Chevy Avalanche

[CrazyTed]

Anyone buy one of these yet? I'm looking for feedback. I've driven one a few times and want one. Need to sell my wife's old car first. Anyone want a 93 Cutlass Supreme in great shape???

[thumpin]

go for the 2500 with the big block (you need it)

[Spokes]

Can you put a bike in the back? It looked like you'd have to pull a trailer.

I just got a 2002 Chevy Silverado 1500HD, 4X4, Crew Cab with a 6 Liter. It's got plenty of power. A full size back seat. And I can chose between putting a bike in the bed or pulling my enclosed trailer (6 X 10). (or both, 4 riders, 3 bikes in the trailer and 1 in the bed). I also wanted to be able to wash the bed with a power washer.

It's also cheaper then the Avalanche.

[Russ VCHSS]

I would be a little learyl about the way the rear windshield comes out of there like that. You know the way it does in he commercial. I would be afraid of the possibility of running into another car or something and having that thing slice my head off. This is just my opinion after knowing some grousome facts about crashes.

[jeb]

I looked at the Avalanche when I got my new truck. If it had the diesel option, I'd have been a lot more interested. Some of the colors look goofy with the grey plastic but some are okay. Dark green, for instance. Still, looks are a big plus or a big minus here. People either seem to hate the looks or love them although I'm sort of neutral about it. Don't like all the plastic (it's practical, though, since I do a lot of gravel roading) but I do like the uniqueness.

The interior is what I liked. Lots of diferent options and the seats on the one I looked at (some special edition one) were multi colored leather and looked awesome. Also, the sunroof option would be nice to have. The 'convertable' thing is, IMO, by and large a waste. I can't imagine what you'd really do with it open. Plus it was a lot cheaper than the truck I ended up with.

I bought an 01 HD2500 4x4 crew cab shortbox LT with the Duramax Diesel and Allison 5 speed. Awesome truck. I got rid of a 99 3/4ton 4x4 GMC SLT burb with a 454 (7.4l) to get the new one. The max pulls much harder/better and gets WAY better fuel mileage. On the interstate at 10mph over pulling our 19.5'x8.5' Vee nose dual axle tall trailer, it gets 12.5-13.1 compared to the burb's 6.5-7.5. All around town unloaded it gets 17 compared to 9-10 with the 454. It's very quiet for a diesel, too. This is my first oil burner and, so far, I'm very happy with it.

[HiG4s]

All the new Chevy and GMC trucks with the 'Vette style injection system have more power and get much better gas mileage than the older models. I get 19 to 20 everyday driving (50% city) in my 1500 Silverado 270hp 4.8L.

[onionhead]

I know this is an old thread and all, but I've been using my 1500 Avalanche to haul multiple bikes for a year and a few months now.

Works great. I can easily get two dirtbikes in the back. Last week I hauled my sportbike back there too. The side compartments are perfect for storing tie-downs and trailering gear.

The back window thing is awesome. It's nice being able to pull it out, pull back the sunroof, and drop all the windows on those hot days. It's almost like a Jeep that can haul your bike and four passengers.

I don't use the mid-gate thing too often. Maybe once or twice to haul some 4x8 sheets of plywood and lattice from Home Depot.

I'm still neutral about the looks too... but the thing is way too handy.

I've been beating myself up a lot - dreaming about the Silverado SS... but I keep going back and looking at the Avalanche and thinking... "Okay, that truck is gonna need a winter set of tires and wheels. The rocker pannels are going to be sandblasted by spring. Where will I put all my tie-down crap? What about "trunk space" on those rainy days?... etc. etc."

[WBBLUE272]

A friend of mine bought one and he really had problems with the plastic/vinyl on the body fading and changing colors. After you wash the truck you have to go back and armorall everything or it really starts to look bad.

[ktmjim]

The new style panels won't fade as much but a lot of it is due to harsh chemicals getting on the panels. GM is also working on a fix for the fading as we speak. Don't worry about the rear glass, it works slick and is very secure.
As with any vehicle, know what you are towing and don't overload. My Avalanche has a 4.10 gear that pulls real well. Remember, other than the sheetmetal front end, the Avalanche and Suburban are the same except for the rear compartment so the chassis, driveline and components are proven. The Avalanche is one of the most universal vehicles built today. I'm looking to up grade from my 3000lb. tow to a heavier unit and bought an 04 2500 HD. Not as universal as the Avalanche but my first tow was 1000 miles in 2 days to the Alabama HS and it was nice. Passes everything but a gas station.