Towing with a Chevy Avalanche 1500 4x2 - Need some advice

[shaffersh1]

I am new to RVing and am planning on doing some towing with a travel trailer. I need some advice from all of those towing gurus out there... I have spend what seems like and endless amount of time searching for some assurance that I am in the good.

I have a 2003 Avalanche 1500 4x2 with a 3.73 axle and locking diff. I hope to be pulling a travel trailer weighing 4900lbs dry (2004 R-Vision TB27DS). I expect the gross to be around 5500 - 6000 lbs as I don't think I will be carrying around a lot of water or heavy items. Just household stuff and some propane (FYI, the trailer's GVWR is 7693 lbs - well below what I intending on carrying). I will have about 500 lbs worth of flesh (people) in the tow vehicle and maybe an extra 200 lbs worth of stuff in the bed. The trailer's tongue weight is 690 lbs (vehicle is rated to handle 1000 lbs) and I will always be using a properly configured weight distribution hitch with some sway control and obviously trailer brakes.

Is this a sound setup for a well serviced half ton with 150K miles on it? The towing cap is 7200 lbs for my vehicle (with two people in the cab), but I doubt that is realistic (most people agree this is stretching it a bit). Would you recommend air bags? Maybe an aux tranny cooler? I have another vehicle that would handle this, but we really enjoy traveling in our Avalanche!

Remember that the Avalanche is not a truck chassis. It is an SUV with a truck bed. The same chassis as the Suburban. But it is heavy and has a nice 5.3 V8 in it.

Moderate hills here in GA. I will not be traveling at altitude or over any mountain passes... but I am a bit paranoid. I think it stems from the fact that I blew out my dad's transmission when I was 18 and dumb, pulling a trailer full of rocks... could have invested that $3,000...

Thanks! Sol

[Tystevens]

shaffersh1 wrote:
I have a 2003 Avalanche 1500 4x2 with a 3.73 axle and locking diff. I hope to be pulling a travel trailer weighing 4900lbs dry (2004 R-Vision TB27DS).

Is this a sound setup for a well serviced half ton with 150K miles on it? The towing cap is 7200 lbs for my vehicle (with two people in the cab), but I doubt that is realistic (most people agree this is stretching it a bit). Would you recommend air bags? Maybe an aux tranny cooler?

Now that we have the Avalanche's ratings sorted out ...;)

The TT sounds more or less like what we pulled with our '05 Suburban 1500, except our 'Burb had the 4.10 gears. The experience was passable. Didn't move along too quickly, and spent almost all of the time in 3rd gear or lower (and I suspect that w/ 3.73 gears, 4th gear or "d" will be pretty much useless when towing), but we got there and never had any issues. Used a fair amount of gas (8.5 -- 10 mpg), but that is to be expected.

As far as ratings, we were usually at or slightly above the 7200# gvwr when the TT was attached, and had maybe 1000# to 1500# to spare on the combined ratings. It worked for us for a couple years. My opinion -- try it and see. If it doesn't work, you can switch TVs. FWIW, if you're looking to change vehicles, the 6 spd transmission in our '10 makes for a much better towing experience than the '05 provided.

Good luck!

[loulou57]

Apologies to all, all I can say in my defence...brain fog! LOL

Hubby came in and read my post. He of course asked me where I had left my brain. I told him if I knew then I would have found it. As far as the weights etc. My brain was focusing on another truck not the avalanche. A much heavier vehicle that was staring me in the face all day. Anyway, I have been corrected.

Thankfully there are so many on here that give out correct info. And are willing to correct those of us who are obviously in another world some days, LOL

Thanks! We do pull the 27ft along with the boat no problem.

[timjcarter9]

loulou57 wrote:
APT, thanks! ....

Bygum....our towing capacity is over 10,000 lbs. That has all been verified by the ministry of transport for us. Could it be that it is a 4x4 with the tow pkg?

