Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks: Any Duramax Colorado feedback yet your pod?

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Any Duramax Colorado feedback yet your pod?

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Forum Name: Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
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URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=11369
Printed Date: 27 Jun 2025 at 10:53am
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Topic: Any Duramax Colorado feedback yet your pod?

Posted By: clickscrazy
Subject: Any Duramax Colorado feedback yet your pod?
Date Posted: 09 Apr 2018 at 7:34am

I haven't met anyone who is actually towing their camper yet. Lots of towing tests online, but I am looking for an actual camper experience in the mountains.

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2018 R-Pod 171
2014 VW Touareg TDI

Replies:

Posted By: lostagain
Date Posted: 09 Apr 2018 at 8:30am

We tow our Pod in the mountains each time we go camping. Just got back from Sly Park CA ... saw another pod there, too. What are you looking for?

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Never leave footprints behind.
Fred & Maria Kearney
Sonoma 167RB
Our Pod 172
2019 Ford F-150 4x4 2.7 EcoBoost

Posted By: GlueGuy
Date Posted: 09 Apr 2018 at 9:50am

Are you talking about the 2.8L Duramax diesel?It "should" have a pretty good tow rating with 360-370 ft-lbs of torque, but I have heard or read any comparisons. Is there a tow package in addition to the base truck?

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bp
2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River
2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost

Posted By: clickscrazy
Date Posted: 09 Apr 2018 at 8:58pm

Yes. The 2.8.

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2018 R-Pod 171
2014 VW Touareg TDI

Posted By: Blender Bob
Date Posted: 10 Apr 2018 at 10:26pm

I have a 2015 Chevy Colorado, Z71, 3.6L v6, 305HP/269lb-ft, w/tow package, while not a diesel, I just did a trip from Denver to Utah. Went over Monarch Pass and did the big climb at the San Rafael Swell (~6%, I-70 Utah) I found that holding uphill 55-60 MPH in manual 3 gear held speeds with no problem. Could go faster but gas mileage change ~8mpg --> ~4mpg -- not worth it. 6% downhill no problem in 3rd gear as I could easily hold speeds 45mph-55mph with very little braking.

One note, heading out, had a full tank of fresh water. A bit of sloshing behind the axel added a small bit of sway near 65mph. Nothing that could not be handled, but was noticeable. Kept things @ no great than 65mph = tire rating on my R-pod 178 HRE.

I would image the diesel version to do similar and better with more torque.

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Bob
2015 Chevy Colorado Z71
2018 178 R-pod Hood River Edition

Posted By: HeyCampers
Date Posted: 25 Jun 2018 at 9:32pm

This is a late reply. We have a 2017 Colorado with the Duramax diesel. We live in the Denver area and generally head over one or two passes to camp in our HRE 178. The truck is a great performer. We went to the west side of Rocky Mountain National Park over Memorial Day (over Berthoud Pass) and up and back the average mpg was 18.9. We recently returned from a 1180 mile trip to the Moab area in Utah. It was hot and high. We drove over Vail Pass and through the Eisenhower Tunnel twice and used the AC extensively. The average for this trip was 18.8 mpg. We’re very happy with the truck.

Posted By: onazip
Date Posted: 26 Jun 2018 at 6:38am

HeyCampers, that is impressive. I am needing an additional vehicle next year due to the boy turning 16. Was considering the Duramax Colorado. Would you mind sharing your average speed while towing? What tires are you on? Do you enjoy it when you are not towing?

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2018 Tundra
2018 176t

Posted By: Subzilla
Date Posted: 26 Jun 2018 at 8:33am

That is really good! Wish a new truck was in the budget!

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Mark
Concord, NC
2017 RP 179 "Podzilla"
2011 Silverado 1500 4X4

Posted By: HeyCampers
Date Posted: 26 Jun 2018 at 12:39pm

The truck is on Goodyear Wrangler 255/65R17 tires, the stock ones that were on it when we bought it. When towing I try to keep the speed below 70 - it is capable of more. Our Interstate speeds range between 60 and 70. The truck is good around town and fits in many places a full size truck won’t, including the garage (it has two single doors). The truck is a crew cab so it has space for gear, a short box with a tonneau cover to keep prying eyes out.

Posted By: Dfershouse
Date Posted: 29 Jun 2018 at 9:04pm

Your question is a few months old, but I didn't see any response.

I have been towing my Rpod with my 2016 Chevy Colorado Duramax for over a year now.

I had a number of "issues" last year with the truck. I believe my truck was one of the early models. Anyway GM placed the wiring harness to close to the muffler and transmission. So last summer when it was very warm, and we were pulling the trailer up some very significant hills, I had issues.

The truck felt like it was "searching" for the right gear, it didn't have sufficient power among a number of other issues.

It took the dealer several tries to find the issue, with the help of GM technical support.

I am happy to report the truck is working great now. I am extremely happy with it. I have over 40,000 miles on the truck, and get about 30 mpg when I am not towing. I get 15 to 17 while towing.

The truck is capable of towing much more than the pod, I highly recommend the Colorado.

Don