AVALANCHE 2500..Anyone have one?????

DOGMAN · August 28, 2003

I NEED a tow vehicle for my 22foot Airstream. She weighs about 3600lbs loaded ,with a hitch weight of 785. I can't go much longer than a Tahoe bumper to bumper length due to the swing room near my house when I back the trailer in. I have thought about Quadrasteer but thats a seroius NUT to pay every month$$$$$. Is the AVALANCHE much longer than a Tahoe or a short box extended cab? I like the 2500 with the 8.1 & 4.10 gears. Can you get the 6.0 engine? Does anyone out there have a 2500? I only see the 1500s....Thanks

chevy4x4trucks · August 28, 2003

I've got a 1500 and sizewise it's more like a suburban, acutally slightly longer.

Avalanche: 221.6

Suburban: 219.3

Tahoe: 198.8

The avalanche is only available with a 5.3 liter v8 or the 8.1 liter big block.

For some more specs on it visit http://www.chevrolet.com/avalanche or just post them here I'll be glad to answer them.

DOGMAN · August 29, 2003

Are these 2500s not selling well? or not well received by the truck market? I can't find many at the dealers or online? Are there any problems or issues with them? 8.1 & the truck etc...

Greg · August 29, 2003

You may want to consider a Hensley Arrow hitch with whatever vehicle you consider. Better sway control with shorter wheelbase vehicles and tighter turning with any wheelbase.

http://www.hensleymfg.com

Truckman031 · August 29, 2003

Honestly, you don't need a 2500 for 3600 pounds. The 8.1s get alot worse gas mileage around town than the 5.3s. If you get an Avalanche 1500, you can get the 4:10s. Buy what you want, but that is my advice.

Thumper · August 29, 2003

I have the 2500 GAS-a-lanche ....

Better buy stock in an oil company. Treating this truck nice and it gets 7 combination city/highway and 11 straight highway at 65mph with 3.73 gears.

It tows a 10k trailer without trouble and is a very stabile and docile ride. If it weren't for the fuel economy (boy that's a wierd thing to call it) - I would love the truck!

I have about 5300 miles on it and am thinking about trading her in..

DOGMAN · August 29, 2003

What is the Z66 option?

Wingnut · August 29, 2003

The Z66 is a 2wd suspension package.

magragc5 · August 29, 2003

You can find a great deal of info at www.cafcna.com (chevyavalanchefunclub.com). There is a section that deal only with towing. As for the gas mileage, most 2500 users see about 11 city and 15 highway. I have a 1500 Z71 Av, and it tows my 4000lb boat so well, I have to remind myself it is still back there.

Ed

Truckman031 · August 29, 2003

I have the 2500 GAS-a-lanche ....

Better buy stock in an oil company. Treating this truck nice and it gets 7 combination city/highway and 11 straight highway at 65mph with 3.73 gears.

It tows a 10k trailer without trouble and is a very stabile and docile ride. If it weren't for the fuel economy (boy that's a wierd thing to call it) - I would love the truck!

I have about 5300 miles on it and am thinking about trading her in..

What do you want to get?

Thumper · August 30, 2003

I have the 2500 GAS-a-lanche ....

Better buy stock in an oil company. Treating this truck nice and it gets 7 combination city/highway and 11 straight highway at 65mph with 3.73 gears.

It tows a 10k trailer without trouble and is a very stabile and docile ride. If it weren't for the fuel economy (boy that's a wierd thing to call it) - I would love the truck!

I have about 5300 miles on it and am thinking about trading her in..

What do you want to get?

Right now I am test driving a 1500HD with the 6.0 liter engine and Quadrasteer... It's a BLAST and it's getting (according to the onboard display) 11mpg in town which is 4mpg better than my Avalanche.

I am thinking pretty seriously about this truck. It is more truck-bed than I need "all" the time, but the Quadrasteer makes it drive like a compact car.

I am also looking at the D*dge Quad-cab Diesel HO. ABout the same length as the Avalanche. Great towing capacity (I need at least 8500#).

Well - I don't know what I am going to end up with, but I have a feeling that the Avalanche is going to be someone elses baby one of these days...

dogzapper · August 30, 2003

I just sold a 2002 - 2500 Avalanche. It was a super-powerful rig that would pass anything but a gas station. I didn't mind the cladding, though it was getting kinda scabby looking and I would buy a WBH (Without Body Hardware) Avalanche if I were to get one now.

There were two reasons I sold the rig after only 1½-years. First, the Avalanche sucks when it comes to rear vision. I had several near-accidents and was getting to hate the truck. Secondly, I came to the realization that I really didn't need an 8.1 liter engine and the oil-burning and gas-sucking that goes with it.

I bought a 2003 Z-71 Silverado (Obviously half-ton 4X4) and couldn't be more pleased. I can see out the rear and the 5.3 liter engine is all the power I need. The engine gives me 18.5 mpg on the highway and 15 in the city and I have yet to burn a drop of oil.

I love the Silverado Z-71 and absolutely would not go back to the Avalanche.

Steve

Greg · August 31, 2003

... First, the Avalanche sucks when it comes to rear vision.
...

I bought a 2003 Z-71 Silverado (Obviously half-ton 4X4) and couldn't be more pleased. ...

I also have an Av and the lack of rear vision is a PITA. I drove my son's S-10 today and commented to my wife how nice it is to be able to turn my head and see everything around me.

As soon as my youngest son stops going places with us, I'll buy another extended cab truck. I'm not sure if it will be a Silverado or Colorado, though.