2012 Chevrolet Colorado towing capacity
The 2012 Chevrolet Colorado is published in 16 configurations, with tow ratings ranging from 1,900 to 5,500 lb depending on cab, bed, drivetrain, and hitch class. The peak figure (5,500 lb) sits in mid-size SUV / pickup territory.
The table below lists every trim of the 2012 Chevrolet Colorado with the engine, drivetrain, axle ratio, horsepower, torque, GVWR, curb weight, and payload that go with that trim's headline tow rating. Manufacturers often publish more than one tow figure per truck — a conventional bumper-hitch rating, a weight-distributing rating, and a gooseneck or fifth-wheel rating — so the highest number here is the maximum across all hitch classes the source carries for the trim.
Per-trim breakdown
| Configuration | Engine | HP | Torque | Axle | Tow (lb) | GVWR | Curb | Payload |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Work Truck 4x2 Regular Cab 6 ft. box 111.3 in. WB | — | 185 | 190 | 3.73 | 2,400 | 4,850 | 3,366 | 1,484 |
| LT 4x2 Regular Cab 6 ft. box 111.3 in. WB | — | 185 | 190 | 3.73 | 3,400 | 4,850 | 3,399 | 1,451 |
| 1LT 4x2 Extended Cab 6 ft. box 126 in. WB | — | 185 | 190 | 3.73 | 3,200 | 5,000 | 3,590 | 1,410 |
| Work Truck 4x2 Extended Cab 6 ft. box 126 in. WB | — | 185 | 190 | 3.73 | 2,200 | 5,000 | 3,559 | 1,441 |
| 2LT 4x2 Extended Cab 6 ft. box 126 in. WB | — | 242 | 242 | 3.73 | 5,500 | 5,300 | 3,649 | 1,651 |
| 3LT 4x2 Extended Cab 6 ft. box 126 in. WB | — | 300 | 320 | 3.42 | 4,000 | 5,000 | 3,889 | 1,111 |
| 1LT 4x2 Crew Cab 5 ft. box 126 in. WB | — | 185 | 190 | 3.73 | 3,000 | 5,000 | 3,728 | 1,272 |
| 2LT 4x2 Crew Cab 5 ft. box 126 in. WB | — | 242 | 242 | 3.73 | 5,500 | 5,300 | 3,782 | 1,518 |
| 3LT 4x2 Crew Cab 5 ft. box 126 in. WB | — | 300 | 320 | 3.42 | 3,800 | 5,000 | 4,013 | 987 |
| LT 4x4 Regular Cab 6 ft. box 111.3 in. WB | — | 185 | 190 | 3.73 | 3,100 | 5,150 | 3,718 | 1,432 |
| Work Truck 4x4 Regular Cab 6 ft. box 111.3 in. WB | — | 185 | 190 | 3.73 | 2,100 | 5,150 | 3,684 | 1,466 |
| 1LT 4x4 Extended Cab 6 ft. box 126 in. WB | — | 185 | 190 | 3.73 | 2,900 | 5,300 | 3,911 | 1,389 |
| Work Truck 4x4 Extended Cab 6 ft. box 126 in. WB | — | 185 | 190 | 3.73 | 1,900 | 5,300 | 3,878 | 1,422 |
| 2LT 4x4 Extended Cab 6 ft. box 126 in. WB | — | 242 | 242 | 3.73 | 5,500 | 5,300 | 3,972 | 1,328 |
| 1LT 4x4 Crew Cab 5 ft. box 126 in. WB | — | 242 | 242 | 3.73 | 5,500 | 5,300 | 4,070 | 1,230 |
| 2LT 4x4 Crew Cab 5 ft. box 126 in. WB | — | 242 | 242 | 3.73 | 5,500 | 5,300 | 4,218 | 1,082 |
How to interpret the headline tow figure
Tow ratings at this level are normally achievable with a conventional Class II or Class III receiver hitch. Always verify your vehicle has the manufacturer's tow package installed if you intend to tow at the upper end of the rating, and inspect the door-jamb sticker for the actual maximum permitted on your specific configuration.
How this year compares to 2011
The 2011 Chevrolet Colorado carried a maximum tow rating of 6,000 lb. The 2012 model is rated 500 lb lower — sometimes a real spec change, sometimes a re-test under a stricter standard like SAE J2807. See the 2011 Chevrolet Colorado page for the full per-trim breakdown of the prior year.
Other 2012 Chevrolet models
The rest of Chevrolet's 2012 lineup, ranked by maximum tow rating. Click through for the per-trim breakdown of any of these.
| Model | Max tow (lb) |
|---|---|
| 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 HD Crew CAB | 18,000 |
| 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 HD Extended CAB | 18,000 |
| 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 | 18,000 |
| 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 HD Regular CAB | 16,000 |
| 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 3500hd | 13,000 |
| 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD Crew CAB | 13,000 |
All figures sourced from manufacturer documentation. See our methodology for how the dataset is compiled. Always confirm against your vehicle's door-jamb sticker before towing.