A big little pickup truck. Chevy Colorado Trail Boss.
Discussion
Just picked this up last night, brand new off the lot. This is a mid-size truck here in Canada, but all things considered it’s quite a large vehicle. Plans are to install a camper canopy from Topo Toppers and enjoy as an overland type vehicle, plus rent it out to make some money.
More updates to come as I build it out.
More updates to come as I build it out.
Took it out for a drive into the mountains around Squamish yesterday. Nothing gnarly, but I'm impressed at how comfortable and easy to drive this thing is for long periods of time. 5 or 6 hours of driving usually leaves me feeling pretty sore, but I'm happy to report that I felt pretty good yesterday.
Yeah the styling isn’t for everyone and personally I’m on the fence. I’m going to remove the air dam and fit a skid plate for a little off road protection and that should clean up the front end looks a bit.
For those that don’t know, the Trail Boss is the bare bones off road spec. They take the WT (work truck) with fairly spartan interior and front end, lift it 2”, widen the stance, add bigger 32” tires and an automatic locking rear diff (as well as a proper low range transfer case) and some clever off-road driving assists like ‘terrain mode’ and hill descent control. The result is something relatively affordable with decent off road credentials. To me it was the obvious choice for a well-priced off road vehicle with lower interest rates than other more popular choices.
Engine is a 2.7L turbo 4cyl mated to an 8sp slush box. It’s not great on fuel, particularly around town, but not bad on a long run.
It misses out on all the fancy spec options of the ZR2, like heated seats, rock sliders, LED lights, fancy dampers etc., but I’m okay with that. I picked up a set of rock sliders on the cheap and plan to fit some LED fogs, some Falken Wildpeaks, and a skid plate kit and that’s it for actual truck mods.
Camper additions are coming in the new year, and I’m very excited for that. Stay tuned.
For those that don’t know, the Trail Boss is the bare bones off road spec. They take the WT (work truck) with fairly spartan interior and front end, lift it 2”, widen the stance, add bigger 32” tires and an automatic locking rear diff (as well as a proper low range transfer case) and some clever off-road driving assists like ‘terrain mode’ and hill descent control. The result is something relatively affordable with decent off road credentials. To me it was the obvious choice for a well-priced off road vehicle with lower interest rates than other more popular choices.
Engine is a 2.7L turbo 4cyl mated to an 8sp slush box. It’s not great on fuel, particularly around town, but not bad on a long run.
It misses out on all the fancy spec options of the ZR2, like heated seats, rock sliders, LED lights, fancy dampers etc., but I’m okay with that. I picked up a set of rock sliders on the cheap and plan to fit some LED fogs, some Falken Wildpeaks, and a skid plate kit and that’s it for actual truck mods.
Camper additions are coming in the new year, and I’m very excited for that. Stay tuned.
Edited by samj2014 on Tuesday 10th December 16:58
missing the VR6 said:
Cool looking thing, don't need to see any more pics of BC, just makes me want to go back!
Are you the guy who built a small caravan/trailer thingy? Why not just tow that?
Yes, that's me. I love the trailer, but I find it a little limiting in terms of places I can go with it. I'm always worried about whether I can turn around with it down some random narrow road/trail etc., it's also heinously slow going on some of the rougher service roads here since the suspension is not brilliant, and it's quite limiting in terms of approach/departure angles. In short, it's not very fun to drive off road. I'm keeping the trailer (and my Xterra) for now, but this should be a much better tool for getting into the backcountry.Are you the guy who built a small caravan/trailer thingy? Why not just tow that?
Also, cards on the table, this is a money-making venture for me. I'll be renting it out on RV rental platforms, and there's a lot more demand for mid-size truck campers than there is trailers - people just don't want to tow, or don't have the right vehicle.
Edited by samj2014 on Wednesday 11th December 20:29
samj2014 said:
Yes, that's me. I love the trailer, but I find it a little limiting in terms of places I can go with it. I'm always worried about whether I can turn around with it down some random narrow road/trail etc., it's also heinously slow going on some of the rougher service roads here since the suspension is not brilliant, and it's quite limiting in terms of approach/departure angles. In short, it's not very fun to drive off road. I'm keeping the trailer (and my Xterra) for now, but this should be a much better tool for getting into the backcountry.
Also, cards on the table, this is a money-making venture for me. I'll be renting it out on RV rental platforms, and there's a lot more demand for mid-size truck campers than there is trailers - people just don't want to tow, or don't have the right vehicle.
I can understand that, 2.5 years ago we were torn between a caravan of motorhome/RV and went for a motorhome due to not having to deal with a maneuvering it. Also, cards on the table, this is a money-making venture for me. I'll be renting it out on RV rental platforms, and there's a lot more demand for mid-size truck campers than there is trailers - people just don't want to tow, or don't have the right vehicle.
Edited by samj2014 on Wednesday 11th December 20:29
We rented ours out a few times via a site called Gobooney, worked pretty well.
samj2014 said:
Countdown said:
Nice looking car SamJ.
Out of interest how much would something like that cost is £sterling ?
Thanks - it was $50K CAD. I guess the Isuzu D-max is your closest thing in the UK?Out of interest how much would something like that cost is £sterling ?
I cleaned the garage out yesterday and realized I had all my toys in one place, so I took a photo.
First couple of mods - I removed the air dam from the front end. I’ve got a front skid plate coming soon. I’ll probably paint the tow hooks red while I’m doing that.
Also installed rock sliders. These were a marketplace find for $500. Practically brand new from the older gen Colorado ZR2.
First couple of mods - I removed the air dam from the front end. I’ve got a front skid plate coming soon. I’ll probably paint the tow hooks red while I’m doing that.
Also installed rock sliders. These were a marketplace find for $500. Practically brand new from the older gen Colorado ZR2.
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