2007 Avalanche Question

woyster_00z71 · June 26, 2007

I know, I know...I still haven't made a formal announcement with pictures, etc. but I purchased a new 2007 Chevrolet Avalanche almost a month ago now. Work has been so hectic that I don't find the time to get on the forum anymore.

Anyway, I thought that the bed area of the Avalanche was supposed to be water tight. I'm not having any problems with the mid-gate, but the bed itself. I have the hard tonneau cover on (visible weather seal) and the tailgate up (visible weather seal around that as well) but I am still getting a lot of water in the bed area. I asked my salesman about it and he said that is why there are drains in the bed. NO...the drains are there for when you wash out the bed or for when you have the tonneau cover off and water gets in the bed. Why would Chevy put so much attention to the weather sealing if it is supposed to leak?

Just wondering if anyone else had the same problem or if mine is leaking and shouldn't (I think this is the case).

Oh yeah, I will formalize my purchase soon...I PROMISE!

fujifilmnut · June 26, 2007

My 2004 and 2006 Avalanche both had the same issue. Our two Escalade EXT, one a 2003 and the other a 2005 did not have any or at least nearly much water in the bed after a rain. It seemed to seal better than either Avalanche. But neither Avalanche had much water, just drops in the rear that came in at the seal between the last panel and the tailgate. Our current Avalanche - 2006 - also has a slight sag in the last panel - came that way from the dealer - about 1/2" drop in the middle of the panel where it meets the tailgate.

mini1 · June 26, 2007

Very common problem. I've seen it on both the Avalanche and EXT. I know a guy who was so fed up with the leaking that he traded the Av for a crew cab shot bed and put a hard LEER tonneau cover on it. He still owns the truck and likes it a whole lot better then the Av. No more leaking.

woyster_00z71 · July 4, 2007

OK, so is this something the dealer will attempt to fix? It is really driving me nuts that it leaks.

frdfandc · July 4, 2007

I don't think the Avalanches are supposed to be water tight. They are similar in design to the Honda Ridgelines which I worked on for 2 years at the Honda dealer. Even with the hard cover, they still got water into them. I'm sure if you looked closely at the corners, you will see drain holes.

mhubbard · July 4, 2007

OK, so is this something the dealer will attempt to fix? It is really driving me nuts that it leaks.

Is their water in the middle of the bed area or just around the edge? I was told if it around the edge about 2 or 3 inches in where you see the edge of the mat that is for the water management system and you might see water their, but if you put your things to the inside of that they will not get wet.

omegafiler · July 4, 2007

Well that sucks... you'd think it'd be water tight. That would likley be a deal breaker for me if I were considering an Avalanche.

outrider · July 5, 2007

I have an '04 Avalanche Z71 and even parked outside in a downpour have had no serious water leakage problems. After a particularly heavy deluge, I did have some drops between the last panel and the tailgate seal. Usually this is the area that any leakage will occur. Make sure your upper drain areas and rubber seal channels are not clogged with leaves or any other debris as this could slow the water down and cause puddling and leaks. The AV's 3 piece cargo cover is not advertised to be "water proof", but in my case comes real close.