Chevy Colorado 2016 and a 2011 Eagle

[buckland]

Is there any FWC Eagle owners with a new Colorado that might have a photo of the camper on? Would like to see the method you used to raise the camper (the bed rails being so high). The Tacoma has a 16" deep bed. The Colorado has a 21" deep bed. The Eagle is 17.5". FWC said they have to raise the existing design nearly 4" to accommodate the rail height.
I would love to see some photos: side, back, cabover and if you made your own system in the truck bed.

 

[Stan@FourWheel]

Here are a few pictures of a camper built for the Chevy Colorado / GMC Canyon.

This camper was on the delivery trailer headed out to a dealer when I snapped the pics.

We add to the camper base and also notch out in the rear for the rounded lower tail gate corners in those truck beds.

Hope this helps.

Stan

 

[buckland]

I have a plan I think for raising the camper adding 3.875" (allowing for some slide in storage?) but was wondering how close the cabover situation is. I have currently a large space there with the Taco..... installed a storage box and a wind foil. This will probably have to be removed. I am also trying to figure out the radio antennae removal and putting in a new cable to a hood mount..magnet antennae.

 

[buckland]

I put the camper on the Colorado today. This topic overlaps the one on the TRUCK string on the Colorado 2016 diesel. I had a 2001 Tacoma 4 cylinder that struggled up the hills. I wish Toyota had done a diesel (like their Helux) ... I test drove both 2016's and chose the Colorado> I am very happy so far....just back from a nice hill town test-drive. The diesel is quite incredible... I don't even feel the camper there unless going over rough road (I get a slight bounce.... air lifters will be put on this summer) Now..... for all the other folks who are considering buying a Colorado or Canyon diesel, I include all the things I felt needed to be done to make it fit properly and some ideas. The camper as stated above by Stan needed to be raised as the side bed rails are high (the only thing I don't like about the truck). I put in a bed mat (3/8" that basically compresses to 1/4" with camper on it) I Made 5 cross supports that are shown in the photos: I used 2, 39" 2x4's and a piece of 1/2" ply that was 5 1/2" wide. That way the 2x4's could be attached together and then the ply on top allowing the 1" edge to be used to attach it all to the camper. (I used bronze cabinetry screws). The 5th support closest to the tailgate is 44" long... short enough to avoid problems with the curved side rail supports. This last support is 67" from the back wall so that it is flush with the end. The raising of the camper offered an easy install of 2" (you could use 3") rigid insulation. I added 3700 lb 3" quick links to the tie downs.
At the last minute I was nervous about how much the compression was going to be so I added a temporary 3/8" ply for this trial period. ( could have gotten away without it at this point it is a 1/2" over the rails....an 1/8" looks better). This also added another opportunity: There is now an 8 space above the rear bumper below the camper overhang. I welded 2: 1/4" steel brackets that fits over the 2x4 cross supports and comes out 8 " . I can now mount the High Lift Jack there out of the way and bolted with aircraft bolts and a padlock. Fits perfectly across (the photo was taken before the bracket was installed). As with the Tacoma the Eagle left a large space over the cab. I used that space to add a storage box as well as a 4" aluminum wind foil. The Colorado is just an inch higher so it worked out well. I will relocate the whip antennae to the front. (don't really use the satellite radio but that is an easy fix with an extension). One big thing that had to be dealt with was the reluctance on the dealers part to put on the tires we had negotiated would be swapped out.... the passenger tires needed to be credited to a new set of Cooper 245 75 17 AT3 tires. GM was't sure all the electronic gizmos would work but after a test period all was fine ( the speedo has to be tweaked 2 mph +- as the RPM's are different) That said I also found the spare was not worth a dime. I bought another same tire as above and bough an stock aluminum 17" rim ... it fit underneath no problem. (A temporary spare tire is nuts). I will say GM was helpful and even gave me a $500 coupon to buy GM parts as a way of thanking me for my patience (!) ...I immediately ordered another stock GM backup camera, another chipped key, two of each air, oil, fuel filters. The tailgate comes off and the camera is in the handle. There is a handy clip plug behind the license plate. I am in the process of mounting the extra one I bought on a simple bracket. It is a nice thing to have with the camper on. ( You can order that part ($107) and it comes with the wire and GM clip plug...bingo). That's about it so far. This truck has a lot of low end torque. Gets 30 mpg highway so I am hoping for 24+ with camper... diesel is even cheaper than gas here where we live!

 

[buckland]

Wanted to add this side view

 

[Wandering Sagebrush]

Looks pretty doggone nice!

 

[Squatch]

Thanks for sharing.

 

[takesiteasy]

Looks good!

 

[buckland]

Installed the free GM backup camera. It is simply mounted on 2 brass 2" L brackets...then a front plastic cover to make it less appealing to being noticed by the unscrupulous. Easy angle adjustment by bending.

