Can a Chevy Colorado Z71 be flat towed?
The short answer is no for four-down flat towing behind an RV. Official guidance from GM and the Chevy Colorado owner’s manuals generally recommend against flat-towing a Colorado Z71 with an automatic transmission. If you plan to tow a Colorado behind an RV, the safer and commonly advised options are a tow dolly or a trailer, with the exact method depending on the year and drivetrain of the vehicle.
Why flat towing is not commonly permitted for the Colorado Z71
Flat towing, or towing with all four wheels on the ground, can put unusual stress on the drivetrain and transfer case of many modern GM vehicles. In particular, the Colorado’s combinations of 4x4 systems and automatic transmissions are not typically approved for four-down towing by the manufacturer. The risk ranges from transmission and transfer‑case wear to lubrication issues when the engine isn’t running. Because specifications can vary by model year and drivetrain, owners are urged to consult the exact owner’s manual for their vehicle to confirm towing restrictions.
Model-year and drivetrain caveats
There are occasional exceptions in the broader family of Colorado variants. Some Colorado models with manual transmissions or certain configurations may have different towing allowances, but these are not the norm for most Z71 models equipped with automatics. Always verify with the specific year’s manual and GM’s official towing guidance before attempting any form of flat towing. If there is any doubt, assume four-down towing is not approved and pursue alternative methods.
Practical options for towing behind an RV
If flat towing isn’t approved for your setup, consider the following towing methods that are commonly recommended by manufacturers and towing professionals:
- Tow with a tow dolly (front wheels on the dolly) so the Colorado’s drive wheels are not rotating the transmission. This is a widely used option for automatics behind RVs, but always confirm compatibility for your year and drivetrain.
- Use a car trailer or enclosed trailer to tow the Colorado completely on a trailer platform. This avoids putting any drivetrain components in a non-running state and is often the simplest way to stay within manufacturer guidelines.
- Consult a professional towing service or RV dealership for model-year–specific recommendations and installation of any required towing equipment or braking systems.
Below is a concise summary of these options and what they entail for safe towing behind an RV.
Key takeaways for towing methods
In practice, the recommended approach is to avoid four-down towing and use a tow dolly or trailer, with attention to weight ratings, braking requirements, and state laws. Always check the exact owner's manual for your Colorado Z71’s year and drivetrain to ensure you follow the official guidance and any required safety equipment or procedures.
Edge cases: manual-transmission Colorado variants
For completeness, there are rare cases where a Colorado with a manual transmission might have different towing allowances. If you own a manual-equipped Colorado, consult the specific year’s manual to determine whether any four-down towing is permitted and under what conditions. In most modern Colorado Z71 configurations, four-down towing remains non-approved, so treat these as exceptions rather than the rule.
Summary
In short, a Chevy Colorado Z71 is not typically approved for flat towing behind an RV. For safe towing, use a tow dolly or trailer, and always refer to the exact model year’s owner’s manual and GM’s official towing guidelines. If in doubt, contact a professional towing service or a Chevrolet dealer to ensure you choose a method that preserves the vehicle’s drivetrain and complies with legal requirements.
