4 door vs. Avalanche
Question:
> I really don’t want to open a can-o-worms here, but I’d like to know > what people think are the benefits/downfalls of either a 4 door pickup > or an Avalanche. (please, I don’t need the ‘It’s just f-ing ugly’ kind > of responses) I’m currently trying to come up with > advantages/disadvantages, as I’m in the market for a new (used maybe)
truck. This makes me think of a couple other things that I am considering. I know I am going to go with the Avalanche. I also plan on purchasing a pontoon boat as well. What I am unsure about is do I go with the 1500 or 2500 with the heavy-duty suspension? And do I need the Heavy Duty Trailing Equip option? Can the 1500 handle pulling the boat out of the water etc… and will the ride be the same without the hd suspension? Thanks
Response:
Big question, how bigs the pontoon boat and how heavy is it.
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I really don’t want to open a can-o-worms here, but I’d like to know > what people think are the benefits/downfalls of either a 4 door pickup > or an Avalanche. (please, I don’t need the ‘It’s just f-ing ugly’ kind > of responses) I’m currently trying to come up with > advantages/disadvantages, as I’m in the market for a new (used maybe) > truck. > This makes me think of a couple other things that I am considering. I know I > am going > to go with the Avalanche. I also plan on purchasing a pontoon boat as well. > What I am > unsure about is do I go with the 1500 or 2500 with the heavy-duty > suspension? And do > I need the Heavy Duty Trailing Equip option? Can the 1500 handle pulling the > boat out > of the water etc… and will the ride be the same without the hd suspension? > Thanks
Response:
Unless you’re buying a pontoon boat from military surplus, you should be well within the weight limits of the 1500. (just a joke) I’m pretty sure pontoon boats tend to be on the light side? 4000lbs maybe? HD suspension will ride tighter unloaded, so the ride will ‘not’ be the same. But I’ll have to look closer, cause I don’t remember seeing a suspension option, but then again, I wasn’t looking. If you’re doing ‘any’ long distance towing, I’d opt for the towing package. Small price to pay for ‘insurance’, so to speak, I think. ~chrisd – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->I really don’t want to open a can-o-worms here, but I’d like to know >what people think are the benefits/downfalls of either a 4 door pickup >or an Avalanche. (please, I don’t need the ‘It’s just f-ing ugly’ kind >of responses) I’m currently trying to come up with >advantages/disadvantages, as I’m in the market for a new (used maybe) >truck. >This makes me think of a couple other things that I am considering. I know I >am going >to go with the Avalanche. I also plan on purchasing a pontoon boat as well. >What I am >unsure about is do I go with the 1500 or 2500 with the heavy-duty >suspension? And do >I need the Heavy Duty Trailing Equip option? Can the 1500 handle pulling the >boat out >of the water etc… and will the ride be the same without the hd suspension? >Thanks
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I really don’t want to open a can-o-worms here, but I’d like to know > what people think are the benefits/downfalls of either a 4 door pickup > or an Avalanche. (please, I don’t need the ‘It’s just f-ing ugly’ kind > of responses) I’m currently trying to come up with > advantages/disadvantages, as I’m in the market for a new (used maybe) > truck. > This makes me think of a couple other things that I am considering. I know I > am going > to go with the Avalanche. I also plan on purchasing a pontoon boat as well. > What I am > unsure about is do I go with the 1500 or 2500 with the heavy-duty > suspension? And do > I need the Heavy Duty Trailing Equip option? Can the 1500 handle pulling the > boat out > of the water etc… and will the ride be the same without the hd suspension? > Thanks
I have an ‘03 Silverado Extended cab 1500 with HD. I test drove both the reg and HD, but opted for the HD. The ride feel is still good. I pull a fishing boat with no problems at all. V.B.
Response:
Remeber if you want the all mighty pulling power get the avalanche with the 8 liter engine, that should be a real stump puller, not to mention gas guzzler.
Response:
Another pretty good site for info on the Avalanche www.chevyavalanchefanclub.com also www.clubavalanche.com you will find all the answers to all your questions on these 2 sites….. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > I think I’m seeing that; basically the same price. > Looks like I’m heading towards an Avalanche. > ~chris > I would say the price for a comparable pickup would be the same , > remember you would have to go with top of the line crew type cab, > short box, 4WD, 4 Door, this truck in Canada is worth at least > $45000, my avalanche which I just ordered came in at $49000 loaded. > BTW- someone was talking about engine size, there is an available 8 > liter, thats a wapping 488 Ci. > Sooooooooooooooooo; > I assume the extra $$$ are worth it?????? roughly 7k more then a > comparable 4 door? > The ride & room are 2 of the biggies for me also, but if the > initial outlay is mucho more… > Thanks! > ~chris >>>or an Avalanche. (please, I don’t need the ‘It’s just f-ing ugly’ kind >>>of responses) I’m currently trying to come up with >>After much research, I am going with the Avalanche due to the ride/room >>etc… and if you have not checked out the Avalanche without the body >>cladding, it looks awesome! Its even cheaper when you get one without the >>cladding. >>-cladding +sunroof for me!
