs. You will need to find your axle code either on your driver's side door jamb and/or inside the glove box, and you should see a three-digit code (RPO Code).

I found a forum post with information on axle codes and other helpful information on some of the other codes you can find and what they mean.

This code will tell you what axle ratio you have in your truck and the four main codes are:

GU6 Rear axle: 3.42 ratio
GT4 Rear axle: 3.73 ratio
GT5 Rear axle: 4.10 ratio
G80 Differential: automatic

The G80 differential is a cool addition to have and this article explains how it works in a very simplified way but was an interesting read nonetheless.

What Cab Style Do I Have?

Some model years for the these truck's capacity depended on what cab style you had and I thought I would give examples of each cab style for those of you out there that are not familiar with what these different cab styles look like.

Regular Cab

Regular Cab: The regular cab is just the smallest interior space that is available for these trucks and it has only two doors with a single row of seating.

This usually results in a shorter wheel base and will usually result in slightly higher capacity limits because of that.

Extended Cab

Extended Cab: The extended cab has the two front doors and a small area behind the front seats, for additional passengers or cargo.

This adds a little more room in the cab and is will extend the wheelbase length a little bit.

Crew Cab

Crew Cab: The crew cab models have the largest cab space out of all of the models and these will have 4 doors that open and close.

These cab styles will have the longest wheelbases, usually.

Resources I Used For This Article:

I used the Colorado's owner's manuals to find all of the charts and other tow related information in this article and wanted to link to them to provide a quick resource for those of you out there that may want to dig a little deeper into other related info.

Last updated on February 12th, 2022 at 04:36 pm