Sierra Vs. Avalanche

[dogzapper]

I owned a 2003 Avalanche. Now I own a 2010 Sierra, so i feel pretty able to comment.

 

RIDE -- Goes to Avy; very smooth and car like.

TOWING -- Both were fine, but I only tow 4,000 lbs.

 

My 2 biggest complaints on the Avy --

1. Visibility. Impossible to see out that little back window when trying to hook up a trailer. Backing out of the driveway into a street where a bunch of kids may be playing is terrifying, too. Can't see ANYTHING.

2. Cleaning/detailing. So many little things to do on the Avy with the rear panels, mid gate, etc. Just a pain.

 

I put a soft toneau on the 2010 Sierra All-Terrain, and will never, ever consider an Avalanche again. I love my SIERRA!

 

 

EK,

 

Perfectly stated, my friend.

 

Like you, I had an Avalanche (2002) and now drive a 2010 Silverado 1500 4X4 CC/SB LTZ Z-71. I also had a Silverado 2500HD Duramax in between.

 

The Avalanche is based off of the Suburban chassis, so the rife is superb. BUT, as you said, the rear visibility is so bad that it results in a truck that is downright dangerous.

 

I sold my Avalanche for three reasons: The miserable rear visibility, the oil consumption of the 8.1-liter engine was horrible and rapidly getting worse and the rig leaked like a sieve, resulting in a rear carpet that was eternally soaked. No kidding, I commonly had ¼-inch of water in my rear carpet ... plus, of course, the bed itself was constantly full of water because the tonneau panels didn't seal correctly.

 

The Silverado and the Sierra are true trucks. I'll never stray again.

 

Steve

[thecraft]

I have never had any water enter my Avalanche's cab, but I did have a small puddle of water standing in the bed after a heavy storm. I also haven't had any problems with the midgate or window rattling.

 

The saddle bags are just plain awesome. They'll hold TONS of stuff.

Those are great, I will never own another truck that doesn't have those.

 

LOL at all the people who say the Avalanche's bed is useless, especially those who own a CCSB. Sure you could put a tonneau cover on your short-bed, but you don't have a midgate if you need extra length or if you are camping out.

[dogzapper]

Thunderstruck,

 

Actually, I put a Bedslide in mine and it worked wonderfully. I bought the Deluxe model and it was all I could ever ask for.

 

http://www.bedslide.com/

 

I have a Line-X tonneau on my new 2010 Silverado and it's working out quite well. I'm thinking very seriously of ordering a Bedslide for it, as well.

 

Steve

[Wingnut]

I have never had any water enter my Avalanche's cab, but I did have a small puddle of water standing in the bed after a heavy storm. I also haven't had any problems with the midgate or window rattling.

 

The saddle bags are just plain awesome. They'll hold TONS of stuff.

Those are great, I will never own another truck that doesn't have those.

 

LOL at all the people who say the Avalanche's bed is useless, especially those who own a CCSB. Sure you could put a tonneau cover on your short-bed, but you don't have a midgate if you need extra length or if you are camping out.

 

 

I've hit all areas of my truck with high pressure water streams and never gotten any water in the cab.

 

I also don't get the useless bed comments. It's effectively bigger (when needed) than any other truck bed that isn't a long bed. You lose some height up front, but I don't regularly haul two refrigerators at a time, so that hasn't come into play yet. I hauled so much stuff a couple of days ago, the guys at the donation center were trying to figure out where I kept getting all the boxes from. "That bed isn't that big, where are you getting all this stuff?"

 

Oh, and it was raining, and not one of the boxes had a spot of wetness on them.

[mudeater]

I like the Avalanche always have. I've never had one because price wise buying new I get a lot more features in the truck for less money. Complaints about the bed size that's why they make trailers.

[Royal Vader]

Gotta chime in here.

I went the other way. Traded an '06 GMC Sierra 1500 ECSB for the 2008 Avalanche LTZ.

 

Rear visibility - about the same. Good use of side mirrors is a must. I had an Extang folding cover on the GMC - Couldn't see near the rear with it. Now to be fair, the Avalanche has a backup camera Passenger side blind spot from the sail panels - worse than the ECSB, but CCSB may not be too different. Certainly if you run a bed cap topper, then it would be worse - more like a regular Suburban/Yukon XL.

