Well, I bit the bullet and bought an '08 Extended cab Colorado LT.
5cyl, auto, bucket seats, power conv. package, towing option, full
sized spare, Onstar, the better interior mirror w/ temp, compass and
auto-dimming, locking differential ... I got it 2 days ago and like it
alot. I have some questions ...



First, can you explain the mods that up the gas mileage, thanks.



Second, I have to buy the hitch mount and ball, it's 2 inch square. I
see some have a 2 inch drop, some a 4 inch ... what should I be buying
and why?



Third, (I'm sure there are opinions on this), but I'd like to hear some
banter on break-in driving and do you think I should dump the oil at
2000 miles instead of 3000?



Fourth ... bedliners. I am used to the big plastic-tub 1 piece liners,
but I see there are alot of options now. I kind of want to stay away
from the sprayed liners like Rhino, etc. Suggestions?



Thanks,



-Don

Well, firstly I do "mod"ify they way I drive, which helps greatly.  Ok and as far as parts that I have added to my truck that help with mileage and efficiency are a K&N air filter, a V force muffer, and a tonneau cover to reduce drag, and lastly Mobil 1 full synthetic to reduce temp and friction!.  I hope you enjoy your new Colorado!

I can't really answer your second question, as I have the hitch on my Colorado, but I have seen in various auto parts stores you can get a hitch mount that has three size balls on it!

Third question:  Well I would think it would be based on how hard you drove you new truck, whatever you might have heard try to follow your manufactures guidelines, their usually right.

I have a Linex truck liner in my truck with the over the rim sprayed on the top of the gate and the sides of the truck bed.  It is rather rough, but it seems durable and they sprayed in between the gate and the back lip of the bed too,
so when you get water or other drippings, they'll not be on bear metal. 

I hope this helps! Enjoy your 08 Colorado.. Gosh when will be able to get one....:(

Don

I'm getting 23 MPG on my 05 (63,600 miles) with 3.5 L, auto, 4X4,
stock Z71 tires with no mods except tonneau cover. I commute 98
miles on flat ground, speeds vary from 55 to 80 MPH with short
sections of town driving so it is possible to get 22-23 MPG without
any mods. Many mods will void your warranty and may decrease you
mileage so choose carefully or just wait until you have it broken in
and mileage stabilizes.

The drop on the ball mount is based on how high you truck sits and
the height of the trailer coupler; the hitch drop is what is needed
so the trailer sits level. I found some U-Haul trailers with brakes
sit so high that I had to turn my 2" drop over and use it as a 1
1/2 " rise, then turned it back to move the boat to the new house.
Good thing I saw that before we buried the tool box in the trailer,
needed a big wrench to loosen the nut on the ball. Most trailers
have 2" ball, some very light trailers have 1-7/8" ball. You won't
tow anything with Colorado that needs 2-5/16" ball, that is very
heavy weight class.

Bed liners can be anything from rubber mat to spray-in. I put a
folding tonneau cover on so I can open up the bed or have secure and
dry cargo area, for less money than a spray-in liner. One brand is
hard, one is softer, one is smooth and one is knobby (hard on your
knees) but I don't remember which is which any more.