Response:
I bought a Crew Cab in 2001, after driving extended Cabs for the previous 15 years or so. I will never go back to the smaller cab. Having the full size doors, full size seats, is great. I bought the short bed model, and it certainly is a bit more difficult to manuver in tight parking lots, etc. A small price to pay though, as it is a great ride. David
Response:
> or an Avalanche. (please, I don’t need the ‘It’s just f-ing ugly’ kind > of responses) I’m currently trying to come up with
After much research, I am going with the Avalanche due to the ride/room etc… and if you have not checked out the Avalanche without the body cladding, it looks awesome! Its even cheaper when you get one without the cladding. -cladding +sunroof for me!
Response:
Sooooooooooooooooo; I assume the extra $$$ are worth it?????? roughly 7k more then a comparable 4 door? The ride & room are 2 of the biggies for me also, but if the initial outlay is mucho more… Thanks! ~chris – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->or an Avalanche. (please, I don’t need the ‘It’s just f-ing ugly’ kind >of responses) I’m currently trying to come up with >After much research, I am going with the Avalanche due to the ride/room >etc… and if you have not checked out the Avalanche without the body >cladding, it looks awesome! Its even cheaper when you get one without the >cladding. >-cladding +sunroof for me!
Response:
When I was still working as a sales manager for a GMC store, we bought some program Avalanches. Even though I didn’t particularly like their looks with the cladding, I drove one as a demo for a couple of weeks. As has been mentioned, it is on a Suburban frame. The ride and drive are far superior to the pickup. (I have owned and driven several of the late model pickups, and I love them) I didn’t really compare the back seat room, but it looked superior to the crew cab pickup. The rear seats used in both trucks are the same seats as the second row in the Suburban. As far as the 2500, do they offer the 6.0 litre in it? If so, defintley get it for towing. It is far better than the 5.3. I have towed with both ( extended cab 1500 w/5.3, Denali w 6.0), and the 6.0 is MUCH better. If they offer the 6.0, you should have a tow rating of around 10k. Then use the 75% max. to be safe. That would be 7500lb. You should be fine. Jerry H. Interesting ~ I thought they were built on the same frame. Thanks: ~chris
Avalanche has the benefit of a short bed wheelbase (I think), but retains the full size bed because of the overlap in the back seating area & the bed. A 4 door of the same length ends up with a shorter bed, so you lose that, and a full size bed on a 4 door is quite the lengthy truck to be parking in the city (I work in Cambridge, Ma). Actually, the ‘Lanche is on a Suburban frame and suspension where the 4 door pickup os on a truck frame. Had a ‘Lanche come in to the shop yestereday that someone had done the 6" suspension lift and giant tires on…looked pretty damn good to me…but then I’ve liked their looks from the start. — Old Crow ‘82 FLTC 92" ‘Pearl’ TOMKAT, SENS, BS#133, DOF#51 ASE Certified Master Auto Tech Chevy Certified Master Tech
Response:
Thanks Jerry! Good info; appreciate it!! ~chris – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > When I was still working as a sales manager for a GMC store, we bought > some program Avalanches. Even though I didn’t particularly like their > looks with the cladding, I drove one as a demo for a couple of weeks. > As has been mentioned, it is on a Suburban frame. The ride and drive > are far superior to the pickup. (I have owned and driven several of > the late model pickups, and I love them) I didn’t really compare the > back seat room, but it looked superior to the crew cab pickup. The > rear seats used in both trucks are the same seats as the second row in > the Suburban. As far as the 2500, do they offer the 6.0 litre in it? > If so, defintley get it for towing. It is far better than the 5.3. I > have towed with both ( extended cab 1500 w/5.3, Denali w 6.0), and the > 6.0 is MUCH better. If they offer the 6.0, you should have a tow > rating of around 10k. Then use the 75% max. to be safe. That would > be 7500lb. You should be fine. > Jerry H. > Interesting ~ I thought they were built on the same frame. > Okay, next question; which one rides better (loaded & unloaded) > and which would tow better? (remember, I’m looking at a 2500) > Thanks: > ~chris >>Avalanche has the benefit of a short bed wheelbase (I think), but >>retains the full size bed because of the overlap in the back seating >>area & the bed. A 4 door of the same length ends up with a shorter bed, >>so you lose that, and a full size bed on a 4 door is quite the lengthy >>truck to be parking in the city (I work in Cambridge, Ma). >Actually, the ‘Lanche is on a Suburban frame and suspension where the >4 door pickup os on a truck frame. >Had a ‘Lanche come in to the shop yestereday that someone had done the >6" suspension lift and giant tires on…looked pretty damn good to >me…but then I’ve liked their looks from the start. >– >Old Crow >’82 FLTC 92" ‘Pearl’ >TOMKAT, SENS, BS#133, DOF#51 >ASE Certified Master Auto Tech >Chevy Certified Master Tech