 

Hauling - This really falls in favor of the Avalanche - you cant put ANY 8' long item in a CCSB and keep it covered, dry and out of sight. I can haul 4x8 panels of sheetrock and 2x4's with the midgate down, the bed covers on AND the tailgait closed. The wifey still can ride along. Plus on nice days, you put down all 4 windows, take out the rear window, drop the midgate and the tailgate, open the sunroof and you feel like you are in a convertible (sort of) for a different kind of hauling . With the midgate up, you have a 5' bed that is covered. Hauling small stuff that you don't want in the cab is the same as the CCSB, plus the tailgate locks with the doors - standard. You also have the side panels that you can put small stuff in - jacks, bungies and hitch bars, and they are lockable too.

 

Ride - I liked the truck ride until I drove the Avalanche - no comparison - Smoooth, especially with the autoride on the LTZ. On long trips you will thank the 4 link and coil springs. Maybe the GMT 900 platform is a little more refined than the GMT800.

 

Towing - the pickup has a higher max towing capability. I tow a 6000 lb boat and trailer. My '06 GMC and the Avalanche are about the same. If you are towing regularly to the 1/2 ton's max GCVWR, then you need a bigger truck. The 5.3 does just fine on both vehicles.

 

Performance - The Avalanche is a heavy beast - 6000+ lb - at least 500 lb more than a CCSB, so it loses in a drag race.

 

Water leaks - I have never had any water in the cab - even after heavy rains and car washes. I have had some small wet spots on the floor of the bed, but that was because the rubber seals between the bed panels were dusty (my fault) and didn't seal right.

 

As a GM fan, you can't really go wrong with either truck - they are all good. My son (GMGuy84) on here drives an '05 Silverado ECSB 4x4 and it's great.

 

OK - there's my $0.05

[Matthias]

comes with a locker, different shocks, lower tow rating i think though but dont quote me on that part

 

I think you´re wrong my freind...every GMT900 truck does have the G80 locker...AFAIK

[iscsidude]

I think I would go with the Sierra.

 

That is, unless you want to belong to this club.

[michigansilver03]

Boy am I used to these type of post which is better it depends on what functions are important to you. I'm a 2500 Avalanche owner and I bought mine for one reason I could put a 4x8 sheet of plywood or sheetrock in it and slam the tailgate shut, I got over the looks issue the day I found that out it could do this. Very true the GMC and Silvy are a heavier duty truck and the AV is a chopped Suburban (people hauler). It depends on what you want of the truck, lots of friend upgraded to 2500 HD from the 2500 to satify their hauling needs and given up the AV softer ride so it depends on your needs.

 

But they are both greats truck

[Wingnut]

I think I would go with the Sierra.

 

That is, unless you want to belong to this club.

 

That list is negated by the sheer numbers of Avalanches on the road.

[bugmenot]

Gotta chime in here.

I went the other way. Traded an '06 GMC Sierra 1500 ECSB for the 2008 Avalanche LTZ.

 

Rear visibility - about the same. Good use of side mirrors is a must. I had an Extang folding cover on the GMC - Couldn't see near the rear with it. Now to be fair, the Avalanche has a backup camera Passenger side blind spot from the sail panels - worse than the ECSB, but CCSB may not be too different. Certainly if you run a bed cap topper, then it would be worse - more like a regular Suburban/Yukon XL.

 

Hauling - This really falls in favor of the Avalanche - you cant put ANY 8' long item in a CCSB and keep it covered, dry and out of sight. I can haul 4x8 panels of sheetrock and 2x4's with the midgate down, the bed covers on AND the tailgait closed. The wifey still can ride along. Plus on nice days, you put down all 4 windows, take out the rear window, drop the midgate and the tailgate, open the sunroof and you feel like you are in a convertible (sort of) for a different kind of hauling . With the midgate up, you have a 5' bed that is covered. Hauling small stuff that you don't want in the cab is the same as the CCSB, plus the tailgate locks with the doors - standard. You also have the side panels that you can put small stuff in - jacks, bungies and hitch bars, and they are lockable too.

 

Ride - I liked the truck ride until I drove the Avalanche - no comparison - Smoooth, especially with the autoride on the LTZ. On long trips you will thank the 4 link and coil springs. Maybe the GMT 900 platform is a little more refined than the GMT800.