Shaffersh1....sorry for taking over your topic, I was confused about all of this.

Nope - 2012 Avalanche max is 5100 or 8000 lbs. You are thinling of the GCWR.
Clicky

[timjcarter9]

I have about 240k kilometers (160 k miles) on mine. Have 410s so 7900 lbs towing capacity.

You will have no issues with that setup, but try to keep the weight in the bed to a minimum.

Keep it in 3rd with tow haul on and no problem. I always camp in the mountains. I always tow with full water and weigh in at 5200 lbs. I used to tow a 33 foot trail cruiser with no issue either. No problems on big grades. Make sure you have a tranny cooler installed.

Yes - it is a suburban with the back cut off.

[rbtglove]

I pulled a 23' 5k+ TT for 4 years with an 05 AV 1500 4X4 over the Rockies many times without a problem. Revs got a litlle high on the longest steepest grades but never had to stop. Used synthetic oil and installed a trans cooler (some year AVsdidn't come with them even with tow package). Just keep your vehicle in good condition and you should be OK.

[bikendan]

yep, loulou, no way your Avy has that high of a towing capacity.
only way would be the 3/4 ton with the 8.1 engine.
your 5.3 will be around 7500lbs. max. not sure where you're getting numbers of 10,000lbs. or 12,000lbs. but it ain't from the manufacturer.

in 2007, GM introduced the GM900 platform. the Tahoe, Avalanche and Suburban were the first to be built on that platform.
the Silverado and Sierra on the GM900 platform came later, towards the end of the '07 model year.
all since then, are built on the same platform.

my '07 Avy has the 5.3, the 4spd. trans and the 3.73 rear end that comes with the factory tow package.
its towing capacity is 7200lbs.
i tow a HTT with a UVW of 4470lbs. and weighs around 5000lbs. loaded for camping.
i live out West and would NOT tow anything that weighed over 5500lbs. loaded for camping. if i lived in Florida or Iowa, then maybe 6000lbs. but no more than that.

[APT]

The ministry of transport does not set tow ratings. The vehicle manufacturer does. Check your vehicle's owners manual for them. These are different than the receiver limit as well, which may be higher or lower than the vehicle tow rating.

2009+ GM half tons (Avalanche, Burb, Tahoe, Silverado) have GU4 or GU6 (3.08 or 3.42) with the 6-spd trans. Tow ratings for the 5.3L are all under 10k.

Anyway, practically, 5k dry is a reasonable safe limit for RVing. THat will be more like 6k loaded for a long weekend with 700-900 pounds of TW. That is enough weight for the -08 4-spds for acceleration and power, and the 09+ for suspension.

[shaffersh1]

That's OK. No, APT is correct. It is based on an Chevy's 130" wheelbase. Same as the Suburban and Escalade EXT. It has a truck bed and a truck engine (my father in law has the same 5.3 in his Silverado), but the platform is different and handles different when towing. That is one reason why the ride is SO nice in an Avalanche.

Here are the specs across the board...
The 1500 5.3L w/ 3.73 axle 4x2 max towing is 7200#.
The 1500 5.3L w/ 4.10 axle 4x2 is 8200#.
The 1500 5.3L w/ 3.73 axle 4x4 is 7000#.
The 1500 5.3L w/ 4.10 axle 4x4 is 7900#.
The 2500 8.1L w/ 3.73 axle 4x2 is 10200#.
The 2500 8.1L w/ 4.10 axle 4x2 is 12000#.
The 2500 8.1L w/ 3.73 axle 4x4 is 9900#.
The 2500 8.1L w/ 4.10 axle 4x4 is 11900#.
All 1500's have a tongue capacity of 1000#
All 2500's have a tongue capacity of 1500#

If you look at the option codes in the glove compartments, you will find at least one of the following.
GT4 = you have a 3.73 axle
GT5 = you have a 4.10 axle (pretty rare now)
GU6 = you have a 4.42 axle (part of attempt a better MPG)
G80 = you have a locking differential

