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Chevrolet Avalanche
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Comments
Brad in SoCal
I would be afraid the spray in liner would have an impact on the drainage system Chevy has designed in the bed.
Just wash and wax 2-4 times a year and I bet it will not rust!. Thats what I plan on doing. Preventive maintenance is well worth it when it comes to your pain as well as your engine!
I have thrown showels in the back of my truck and my liner has held up fine.
I have not experienced any leaks. Water under the rubber mat is considered "normal". I guess some have expected absolutely none, but they are quite clear that there can be condensation under the mat and in heavy storms or car wash, water can come in but is guided under the mat.
Give Chevy/Gm credit, they have done a heck of a job with this vehicle. The midgate works like a charm. The instruction book can be followed by an impatient idiot like me. The ride is very good. My only fear now is that this will turn into the "got to have car" of all the yup types around me. Well, maybe they will stay away from Sunset Orange
The Avalanche seems like a very solid truck and fit and finish seemed great especially for a first year vehicle. One problem might be looking out the rearview mirror. The truck seems so big in the back it seems as though you could easily not see a car behing you. Anyone who owns one have any problems?
The 2500HD is nice but doesn't have all of the bells and whistles of the Avalanche. Also, I understand there is a problem with the pistons on some of the 6.0 V8s when starting the truck. The dealer said some have the problem with a loud knocking noise during start up and GM is coming out with revised pistons for replacement. Great, but I don't think I want to spend 36-38k on a truck that may or may not need the pistons replaced. The 8.1 V8 is too much engine for my needs and I'm not spending $4,800 for the diesel.
The Av fits my needs and I liked the Z71 they had with the sunroof, leather, etc. The problem is the price, sooo expensive. I usually Smartbuy my vehicles since I only keep them for 2-3 years. The dealer said they didn't have any great Smartbuy deals right now but that could change next week. I like to know if anyone out there did a Smartbuy or lease on their Av and if they got a good deal. Anyway, sorry for the long message and any advice is welcome.
See ya!
cover,4:10, posi, plow prep pkg....
Gold colored (not pewter),2500 alloys..
Sticker $37800............Nice Rig.
Not a majorly BIG deal although I can't see your average owner attempting this procedure without the proper tools.
The Guard fits really nice and the instructions are pretty clear.
The mud flaps are a MUST HAVE!! Not that they do a whole lot but they Look really kewl. They repeat the same Jurassic park pattern that the cladding has. I found it easier to install by 1st removing each tire.
Brad in SoCal
Have any of you done some serious towing with this truck? How did it handle? Any concerns?
Also used the AV last Sunday to pick up a (7) shank ripper that fits our farm tractor. Used a twin axle trailer that weights 1800 lbs and the ripper weighed in around 3700 lbs. The AV towed both in style and comfort. Logged just short of 500 miles (1/2 with empty trailer) to get the ripper and averaged 15 MPG. I've had no concerns towing with this rig. Handles great and seems to have enough power to level the hills. Takes just a touch longer to get to highway speed than I'd like, but I didn't want to go to the 2500 for the larger engine.
Towing - have pulled 4000# - effortless combined with the smooth ride. Limited rear visibility and the tall bed take some getting used to when positoning for hookup.
No leaks! No problems! The ultimate vehicle for me. Probably a keeper till it dies of canceror some other terrible disease. I plan on replacing it in 3 years when I get to 100k but I will keep it for chores and such.
I WANT THE BRUSH GUARD BAD.
Bshefmire where di you buy the mud flaps and how much? How do they install? Drilling etc?
Splashguards 12497727 $25.20
Front molded splash guards with bowtie logo
Splashguards 12497728 $25.20
Rear molded splashguards with bowtie logo
Plus shipping which is about $10.00
Takes about a week to get UPS.
The install is pretty basic> 4 screws for each mud-flap. I found it easier to remove the tires and pre-drill the holes (don't overtighten, just snug em up).
The bug deflector is "really nice" but the install is a bit more involved.
Glad your having fun with your new rig!
Brad in SoCal
I don't think you have anything to worry about there. No self respecting yuppie would buy this ugly beast. You're worried that someone would choose this over say a BMW?
BWAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! Never happen.
BTW, never haul wheat straw and then try and wash it out with a pressure washer!! You would be surprised at how many little places this stuff can get into. Took me over an hour to cleanup that mess. Other than that I love this thing...
Bear
One of the reasons I'd like to buy an Av is because it is different. I don't want to have a vehicle that everyone and their brother has. On the other hand, I'm not sure I want to have people flagging me down so they can check out my truck either!
I laugh at the detractors on this posting. I don't think the Av owners are following the "Computer nerd seeks car guy" thread as a BMW owner might. People are always asking about and complimenting ours. I'm sure most people who don't like the styling are decent and courteous enough to keep their mouth shut and think "to each his own".
