Colorado\Canyon Towing 21

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by Lawrence

I was hoping to make it clear that it's not a 'jake brake' form of exhaust braking, in which exhaust valves are opened/closed. It's not that noisy, which is a good thing :-)

I agree that's an important distinction. A 'jake brake' (or Jacobs brake) is a compression-release braking system, and shouldn't be called an exhaust brake... but people do.

None of the pickup truck engines have a compression-release brake... fortunately!

[stephen99]

Originally Posted by Lawrence

I have a 2016 Canyon diesel, 4WD longbox crewcab, and a 2006 25B17.5 Bigfoot (OK, not an Escape, but at least molded fiberglass :-) ). Like all 2500 series Bigfoots, our trailer is no lightweight. I haven't weighed it, but I'd guess 3800lbs dry based on similar trailers that have been weighed. The tanks are usually at least partly full when towing, as we frequently remote camp. The Bigfoot is a full 8' wide, which I believe is comparable to the largest Escapes, and is raised 4" for back road use. So, it has a fair bit of frontal area. We have an Equalizer hitch, transferred from our previous tug, a 2013 Ram 1500 quadcab.

We just returned from a trip from Nova Scotia to northern B.C. and back, totalling 16,000km of towing. Three adults (totalling 450lb) and one 60lb lab on board. We carried a couple hundred pounds of upright bicycles and luggage in the box. The truck has ~1400lb payload capacity (not including driver), giving sufficient leeway for the Bigfoot's tongue weight.

Thanks, Lawrence. Excellent review. I am sure now that this is the right choice for me. Heading to the dealership this evening to close the deal.

[cpaharley2008]

As far as service, just about any truck stop will have diesel mechanics, my Jeep Liberty CRD was fixed at one to allow me to make it home, another 500 miles, where my dealer then replaced the hose used with a factory hose.

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by JPSpins

I cannot find info on using the diesel brake in my manual. By how much does the vehicle slow down when you tap the brake? Does the computer adjust things based on what it feels is adequate speed? Or what?

The exhaust brake has a section (page 46) in the diesel supplement, not the main owner's manual. That supplement covers both the Colorado/Canyon Duramax 2.8 and the completely unrelated engine in the Silverado/Sierra Duramax, so only the "4-cylinder pickup" parts are relevant.

Among other things, the supplement notes:

Use of the exhaust brake will help maintain vehicle speed when used with cruise control.

This is what I would expect: if you have cruise control set, the exhaust brake (if activated by using tow/haul mode) will be controlled to hold the truck's speed at that setting.

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

As far as service, just about any truck stop will have diesel mechanics...

Sure, but for most parts (even of the engine) it doesn't matter whether it is gas or diesel... and even the most experienced Cummins heavy truck diesel mechanic won't have any Duramax 2.8 parts in stock.

[stephen99]

Wow. Just did it. Ordered my new tow vehicle for our 2017 21. A silver GMC Canyon with the diesel engine.

[Rossue]

Originally Posted by Brian B-P

Sure, but for most parts (even of the engine) it doesn't matter whether it is gas or diesel... and even the most experienced Cummins heavy truck diesel mechanic won't have any Duramax 2.8 parts in stock.

Most of the dealers probably don't either, but usually get them in one day.

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by Rossue

Most of the dealers probably don't either, but usually get them in one day.

That's my experience with Toyota and Mazda, too: there are so many parts to a modern vehicle that there is no way to stock them all (although in a reasonable world routine maintenance items such as oil filters would always be in stock), but after a working day or two and they appear from the regional warehouse.

General diesel repair shops don't seem like they would be much good for the Colorado/Canyon owner, because they would be going to GM dealers to order parts, just like a customer who goes directly to the GM dealer for service.

[AK snowbiker]

Originally Posted by stephen99

Wow. Just did it. Ordered my new tow vehicle for our 2017 21. A silver GMC Canyon with the diesel engine.

Congratulations, I just got back from the dealership looking at the Canyon and I really like what I saw. I’m 6’2” and had plenty of headroom and legroom in the cabin. Even though we are not replacing the old Dodge anytime soon, I am going to be keeping a eye on this truck.

Hopefully there will be a beta tester in the next year or so towing a 5.0 TA. (It might even be me if I can convince the better half that we don’t need a BMW X3 to replace the Fyundai Santa Fe when it dies). Scott

Scott and Lori
I like bikes!

[cpaharley2008]

General diesel repair shops don't seem like they would be much good for the Colorado/Canyon owner, because they would be going to GM dealers to order parts, just like a customer who goes directly to the GM dealer for service.


My point about the truck stop mechanic was of course they did not have any parts for a CRD Liberty, but they managed to make a substitute turbo intake hose out of spare parts. They were able to diagnose the issue and make a temporary fix that got me home 500 miles later. My point being a diesel mechanic can work on just about any diesel. On the other hand when I went to a gas station before the truck stop, they said they could not help me.

[Rossue]

Originally Posted by Old Skool

Good looking mid-size truck.

I want to take one out on a test drive but the better half said “No”. Scott

Scott and Lori
I like bikes!

Congratulations on your test drive
Now if you can just get that hook out you can relax

[AK snowbiker]

Originally Posted by Rossue

Congratulations on your test drive
Now if you can just get that hook out you can relax

Must resist... have not had a car payment since 2005. Scott

Scott and Lori

[JPSpins]

Originally Posted by Brian B-P

The exhaust brake has a section (page 46) in the diesel supplement, not the main owner's manual. That supplement covers both the Colorado/Canyon Duramax 2.8 and the completely unrelated engine in the Silverado/Sierra Duramax, so only the "4-cylinder pickup" parts are relevant.

