Avalanche or 1500 HD

summitXMK · April 11, 2001

Ok so I was wondering what your guys opinion would be. Do you think that there is going to be a 6.0 option for the Avalanche? I am looking for a snowmobile vehicle (sp) I am curretnly only towing 2 sleds. Including trailer probably no more than 1700# no problem for the 5.3. But in the long term I am looking at an enclosed trailer that weighs in at 1400# plus 4 sleds at 500 a piece plus gear. about 4000# I am leaning towards the avalnche based on looks and such. However after a season of having an underpowered truck I would much rather pay for the gas and get a 6000. Do you really think that I need the 6000 or will the 5.3 be enough. I will still have to see the Avalanche in person first, but I am leaning towards the North Face version. If I need the 6.0 and can't get it what do you think of the 1500HD CC. Which of the two would you get. Right now it looks like the price will be about the same.

327Chevy · April 11, 2001

I would assume the 6.0 will be available with the Avalanche since the 8.1 is an option.

Kyle

Zane · April 11, 2001

Quote: from 327Chevy on 2:24 pm on April 11, 2001
I would assume the 6.0 will be available with the Avalanche since the 8.1 is an option.

Kyle

Wow, another Kyle. Glad to have ya!

I'm not sure about the 6.0 becuase i haven't seen anything in any press releases, but i'll keep an eye out for ya. That 8.1 in the Avalanche should haul though!!!

Roofer · April 11, 2001

Personally I would go with the 1500 HD CC. You will have more room for gear in the box or in the cab. It also is more of a pulling truck if you ask me. The towing capacity in the HD is much more than the Avalanche. If you haven't liked an underpowered truck in the past, why take any chances, go with the HD. BTW, the HD is a 2500LD frame and I'm sure alot of the other features are based on the 2500LD also.

Roofer · April 11, 2001

One more thing. Get 4.10 gears no matter which truck you get, you won't regret it.

Kansas Kid · April 11, 2001

Quote: from summitXMK on 12:14 pm on April 11, 2001
Do you really think that I need the 6000 or will the 5.3 be enough.

I think the 5.3 should handle what you are looking at towing pretty easily. That really isn't alot of weight, and if my worn out 350 can handle that much it should be no problem for the 5.3. I would make sure to get 4.10 gears and not be afraid to tow in D if necessary.

Frank S · April 11, 2001

I definitely have to agree with Roofer on this one.Go with the 1500 hd cc.

It will easily satisfy your needs for now as well as in the future if you are going to pull a trailer and weight of the magnitude that you stated plus there won't be much of a gas mileage difference between the two,if any at all.

My biggest like about the 1500 over tha Avalance is that no matter if you want to carry 5 or 6 passengers and need to haul equipment,you still have a 6' bed so you get the best of both worlds IMO.

Shaners · April 12, 2001

Ditto... 1500HD!!! It is more truck like. The Avalanche is a great vehicle, but it is geared towards the person who has the SUV but doesn't want their smelly dog inside!!!

summitXMK · April 12, 2001

Are you kidding my dog wouldn't know what to do if she couldn't hop back and forth between the cab and the bed. Ok so I see lots of votes for the 1500HD cc. But If its like I think it wilbe I can access the bed from the cab with the tonneu cover on we can get to our gear to that we can change while we drive, and the gear won't be cold. . Plus snowmobiling is the only work it will do otherwise it will be a commuter ride. Do you think that they will let me tow a 4 place trailer as a test drive? If you can't tell I would rather get the avalanche. However it sounds like I may have to get the 1500CC.

Shaners · April 12, 2001

I don't believe you can access the bed of the Avalanche with-out having the midgate down. If that is the case then you will not be able to have anyone sitting in the rear seat!!! If you bought the 1500HD and put a cab-high cap on the bed, and a boot between the rear slider of the cab and the front of the cap, you could easily reach into the bed and grab your gear or "road-pops" etc... It would also allow some heat in the bed keeping your gear above freezing, that way your body won't go into shock when you change your clothes.

The 5.3L will tow that trailer of yours... tow rating is around 8000 lbs. It'll be revving pretty high most of the time though. I have a 7000 + lb. travel trailer that I plan on towing once or twice a year with my truck. I have friends that tow enclosed racecar trailers with their 5.3L's and they don't complain.

As far as the test drive while towing, I doubt a dealer will let you try it with an Avalanche for awhile (they will be too high in demand). The 1500 HD is another story. My dealer has had one for a couple of months, and if he thought you'd buy it I think he'd let you ttry it out with your trailer. The biggest problem would be the electric brakes... I'm not sure about that, and the insurance liabilities...

sk · April 12, 2001

I would lean towards the 1500HD. Don't get me wrong -- the Avalanche has alot of cool features. But from what you are telling us I think a crew-cab pickup will suit your needs better.

First of all, the 1500 Avalanche in 4X4 trim runs from ?,000 to ?,000. I haven't spec'd out a 1500HD but I find it hard to believe it would cost that much. Pricing for the North Face Edition hasn't been released yet, but I expect that to come in just over ?,000. You're up around a 2500HD Duramax or a Tahoe or Suburban!

Shaners is right about the Mid-Gate; it would be pretty tough to put the rear seat down if someone is sitting in it. As for the trailer during a test drive -- I would ask the dealer before you go. If they won't let you then find another dealer. If they really want to make you happy they will let you test the vehicle under the conditions you plan to use it for. My local dealer does this regularly without any problems (anyone who is serious enough to bring their trailer to a test drive is probably responsible enough to not beat the vehicle).

Scott

BIG BLUE · April 13, 2001

sk,

Just so you know the price on the 1500HDs is not that much different. I drove a 1500HD, LT version, 6.0L w/3:73 and the sticker was ?,500! Right next to it was a 2500HD CC with the 8.1L/Allison combo for only about ?k more. Guess which one I'd be buying between those two.

BIG BLUE

Kansas Kid · April 16, 2001

I'm still going to stand by my original comments. If 4000 lbs is all you are going to tow, and that won't be a something you do 2-3 times a week why get the 1500HD? There is such a thing as too much truck. The 6.0 will get worse mileage and won't ride as good. Try them both out, and get whichever fits your needs better.