 

Towing - the pickup has a higher max towing capability. I tow a 6000 lb boat and trailer. My '06 GMC and the Avalanche are about the same. If you are towing regularly to the 1/2 ton's max GCVWR, then you need a bigger truck. The 5.3 does just fine on both vehicles.

 

Performance - The Avalanche is a heavy beast - 6000+ lb - at least 500 lb more than a CCSB, so it loses in a drag race.

 

Water leaks - I have never had any water in the cab - even after heavy rains and car washes. I have had some small wet spots on the floor of the bed, but that was because the rubber seals between the bed panels were dusty (my fault) and didn't seal right.

 

As a GM fan, you can't really go wrong with either truck - they are all good. My son (GMGuy84) on here drives an '05 Silverado ECSB 4x4 and it's great.

 

OK - there's my $0.05

I will have to go over to the dark side with Lord Vader and vote for the Avalanche on this one but I do think Vader's Avy should be a black one.

[Royal Vader]

Gotta chime in here.

I went the other way. Traded an '06 GMC Sierra 1500 ECSB for the 2008 Avalanche LTZ.

 

Rear visibility - about the same. Good use of side mirrors is a must. I had an Extang folding cover on the GMC - Couldn't see near the rear with it. Now to be fair, the Avalanche has a backup camera Passenger side blind spot from the sail panels - worse than the ECSB, but CCSB may not be too different. Certainly if you run a bed cap topper, then it would be worse - more like a regular Suburban/Yukon XL.

 

Hauling - This really falls in favor of the Avalanche - you cant put ANY 8' long item in a CCSB and keep it covered, dry and out of sight. I can haul 4x8 panels of sheetrock and 2x4's with the midgate down, the bed covers on AND the tailgait closed. The wifey still can ride along. Plus on nice days, you put down all 4 windows, take out the rear window, drop the midgate and the tailgate, open the sunroof and you feel like you are in a convertible (sort of) for a different kind of hauling . With the midgate up, you have a 5' bed that is covered. Hauling small stuff that you don't want in the cab is the same as the CCSB, plus the tailgate locks with the doors - standard. You also have the side panels that you can put small stuff in - jacks, bungies and hitch bars, and they are lockable too.

 

Ride - I liked the truck ride until I drove the Avalanche - no comparison - Smoooth, especially with the autoride on the LTZ. On long trips you will thank the 4 link and coil springs. Maybe the GMT 900 platform is a little more refined than the GMT800.

 

Towing - the pickup has a higher max towing capability. I tow a 6000 lb boat and trailer. My '06 GMC and the Avalanche are about the same. If you are towing regularly to the 1/2 ton's max GCVWR, then you need a bigger truck. The 5.3 does just fine on both vehicles.

 

Performance - The Avalanche is a heavy beast - 6000+ lb - at least 500 lb more than a CCSB, so it loses in a drag race.

 

Water leaks - I have never had any water in the cab - even after heavy rains and car washes. I have had some small wet spots on the floor of the bed, but that was because the rubber seals between the bed panels were dusty (my fault) and didn't seal right.

 

As a GM fan, you can't really go wrong with either truck - they are all good. My son (GMGuy84) on here drives an '05 Silverado ECSB 4x4 and it's great.

 

OK - there's my $0.05

I will have to go over to the dark side with Lord Vader and vote for the Avalanche on this one but I do think Vader's Avy should be a black one.

 

 

Yes, it should be black - and flat black at that! ......and welcome to the dark side - you have done well (insert breathing sound)

[greatgab]

I went with the Avalanche to cover all bases...

 

Work - I need a lockable/waterproof (no leaks yet) EIGHT foot bed.

Play - My family (of five) LOVES the smooth ride and rear seat DVD.

Home - I am able to park in a tract-home sized garage with room to spare (try that with a CCLB).

Summer - Great towing manners (boat or toy trailer) and lockable storage for wet/dirty stuff and gear.

Winter - Excellent off-road, snow and ice ability with 4x4 Z71 package... a must for family ski trips to Tahoe!

[00Silverado4x4]

Sierra what I got, Avalanche is what i couldn't afford...that's all the difference for me, although I would hope that in the last year you've already decided & bought what you desired.

[00Silverado4x4]

...and to the guy who voted one star on this thread...

 

Everyone's allowed to ask other's opinions.