Among other things, the supplement notes:

This is what I would expect: if you have cruise control set, the exhaust brake (if activated by using tow/haul mode) will be controlled to hold the truck's speed at that setting.

On the Canyon diesel the tow-haul and diesel exhaust are one and the same button...package deal.
I'm curious about what Lawrence is referring to when he taps the brakes.
If GM would invest as much effort explaining this in one place as they do explaining how to check the oil, I would be happy!

[JPSpins]

Originally Posted by JPSpins

On the Canyon diesel the tow-haul and diesel exhaust are one and the same button...package deal.
I'm curious about what Lawrence is referring to when he taps the brakes.
If GM would invest as much effort explaining this in one place as they do explaining how to check the oil, I would be happy!

Found this on GMC Canyon information page.

"Smart exhaust brake details
The Canyon’s integrated, driver-selectable exhaust brake system is based on the system introduced on the 2015 Sierra HD models and uses the compression power of the 2.8L Duramax engine to improve vehicle control and reduce brake pad wear.

When the exhaust brake is engaged in cruise mode, exhaust cruise grade braking helps the cruise control system maintain the desired downhill vehicle speed, keeping the driver from having to apply the brakes and exit cruise control to maintain speed.

When the exhaust brake is engaged in non-cruise mode, the transmission and the exhaust brake deliver the correct amount of braking to assist in vehicle control, regardless of vehicle load. It is a smart system that varies the amount of braking needed for the vehicle, load and grade. The engagement of the system is smooth and quiet, while its performance enhances the driver’s feeling of control."

Much clearer than the manuals.

[Lawrence]

Originally Posted by stephen99

Wow. Just did it. Ordered my new tow vehicle for our 2017 21. A silver GMC Canyon with the diesel engine.

I think you'll love it! I hope it comes soon.

[stephen99]

Originally Posted by Lawrence

I think you'll love it! I hope it comes soon.

I'm hoping for the end of September. The dealership said they won't know for a few days.

[Nrgtic4]

We brought home our 2016 GMC Canyon Duromax Diesel (short bed, crew cab) about two months ago and yesterday ordered a 21' Escape. So far we love it! It tows a somewhat heavy cargo trailer (2700lbs) that my husband uses for his art shows, around town like it's not even there, with just the smallest drop in mileage (Getting 24 miles per gallon towing) I was real nervous driving a truck, but it handles and drives as well as our Honda CR-V (except that it's 33 inches longer :-) We did not buy towing mirrors for it yet since our cargo trailer is only 5' wide, but definitely will before we get our Escape. We just installed a tonneau cover for it that works great. Keeps the truck bed dry, opens and closes easily, locks securely and can be almost completely removed for full access to the truck bed. It is only sold online, and reasonably priced. Peragon Covers. Here's a link to it if interested https://www.peragon.com/videos/?gcli...FQyOaQodel0PEg

[Daubsy]

Originally Posted by Nrgtic4

We brought home our 2016 GMC Canyon Duromax Diesel (short bed, crew cab) about two months ago and yesterday ordered a 21' Escape. So far we love it! It tows a somewhat heavy cargo trailer (2700lbs) that my husband uses for his art shows, around town like it's not even there, with just the smallest drop in mileage (Getting 24 miles per gallon towing) I was real nervous driving a truck, but it handles and drives as well as our Honda CR-V (except that it's 33 inches longer :-) We did not buy towing mirrors for it yet since our cargo trailer is only 5' wide, but definitely will before we get our Escape. We just installed a tonneau cover for it that works great. Keeps the truck bed dry, opens and closes easily, locks securely and can be almost completely removed for full access to the truck bed. It is only sold online, and reasonably priced. Peragon Covers. Here's a link to it if interested https://www.peragon.com/videos/?gcli...FQyOaQodel0PEg

Did you get yours color matched? I have the same tonneau cover on my '15 Collie. I like it, but the installation was a pain. It took me a while to appreciate the push down action to collapse it. Really makes getting into the cargo a snap. But watch out if it's been sitting in the sun for too long!

[Nrgtic4]

Originally Posted by Daubsy

Did you get yours color matched? I have the same tonneau cover on my '15 Collie. I like it, but the installation was a pain. It took me a while to appreciate the push down action to collapse it. Really makes getting into the cargo a snap. But watch out if it's been sitting in the sun for too long!

No need to since black is standard and my new truck is black :-)

[StanLewis]

Several people have made comments or expressed concerns about towing mirrors for the Colorado/Canyon, and the Clearview mirrors out of Australia have been mentioned. Right now, if you want proper towing mirrors for these trucks, this looks like your only choice. I have no idea if or when GM will provide this option, but since they are clearly marketing these vehicles as a lifestyle choice rather than a work truck, I'm not holding my breath. Here is an update on the mirrors.

Clearview will start shipping the mirrors on August 24 at a price of US$435 per pair plus $174 shipping cost to at least most places in the US lower 48 states. Not sure what the deal would be for Canadian customers since their price quote is in US$ and they are asking to be paid in US$ and who knows about shipping. These look like a pretty solid product, and Clearview has good reviews in Australia. I've ordered a pair, and with any luck they'll be here about the same time my new truck arrives, but I won't be reporting on towing with them until we pick up our 21 in March.

There's lots more information here: Tow Mirrors - Chevy Colorado & GMC Canyon if you want to wade through it all (this thread is 275 posts at last count). I've attached a few photos lifted from that thread for your viewing pleasure.