1500 Avalanche Towing Report...

[Ed Hahn]

Hi all,

 

I used my Avalanche 1500 to tow my track car, with support equipment, about 250 miles each way to the track and back this past weekend.  Total weight was about 500 lbs in the bed and a trailer weight around 4500-5000 lbs.  I have the 5.3L engine (duh) and the 4.10 final drive.

 

Here's the photo page:http://www.isochronism.com/autos/MADSApril2002

 

In summary, the Avalanche is a machine.  I never felt like I was short of power or of gearing while on the road - and the route I took was over the rolling hills of Virginia, including the somewhat undulating part of US 29 between Charlottesville and Lynchburg.  I never needed to put the tranny in tow/haul mode, either.

 

 

On the way down, I didn't have the car forward enough on the trailer, so I got some sway during some of the downhill segments.  Slowing down and manually applying the trailer brakes damped out the worst.

 

On the way back, I moved the car a bit forward (only a couple inches really), and it made all the difference in the world.  I now know where to put the car on the trailer to avoid sway in the future.

 

The way back was in rain showers, but I never felt any problems.

 

The hardest part was probably putting the trailer back into my storage spot - it requires backing uphill, with a sharp 90 degree turn initially, followed by an immediate 30 degree turn in the opposite direction.  Took some back-and-forth, but I got it done totally solo.  The 4WD is a necessity during this operation, as the truck needs to leave pavement during the last bit.

 

BTW, I definitely recommend anyone looking for a brake controller to get a Tekonsha Prodigy.  Yes, it costs a little more, but the proportional braking with boost control on initial braking made driving on the highway and in town totally worry free.

 

Now I'm looking forward to doing this more often!

 

ed

[01z71]

Glad the Av did good for ya!

[gandolphxx]

Nice write up - sounds like you got it down pat. I drive my 2500 to the track and run it - simpler, but probably not as fast as whatever you had on the trailer.

[HillHound]

Nice photos Ed!  Your car looks good too.

Did you check your mileage after towing the car?

[Ed Hahn]

Nice photos Ed!  Your car looks good too.

Did you check your mileage after towing the car?

Yep - I got around 13 mpg while towing.

 

I was amazed.  

 

ed

[silverado man]

Sounds like you had a fun weekend.

A couple of weeks ago I pulled my buddies, 66 mustang on one of the u-haul auto transports with my 99 rado, I was really amazed at how well it pulled the trailor and car.  I think my mpg was between 12-13, I made up for it on the way home 19 mpg and drove about 120 of the 300 at around 90mph.

[RDSIGN]

Nice report glad to here the machine performed. I am looking forward to hooking up the camper and hitting the road.

   

[Shaners]

I'm glad it worked out well.  That is a nice looking rig/set-up you have.  I also agree on the Tekonsha controllers.  I think they are the best...