 

[buckland]

What the heck... thought I'd add to the string a bit more as who knows.... there may be another Colorado person about to do the same.
I added Air Lifts today. I had Ride Rites (firestone) on the Tacoma...they were great but not yet available for the 2016 Colorado so I went with the Air Lifts. I will say the install was easier and the product seemed robust. No leaks and off we go... I took the direction's advice and installed the air line valves through the license plate... looks great and easy to get to . I put the camper back on and removed the extra 3/8" ply I put on the supports for safety sake... the camper now sits 3/16" off the rails...good as a mile... so all that was needed was 2 2x4's and a piece of 1/2" ply... lots of deck paint. The last thing I want to do before heading out for a few day getaway in the Adirondacks is .......(any ideas on where to get this?) ...... as I had to remove the screw in antenna mast off the cab.. I am looking for a 3 foot coax cable to screw into where I removed the mast and simply mount the mast on an 'L' bracket off the side of the camper. Any advice appreciated... I have looked all over tarnation.

 

[DSD277]

I added the Air Lift to my Dmax Collie last month with the automatic wireless controller because the truck will be going from one extreme to the other with payloads. I also made another forkliftable riser similar to what I made for my Kestrel on a Silverado... I just need to wait for the dealer to get their new floor model before they'll release mine.

I very much doubt you'll find a coax to fit the antenna threads. I did fit mine with a 3" stubby antenna , in hope the camper won't mess with the reception. Not that it matters, I rarer listen to the radio

 

[buckland]

Ya radio is not that big a deal for me... I have an iPod in the glovebox with a 1000 songs should I need a diversion...on long hauls I like audio books. My question to you is this: My camper is about 1600 lbs when packed for a long trip with wife, dog and beer. How many pounds do you use in the air lifts both when it is empty
(1000) and when it is packed?

 

[DSD277]

I'm in the same boat, have a Ipod and a memory stick, got to love technology...
I have yet to have a load in the back since my forklifting those 3 (340 lb) tires into it. LOL
The Air Lift instructions have a couple of statements for air pressure. One place it refers to ride height, for loaded and then 1 psi for every 40 lbs of load. Pages 13 to 15 in the instructions.
I put the #72000 controller on mine so I can fine tune for the load and the road. When I do get my camper, the psi would be different on mine than yours since I have the SB CC, and the Fleet will have another 12" behind the axle.
I know from my many years of having Rancho 9000 shocks w/ onboard air, the ability to adjust the ride on the fly makes for amazing ride improvement. Unfortunately, 9000 aren't available for the Colorado yet.
Since I haven't tested the Air Lift with a load, I can't help you any more than the manual, but can tell you that when the truck is empty, you do want the psi as low as possible, even with 5psi you will notice a harsher ride over bumps

 

[Stalking Light]

Rule of thumb I have seen for airbags is to adjust the psi until the distance from the center of the wheel to the top of the wheel well is the same front and back.

 

[buckland]

All of the above thanks. I did that on the Firestones... came out to 50 lb. load per pound pressure. Thing is on the Colorado it is higher in back than front....many people buy 2" front lifters to level the truck. All I want is a non bouncy ride (which I am getting now with an un-stocked pre trip weight) at 15 lbs. so I went to 30 lbs. and it seems like I 'Hop" over bumps on dirt road (where I live). As these aren't Ride Rites I am learning new #'s. I am sure it will be as everything else ... seat of the pants knowledge. I must say again though...all else being what it is.... this diesel flies up hill with the camper... I'll actually be able to pass somebody someday!...not sure why I'd do that ... but the power is there if I need it. Just learning a new truck after 15 years with the Taco.... I knew her limitations and that was alright.

 

[DSD277]

Your "hopping" is the reason I'd want to use the Rancho 9000s with onboard control. The Collie's stock shocks may be fine for normal use, but I had found the Ranchos made for instant ride improvement. Great to firm or soften the dampening with road and load variations.
I have them on my JKU without the remote adjustment, and can never seem to get them where I feel good.

 

[Squatch]

Bounce is usually the shocks being overwhelmed. I can't recommend anything for the Colorado as I don't know what's out there. I love my OME but doubt they make one for the Colorado yet. I've never had a Rancho shock that I liked the valving in. I'll never buy another.

I just looked OME doesn't make shocks for any Chevy. At least not in their selector.

But Fox makes 3 for the rear of your truck.
http://www.ridefox.com/filter.php?m...osition=Rear&m=truck&t=shocks&ref=shockfinder


You might check with Bilstien as well.

 

[DSD277]

Exactly, the bounce is the shocks being overwhelm by the increased load. The adjustable Ranchos let you correct for the load and ride.
They worked superbly on my F250 back in the early '90s and my '09 Silverado 2500. My trucks routinely run from completely empty to near max payload, and the onboard air made for instant adjustabilty, without stopping.

 

[buckland]

I will look into the EMU (OME) shocks.... yours are nitro?

 

[Squatch]

I will look into the EMU (OME) shocks.... yours are nitro?

Yes, Mine are Nitrochargers. I sorta lied. Here is the deal. They don't list stuff for Chevy's. But the I'm pretty sure the Isuzu Dmax is the same truck platform only for overseas market. I just looked them up. They make 3 different levels depending on weight ect. Go to this page and use the selector.
Old Man Emu Suspension
Once you've found what you want then call ARB USA and verify that they will fit.
Offroad Accessories for Overlanding - Jeeps, Trucks, SUVs
They should say yes. If so and you can't find a dealer call Independant4x. Good folks. Matt and Jeremy can usually get anything ARB/OME. http://www.independent4x.com/