Avalanche and water intrusion

[dex]

New to the forum and I'm really impressed by the knowledge base here.

 

I too am considering the Av.  It really seems practical for all of my needs.  Two quick questions if any of you proud Av owners have a second.

 

Does the bed (with hard covers installed) stay dry when driving or sitting in hard rain?  I looked at one on the dealer lot yesterday that had water on the floor of the bed and in the midgate area.

 

If you have the covers off and drive through the rain, does water get into the cabin?  The Chevy brochure says something about the Water Management System only working if the covers are on....doesn't make any sense to me.

[chevy4x4trucks]

That was one thing that I don't quite get, if you make it a full size bed, fold down the seat, and remove the window, is the back of the vechicle open to the air??? That's how it looks to me.  B/C if it is what do you do in winter.

[dex]

Well, you can leave the glass in and have a sealed 8 foot bed that's 25" high.  I just don't know if it's water tight or not.  I'm not to concerned about the winter.  Houston is pretty mild, we just get loads of rain.

[pacodiablo]

so far i have not herd ne complaints, but one member said a lot of water got under the hood of his av

[ryr8828]

I have had no problem with water in the bed of my new Av. We had about 5 inches of rain in 2 days here, and when I could finally get to the golf course , my shoes and clubs were dry. Just don't put stuff right up against the bedside and block the water management channels.

[Greg]

I drove about 250 miles total in heavy rain on Sunday and Tuesday here in MI.  I only found a few drops just inside the tailgate, but that may have dripped in as I opened it.

 

I need to call the dealer tomorrow about the rain coming up under the hood.

[dex]

Thanks for the replys.  Sounds like the "water management system" works.  I suspected that it would be okay with the covers on.  Has anyone driven around with the covers off in the rain and seen any water into the cab?  What about with the window installed, midgate down and covers on?  I think that this configuration would work well for hauling long stuff and keeping it protected as long as it's dry.  Sorry for all the questions.  I'd just rather get them answered now instead of after buying one.

 

I'm looking for either a blue or black Z-71 with tan leather and a sunroof.  The dealers have loads of them down here cuz they aren't selling very well.  Don't know why....maybe Texans are just a little slower to catch on.

[ScottS]

Hey Dex

 

There is a channel that runs side to side at the base of the midgate.  If the gate is down, any rain getting into the box is caught by this channel and run off.  I have not run with the covers off to try it, so I am speaking in hypotheticals here.  The balance of the water mgmt. system seems to work as advertised, so I have some faith in the system.

 

Hope this helps

 

Scott