Have you driven the Av? I've said it before, the styling is over the top and takes some getting used to - but to use it daily for the purposes for which it was designed - it has been a complete package that I got accustomed to very quickly. It is comfortable, smooth and adaptable.
I was in the market for a new truck, I trade every 2 or 3 years, I looked at the AV, HD's (1500 & 2500)Crew cabs, Dodge's Quad Cab and ford's Super Crew. Mind you at the time I was driving a Super Duty 4x4 Crew Cab, which had enough room for your whole extended family. I test drove them all. (the expense of any of these trucks never was a problem) I wanted something that could pull my boat and let me get into the boat ramps that offer little or very crowded parking after launching. My Super Duty wasn't allowing that. That pretty much eliminated the HD's. I didn't even look at the tundras and that line. I wanted the home grown trucks. It was down to the 02's Quad Cab,AV, SCrew. The dodge was tossed out, very uncomfortable rear seat and very restricted on the options you could buy.
This left the AV & the SCrew. The midgate was the problem to me (my opinion)I figure why add problems for the equation, they both ride great. But the midgate was the deciding factor to go with the SuperCrew. If I want to haul 8 foot pieces, they will stick out a bit and I'll cover the exposed parts with a tarp. I can still carry 6 people while doing this, an AV, I would be limited to 3 at the most. True everybody and his neighbor has a SuperCrew, but you can still personalize it. Sorry for the long post, but I was just wondering why you chose the AV over the rest. 02 SCrew XLT,5.4,FX4 Off-Road Pkg,6cd changer,power Moonroof,A.R.E.Cap,everything except leather, Black/Dark Shadow Grey
Personally, I haven't met anyone who likes the styling. Maybe I just don't hang with the AV type personality but judging by the very small number of them I see on the road I'm guessing I'm not in the minority on this.
Don't mean to ruffle any feathers, just stating my opinion.
BTW-oby, you're completely off base with your assumption. I've never posted under any other name and I don't own an F150.
My decision was simple as I like the versatility and creature comforts the Avalanche provides. I own a home building business and I often need to haul materials from the lumber yard to the job site. In cases when I need to haul some drywall the Av will work extremely well by keeping the material dry in bad weather. Also, I carry 12ft long boards so for me the longer box means the boards don't hang over as much. The storage box also works well for tools and saves room in the bed since a conventional pickup metal storage box eats into the room of a pickup bed. The Av also has plenty of power for my needs. I do not haul any trailers so I didn't feel I needed the 2500HD with the bigger engines. The 5.3 in the Av makes 285hp which is 25hp more than the Ford 5.4. The Z-71 off road package is also nice with the 17" wheel and tire package while providing a smooth ride, something that the 2500HD does not provide. I like a truck I can use for work and also use for comfortable everyday driving. Finally, it came down to the goodies inside. I like the extra room inside and it sure will be nice to have a truck with a sunroof. Again, this is just my opinion but best of luck with your new truck!
Plus I doubt if my friends would allow me to drive a beemer......in my neck of the woods........a B would stick out like a sore thumb. At least the AV wouldn't be the oddball at the local watering hole. We can spit shine our trucks and fit right in at the local Police Ball.
Sure the country girl might like the beamer at first glance, but when the guy behind the wheel won't take her muddin....he will be thrown over for the guy in the truck.........
"I would pick an AV over a bmw ANY day of the week." - To each his/her own I guess.
In my part of the country, I see very few AVs. But then it could be more due to the sticker than to the vehicle.
I am from northwest indiana. I seen about a dozen avs on the indiana state tollroad this past sunday
Ryan
I love the features some of which are 8 way power seats, sunroof, OnStar, Auto AC, locking center console, Alarm, message display, 17" wheels, removable bed panels, grab handles, steps in rear bumper, exterior lock boxes, strong engine, towing capabilities, sound system, midgate, removable rear window, Plastic cladding to protect against road debris, styling, etc.
I could continue but these some of the things I like.
me transport 4 adults in comfort with a separate
location for riding gear,fuel,oil,tools. The only
other vehicle that can meet these needs is a CC
and that would be overkill for what my needs are.
I believe the AV is targeted towards the suv owner
that occasionally needs a pickup box.
Wait a few years they will all look like the Avalanche.
Anyone check out the Cadilac version? I want the BOSE sound system. I wonder how comlicated that would be? I mean just the speakers, sub and head unit I do not want a CD changer.
Anyone actually see the traction control work yet? I wonder how it is.
With the Av, I keep my bowcase in the bed at all times and I can throw in a shotgun or rifle without worrying about it. The Sub or Yukon XL was not a choice since I did not want two dogs in the cab area. I stow my towing and other gear in the storage boxes which keeps the backseat clear and the bed from being cluttered. Fuel economy and power is better than what the '99 F150 had, also.