[Flyingmada]

I’ve had my ‘17 diesel Colorado for almost 2 years and love it but have finally reached a point that idk if she can handle.

Im planning a long road trip out west through Yellowstone and other national parks. I’d like to take my motorcycle and camper but not sure if she’s up for the job. I think I’m technically under max payload but by a small margin. I’m most concerned about driving through mountains with this much weight. Has anyone has experience with similar loads?

motorcycle: 480 lbs wet
Camper: 2,500 lbs dry
Hitch weight: 365 lbs dry
Passengers & cargo: 400 lbs
I do plan on using a weight distribution hitch.

I also have a 5’ bed and my motorcycle’s rear wheel rests on the center of the tailgate - so somewhat concerned about the tailgate holding as well.

thanks for any insight you have!

 

[Flyingmada]

Also I guess I should mention it’s a 4x4 Z71 short bed

 

[DurmaxPowderHound]

I just ran your numbers. You’re on the upper end for gross vehicle weight, but you should be fine as long as you’re mindful of that. One thing I’d recommend with your overall load is overload springs. They’ll help keep your truck pretty level.

 

[bigoilbob]

I just ran your numbers. You’re on the upper end for gross vehicle weight, but you should be fine as long as you’re mindful of that. One thing I’d recommend with your overall load is overload springs. They’ll help keep your truck pretty level.

My $0.02, I think he'll be ok without overload springs, with the WDH. The combo of the WDH, the human weight and the motorcycle weight will keep his lights pointed down the road. Just needs to make sure the e brakes (which I assume he has) are adjusted in the Home Depot lot the night before....

 

[Mtnminor51]

also have a 5’ bed and my motorcycle’s rear wheel rests on the center of the tailgate - so somewhat concerned about the tailgate holding as well.

thanks for any insight you have!

Will your tailgate clear the trailer swivel jack? Mine won't, but I guess that depends on your trailer. They make longer ball mounts as well. I've had my '17 Z71 since March of '17 and have driven it to Wyoming and Montana the past two summers. It performed nicely but I only had it packed with two bicycles and camping gear (about 450 lbs.) I hauled our 2700 lb. trailer and gear to Whidbey Island and back from Northern California. Tranny fluid got up to about 220 deg in the heat going over the Siskiyous. When I slowed to a tractor-trailer pace is cooled off some. The truck and trailer weighed in at 8955 lbs. You should be fine.

 

[ridenm505]

One thing to check is if you need the tailgate down, check clearance to the front of the trailer, especially making sharp turns left or right. As Mtnminor51 suggests, the height of the trailer jack is critical also if you have the tailgate down..

 

[Flyingmada]

Good points on the tailgate clearance. It doesn’t clear unfortunately so I’ve come up with two options.

1) Cut the stand jack to make it short enough so that there is clearance and then use a wood block/foot to make up for the lost height.

2) Remove the tailgate and drill in a metal rail for the rear tire to rest on.