This all changed in 2007 I believe, when the towing package was dropped as standard equipment and Chevy started focusing on fuel efficiency (FlexFuel, changed to 6-speed from a 4 speed). The capacity specs are different (lower in every case) unless you get a towing package. LouLou57, are you sure you do not have a 2500? I would not take what the dealer says as gospel. I tried to get the specs for my particular

Some readers over at the Chevy Avalanche Fan Club Of North America recommended I installed an aux tranny cooler and maybe an expanded tranny pan. The general consensus is that the spec'd towing capacities are a little too generous. But they seemed to think this setup would be fine. I think it is really up to the manufacturer and how they present the numbers. I have a friend who has a Land Rover LR3 that is spec'd at 7700# max and he has been pulling a 10000# rig all over the western US for years (foolishly, yes) and he tells me it handles like a champ.

It is a shame that the Avalanche will be discontinued in 2013.

Any other thoughts would be GREATLY appreciated!

[loulou57]

APT, thanks! ....

Bygum....our towing capacity is over 10,000 lbs. That has all been verified by the ministry of transport for us. Could it be that it is a 4x4 with the tow pkg?

Shaffersh1....sorry for taking over your topic, I was confused about all of this.

[APT]

It is a truck, pickup, kind of. It has a truck bed. But it is not a separate box, and the frame, chassis are still based on the 130" wheelbase Suburban with independent rear suspension, not 145" WB with leaf springs like a crew cab pickup. The Suburban itself is often referred to as a truck, as it is a traditional body on frame and designed/built more like a truck. The 5.3L V8 is the same/similar to the Silverado/Sierra, as is the transmission and maybe axles. The hood, headlights, etc are Suburban, not Sierra.

Wiki. Classified for licensing by your DMV as a truck. GM may even call it a truck.

[bgum]

LouLou your limit is 8000 lbs. Per the Chevy site.

[loulou57]

I am confused now, LOL it doesn't make sense some days!

Our avalanche is classed as a truck. It is insured as a truck not an SUV. When we go to get service they say it is basically a chevy truck (sierra)with a different dressing. I guess I should question the dealer, LOL....I feel more like myself in a truck.

Anyway....we enjoy towing with the Avalanche. If the weights work out for you then I am sure you will enjoy pulling with it.

[APT]

loulou57 wrote:
The gvwr on trailer is just over 6000 lb. Towing capacity of Avalanche around 12000 lbs.

The avalanche is the exact chassis as a chevy sierra...

No. 7000-8000 pounds is about right. 12000 pounds may be the GCWR with 3.08 axle. Avalanche is based on the Suburban, not Sierra. They are fairly difference frames, chassis. And the 2003 has a 4-spd trans which makes a big difference is towing performance compared to today's 6-spds.

Payload is the problem for the half ton Suburban and Avalanche. shaffersh1 should weigh it first, subtract from GVWR. Then take off the estimated 700 pounds of people and cargo. The rest can be used for trailer TW.

5k dry seems like a good fit. If your truck did not have the HD towing package, then a larger trans cooler is a good idea. Use a WDH with integrated sway control, use Tow/haul mode, lock out overdrive, enjoy.

[loulou57]

We have a 2012 Avalanche 5.3. 4x4 and pull basically the same trailer. 27ft 2011 Monaco light weight. The gvwr on trailer is just over 6000 lb. Towing capacity of Avalanche around 12000 lbs.

The avalanche is the exact chassis as a chevy sierra, it is the same as a truck according to GM and the ministry of transport and plated so. We have a towing pkg on the Avalanche.

We also pull behind the trailer our boat.

As far as your gvwr is concerned dont go by what you think will be the weight after you are loaded. If you are stopped you will be rated on the vehicle (trailer) sticker weight.

Our Avalanche pulls the trailer and boat with no problem. The dealer suggested the red head hitch with equalizer bars and 2 sway bars.