The 2012 Chevrolet Colorado Towing Capacity ranges from 2,900 to 6,000 lbs.
These capacities, however, do not apply to every single Chevy Colorado. The towing capacity will vary with three engine options, four trims, and four configurations.
However, the best way to calculate your towing capacity is to do it yourself.
If you need help calculating your own towing capacity read: How is Towing Capacity Calculated? (With Calculator)
The most important information here that will actually assist you in determining your towing capacity is the GCWR. Read on to find these units and compare the towing capacities for the various configurations.
All information in this article was pulled from the 2012 Chevrolet Trailering Guide and the 2012 Chevrolet Colorado Catalog. Please take a look at these at your own leisure for more information.
Though I tried to make this information as accurate as possible, you should always check your manual or contact your local dealer to determine the appropriate towing capacity of your vehicle and necessary equipment.
Engine Options
Three engines are available in the 2012 Colorado. Not all trim levels are available with every type of engine.
The 2.9 L engine is available in all four models, and the 3.6 L engine is available in all except the Base model.
2.9 L 4-Cylinder
The 2.5 L 4-cylinder engine in the 2012 Colorado is the least powerful engine in the family.
It has up to 185 hp.
3.7 L V6
The 3.7 L V6 engine is the middle engine of the family in terms of towing power which generates up to 242 hp.
5.3 L V8 Engine
The 5.3L engine is the largest engine, generating up to 300 hp.
Trim Levels
COLORADO WORK TRUCK AND Z85
- EPA-estimated highway MPG
- 16″ steel wheels
- Bluetooth wireless technology for select phones
- SiriusXM Radio
- OnStar standard
- StabiliTrak electronic Stability Control System with Traction Control
Z71
Notable features of the Z71:
- Z71 Off-Road Suspension Package
- Automatic Locking Rear Differential
- 17″ Chrome-Clad 6-spoke wheels
- On-/Off-Road Tires
Towing Package
There are many packages offered for the 2012 Colorado, but there is only one towing package.
This package is known as the trailering package. This package is available on a variety of Chevrolet models. The Z82 Package includes a trailer hitch platform and may include other trailering equipment.
It includes a trailer hitch and a 7-pin connector.
This package doesn’t have any effect on the GCWR, which means that any 2012 Colorado without a trailer hitch should not exceed a towing capacity of 3500 lbs.
You will see in the next section that there is an additional 3,500 lbs of towing capacity added with the trailering package.
Towing Capacity by Engine
2.9 I-4 VVT
As stated before, the 2.9 L I-4-cylinder engine in the 2012 Chevy Colorado provides the least amount of towing capabilities and only provides 3,500 lbs of towing.
| Towing Capacity (lbs) | |
| Regular Cab 2WD/4WD | 3,400 /3,100 |
| Extended Cab 2WD/4WD | 3,200/2,900 |
| Crew Cab 2WD | 3,000 |
3.7 L I-5 VVT
Without the trailering package, the 3.5 L engine in the 2012 Chevy Colorado can tow up to 5,500 lbs. However, with the trailering package, the towing capacity increases to 7,000 lbs. In both cases, the GCWR is 12,000 lbs.
| Standard GCWR – 12,000 lbs | |
| Regular Cab 2WD 4WD | 4,000 |
| Extended Cab 2WD 4WD | 5,500 |
| Crew Cab 2WD 4WD | 5,500 lbs |
5.3 L V8
Without the trailering package, the 5.3 L engine in the 2012 Chevy Colorado can tow up to 6,000 lbs. However, with the trailering package, the towing capacity increases to 7,000 lbs.
| Standard GCWR – 12,000 lbs | |
| Extended Cab 2WD 4WD | 6,000 |
| Crew Cab 2WD 4WD | 6,000 |
Towing Features
With the limited capabilities of the Colorado, there are also limited towing features. Since it is not designed and marketed as a towing truck, it doesn’t have some of the other bells and whistles that other truck companies have.
The three main available features are the integrated trailer brake controller, a diesel exhaust brake, and an automatic locking rear differential.
Again, these are all available features rather than standard features in the family.
The diesel exhaust brake creates back pressure in the exhaust to slow the vehicle down, which is especially helpful for towing large loads.
The other two features are standard in newer pickup trucks on the market and are nothing to ride home about.
2012 Chevy Colorado Towing Capacity Chart
2012 Chevy Colorado Colors
The 2012 Chevy Colorado comes in 8 colors:
- Black
- Deep Navy
- Aqua Blue Metallic
- Victory Red
- Inferno Orange Metallic
- Dark Gray Metallic
- Sheer Silver Metallic
- Summit White
My personal favorite is black. I think it looks very sleek for the truck design (See below). My second pick is the red. (I’ve always wanted a red car).
Colorado Payload Capacity 2012
There is no information on the ebrochure that discusses the payload capacity of each engine of the Colorado.
The document doesn’t specify in what configuration this may payload is, so you should absolutely make sure you check the payload capacity on your own.
Read: What Does GVWR Mean? GVWR Explained for Trucks and Trailers to learn all about payload capacity and how it is calculated.
To find your GVWR, you can look inside the forward side of the rear door. Here will be a certification and tire label that will list the GVWR in the position shown below.
Conclusion
The 2012 Chevy Colorado can tow up to 6,000 lbs, but this is only with the 5.3L engine. The 2.9L and 3.7L engines can tow only up to 5,500 lbs.
The information here is to be used for comparison purposes, and you should always do your due diligence to calculate your own towing capacity.
Check your owner’s manual to get the GCWR, then calculate the towing capacity.
