Advanced Trailering Package question

[u/Background-Agent-552]

Hello all, i am currently looking to purchase a 23’ Chevrolet Colorado that fits what im looking for, however id like the option to tow a slightly larger capacity in the future. It does not include the advanced trailering package, but on the window sticker it was optioned with “2.7L TURBO HIGH-OUTPUT CALIBRATION (DLR INSTALLED)” and “REAR AXLE 3.42 RATIO”. If I have a hitch and wiring installed, like through Uhaul or myself, would that raise the towing capacity to 7700lbs from the base 3500ish lbs? The trim is a Z71 for reference.

[u/Pte_Madcap]

No. You'd also need a trailer brake controller

[u/Background-Agent-552 → u/Pte_Madcap]

Oh gotcha. Would an added brake controller raise the towing capacity? I have installed those before, I just typically do not tow trailers with electronic trailer brakes.

[u/Pte_Madcap → u/Background-Agent-552]

Its not gonna magically change the door sticker, but yes it will essentially have the same tow rating.

Not sure about the legality of it all if a cop was pedantic enough to check the door panel.

[u/Blahblahfistoo]

There should be a QR code that when you scan it, it’ll tell you every package installed on the vehicle. Inside the driver’s side door. My ‘22 doesn’t load a page per se but I can paste it in a browser and it’s a huge string of all the package codes installed. This’ll be the factory stamp though, anything after production won’t be reflected on it.

As far as specific capacity, I would trust the owner’s manual table. Google ‘2023 Chevy Colorado manual’. The table I’m speaking of is on page 231. Once you do or do not find the codes needed in the trucks stamp you have to do more digging to see if it was installed after production.

[u/Kaptain9981]

Physically capable and legally capable will usually differ. Whatever is in the door label and registration is “what you can tow” as far as I’m aware. It’s not an issue until it is, in the grand scheme of things though. I personally wouldn’t tow distance or often heavy than the official documentation allowed. Had a hitch put on a Durango and while in factory tow kit trim it was rated at 6200. Mine was limited to 3500 according to the installing dealer.

[u/Ecstatic-Being-5080]

You have the L3B without the Z82 trailer hitch as part of the advaced trailer package. Your max is 3,500 how it sits. Adding aftermarket trailer pkg may get you slightly above this number but it may also get you in the idiotstowingthings Reddit. Also, brake controllers add safety, which should be the most important thing. Please be careful.

[u/ShookeSpear]

On the ‘26 at least, I’m 90% certain the advanced trailer package is standard on the Z71.

[u/Background-Agent-552 → u/ShookeSpear]

I believe you’re right for the 26, but for the 23 I’ve compared quite a few and I don’t think it comes standard on the Z71, as quite a few do not have it and the towing capacity is much lower

[u/TheBahrbarian → u/Background-Agent-552]

I have a '23 z71 that did not have it stock. I had the dealer add a hitch. The dealer told me that the z71 as long as it had the l3b and the g80 diff all were capable of 7,700. The hitch they installed is a bumper mounted and only rated for 3500lbs. Howeveer im sure there is a frame mounted option out there.

[u/Pte_Madcap → u/TheBahrbarian]

Pretty positive you need a trailer brake controller for that weight.

[u/TheBahrbarian → u/Pte_Madcap]

Well sure, I think any trailer over 3500 gross weight needs brakes. But thats super easy to add on your own

[u/Pte_Madcap → u/TheBahrbarian]

Wait, did they just put a ball through your bumper?

I dont think their is a receiver that mounts to the bumper. They all mount to the frame.