Avalanche owners

DigUout · July 17, 2001

So you're taking a buddy and 2 bikes up in the hills for some riding. You drop the mid gate to fit the bikes in the bed and go. You stop at Walmart on your way out of town to load up on food and drinks. While you and your buddy are in the store, I'm imagining the truck is out in the parking lot with its back wide open (around the bikes) for prying eyes or quick hands. Is that right?

Now you're done riding and heading back home and it starts to rain. Again, with the gate down, are you getting water in the cab of your truck? Your ?K truck?

I've only seen 2 of these things, and they were driving by, so I'm just wondering how some of the features are working out-

Chuggernaut · July 17, 2001

Interesting point you have there, Dig.

I don't own one, (seriously considering it, though), but I'd imagine you could haul the bikes with the midgate up, either by removing the front wheel or by dropping the tailgate, which is rather long compared to standard tailgates. I imagine they have or will soon have a bike rack that will fit over the bed cover that would avoid this situation all together.

If you had to keep the midgate open and rear window out while you're away from the truck, you may have already considered purchasing an alarm system like they make for ragtop Jeeps when the top is off.

Jpshostr · July 18, 2001

Quote: from Chuggernaut on 1:26 pm on July 17, 2001
I don't own one, (seriously considering it, though), but I'd imagine you could haul the bikes with the midgate up, either by removing the front wheel or by dropping the tailgate, which is rather long compared to standard tailgates. I imagine they have or will soon have a bike rack that will fit over the bed cover that would avoid this situation all together.

Wouldn't this just be defeating the whole purpose of the main selling point on this vehicle? This is why I am having trouble seeing how this thing will work. In order to have use of the bed for a large majority of the things that will be hauled the midgate will have to be down. Makes it hard for me to just let my high $$$ new vehicle sit open to the world when I stop by a store or two on the way home from somewhere while hauling something. And while it may not be a problem in the southern climates, do you really expect people to drive around hauling stuff with that midgate down in the middle of January here in the Midwest or northern states? No, that pretty much takes out use of the thing for snowmobiles or stuff of that nature.

My point that I am trying to make here is that for the money this vehicle costs I don't want to be sharing my passenger space with cargo that belongs outside of the cab. Passengers belong inside, cargo outside, the two don't mix well in my mind.

BIG BLUE · July 18, 2001

Jpshostr,

I'm with you on this one. I drove one and did like it more than all the hype and pix. However, even the salesman at the dealership made the comment that with the mid-gate setup "here is a ?k vehicle that loses all your heat in the winter and air in the summer!" He also made the mention that with the mid-gate down and the bed cover on it's still going to be prone to leaks at the tail gate area. I don't know, I need a lot more convincing to even consider the cost of a more "car like" than truck like vehicle, not to mention for that kind of money I could have an HD with an 8.1L and use it like a truck! I sincerely hope you guys that buy these don't have trouble with them and find them to be the best vehicle for the money, I guess I'm not sold on these features just yet.

My .02,

BIG BLUE

CathDoc · July 19, 2001

Let you know in a few days, but mine has a roof rack, so I expect that that is where the bikes will be placed in the scenario you described. The thing does have a lot of lockable storage space inside though, so even if I do have to leave the gate open, I plan on locking relevant things (Sunglasses, radar detecor, etc) away.

gmcblu · July 19, 2001

I was giving the one on the showroom floor the "once-over" and overheard the sales pitch. Salesman said that there would still be leaks at the front of the bed and showed the customer a tray along the front edge of the bed (you can see it if you lift up the seat bottom) that is supposed to catch all the water and drain it from the vehicle. Most beds are tilted towards the front with the natural rake of the vehicle, so I guess that's the main drainage for the entire bed. So what happens when it gets clogged up with mud?

Bear · July 19, 2001

Hey All,

I am new to this forum but have been following this post. I see your point, but for my needs the AV will server me well. I do cabinet making as a hobby and transporting the raw materials and finished products should be something I can do without exposing the interior to the exterior. I have had more problems with a standard pickup when it comes to security. I can load up several board feet of hardwood and keep it locked up. If I need to stop on the way home I can without risk of someone helping themselves. As for transporting the finished items, either a PU or the AV have the same exposure. Plus, this rides a whole lot better than a PU, since it is based on SUB. As far as draining, there is a drain at the midgate, and 4 others in the bed. The manual covers cleaning these out so I don't see that as a problem.

Cheers,

Bear

scottm · July 20, 2001

I have to agree with Bear that the Avalanche will fit some people and not others. It fits really close to what I need in a vehicle so I bought one. But I will be the first one to tell you that it may not be right for you depending on how you use your vehicle.