Response:
I would say the price for a comparable pickup would be the same , remember you would have to go with top of the line crew type cab, short box, 4WD, 4 Door, this truck in Canada is worth at least $45000, my avalanche which I just ordered came in at $49000 loaded. BTW- someone was talking about engine size, there is an available 8 liter, thats a wapping 488 Ci. Sooooooooooooooooo; I assume the extra $$$ are worth it?????? roughly 7k more then a comparable 4 door? The ride & room are 2 of the biggies for me also, but if the initial outlay is mucho more… Thanks! ~chris
or an Avalanche. (please, I don’t need the ‘It’s just f-ing ugly’ kind of responses) I’m currently trying to come up with After much research, I am going with the Avalanche due to the ride/room etc… and if you have not checked out the Avalanche without the body cladding, it looks awesome! Its even cheaper when you get one without the cladding. -cladding +sunroof for me!
Response:
I think I’m seeing that; basically the same price. Looks like I’m heading towards an Avalanche. ~chris – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > I would say the price for a comparable pickup would be the same , > remember you would have to go with top of the line crew type cab, > short box, 4WD, 4 Door, this truck in Canada is worth at least $45000, > my avalanche which I just ordered came in at $49000 loaded. > BTW- someone was talking about engine size, there is an available 8 > liter, thats a wapping 488 Ci. > Sooooooooooooooooo; > I assume the extra $$$ are worth it?????? roughly 7k more then a > comparable 4 door? > The ride & room are 2 of the biggies for me also, but if the > initial outlay is mucho more… > Thanks! > ~chris >>or an Avalanche. (please, I don’t need the ‘It’s just f-ing ugly’ kind >>of responses) I’m currently trying to come up with >After much research, I am going with the Avalanche due to the ride/room >etc… and if you have not checked out the Avalanche without the body >cladding, it looks awesome! Its even cheaper when you get one without the >cladding. >-cladding +sunroof for me!
Response:
Interesting ~ I thought they were built on the same frame. Okay, next question; which one rides better (loaded & unloaded) and which would tow better? (remember, I’m looking at a 2500) Towing a Thanks: ~chris – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->Avalanche has the benefit of a short bed wheelbase (I think), but >retains the full size bed because of the overlap in the back seating >area & the bed. A 4 door of the same length ends up with a shorter bed, >so you lose that, and a full size bed on a 4 door is quite the lengthy >truck to be parking in the city (I work in Cambridge, Ma). >Actually, the ‘Lanche is on a Suburban frame and suspension where the >4 door pickup os on a truck frame. >Had a ‘Lanche come in to the shop yestereday that someone had done the >6" suspension lift and giant tires on…looked pretty damn good to >me…but then I’ve liked their looks from the start. >– >Old Crow >’82 FLTC 92" ‘Pearl’ >TOMKAT, SENS, BS#133, DOF#51 >ASE Certified Master Auto Tech >Chevy Certified Master Tech
Response:
I am in the same boat, I am driving a 2000 sierra 4 door extended cab and there just is not enough room anymore for the two kids, dog and wife.Also we ski a bit and found that it was a pain in the ass when we stopped on the way home for chow and had to put all the ski’s in the cab for fear of being stolen, I don’t want a hard cover as I do not like them. SO, I ordered a 2003 loaded Avalanche last week, and am looking forward to it. Interesting ~ I thought they were built on the same frame. Thanks: ~chris
Avalanche has the benefit of a short bed wheelbase (I think), but retains the full size bed because of the overlap in the back seating area & the bed. A 4 door of the same length ends up with a shorter bed, so you lose that, and a full size bed on a 4 door is quite the lengthy truck to be parking in the city (I work in Cambridge, Ma). Actually, the ‘Lanche is on a Suburban frame and suspension where the 4 door pickup os on a truck frame. Had a ‘Lanche come in to the shop yestereday that someone had done the 6" suspension lift and giant tires on…looked pretty damn good to me…but then I’ve liked their looks from the start. — Old Crow ‘82 FLTC 92" ‘Pearl’ TOMKAT, SENS, BS#133, DOF#51 ASE Certified Master Auto Tech Chevy Certified Master Tech
Response:
Thanks Bossman; City parking is not a big deal ~ I may work here (park in a lot) but I don’t visit, so street parking is not a priority. Rear seat room IS a big deal ~ kids are getting bigger every day, and there’s not going to be enough room in my current extend cab, hence the new purchase. Thanks for the input!! ~Chris – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Avalanche has the benefit of a short bed wheelbase (I think), but >retains the full size bed because of the overlap in the back seating >area & the bed. A 4 door of the same length ends up with a shorter bed, >so you lose that, and a full size bed on a 4 door is quite the lengthy >truck to be parking in the city (I work in Cambridge, Ma). >This, and some small item storage in the bed walls on the Avalanche, are >pretty much the only difference I can find. Anyone else have ideas? I’m >going to be looking for a 3/4 ton 4wd Auto. > Went through the same process. The Ava has much more room for rear > seat passengers and drives better than the 4 door pickup.Plus you still > have the ability to haul items up to 8 feet long and have them covered and > locked. The Ava is more difficult to park in the city because of the >height > of the tailgate,very hard to see anything directly behind you. > Bossman
Response:
Thanks: I currently have an extend cab, but there’s not enough room for my kids ~ they’re growing too fast (but not fast enough) We need leg room for them, and it’s just not there in the extend cab Thanks again; ~chris – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->I really don’t want to open a can-o-worms here, but I’d like to know >what people think are the benefits/downfalls of either a 4 door pickup >or an Avalanche. (please, I don’t need the ‘It’s just f-ing ugly’ kind >of responses) I’m currently trying to come up with >advantages/disadvantages, as I’m in the market for a new (used maybe) >truck. >My thoughts: >Avalanche has the benefit of a short bed wheelbase (I think), but >retains the full size bed because of the overlap in the back seating >area & the bed. A 4 door of the same length ends up with a shorter bed, >so you lose that, and a full size bed on a 4 door is quite the lengthy >truck to be parking in the city (I work in Cambridge, Ma). >This, and some small item storage in the bed walls on the Avalanche, are >pretty much the only difference I can find. Anyone else have ideas? I’m >going to be looking for a 3/4 ton 4wd Auto. >Thanks for your thoughts and replies. >~chrisd >I considered the Avalanche, but opted for the Silverado Extended cab because >of price. Still big, but a great handling and riding vehicle as opposed to >the F250. >V.B.
Response:
I ‘was’ considering a Dodge product (sorry all for even considering it!) but I’ve heard of mega transmission problems in the Dodge line. Also,I have a cousin who purchased a 4 door Ram (2003) and is in the process of getting a refund on the lemon law with some kind of computer problem. Another thing, I’ve seen more Dodge Quads for sale used then Avalanche or 4 door Chevys, which tells me something. Thank for you input: ~Chris – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >says… >I really don’t want to open a can-o-worms here, but I’d like to know >what people think are the benefits/downfalls of either a 4 door pickup >or an Avalanche. (please, I don’t need the ‘It’s just f-ing ugly’ kind >of responses) I’m currently trying to come up with >advantages/disadvantages, as I’m in the market for a new (used maybe) truck. >My thoughts: >Avalanche has the benefit of a short bed wheelbase (I think), but >retains the full size bed because of the overlap in the back seating >area & the bed. A 4 door of the same length ends up with a shorter bed, >so you lose that, and a full size bed on a 4 door is quite the lengthy >truck to be parking in the city (I work in Cambridge, Ma). >This, and some small item storage in the bed walls on the Avalanche, are >pretty much the only difference I can find. Anyone else have ideas? I’m >going to be looking for a 3/4 ton 4wd Auto. >Thanks for your thoughts and replies. >~chrisd >I passed up considering the Avalanche mostly because I could get a truck >(2003 Ram Quad Cab 4×4) for about 4-5000 less than an equivalent >Avalanche. >BDK
Response:
>Avalanche has the benefit of a short bed wheelbase (I think), but >retains the full size bed because of the overlap in the back seating >area & the bed. A 4 door of the same length ends up with a shorter bed, >so you lose that, and a full size bed on a 4 door is quite the lengthy >truck to be parking in the city (I work in Cambridge, Ma).
Actually, the ‘Lanche is on a Suburban frame and suspension where the 4 door pickup os on a truck frame. Had a ‘Lanche come in to the shop yestereday that someone had done the 6" suspension lift and giant tires on…looked pretty damn good to me…but then I’ve liked their looks from the start. — Old Crow ‘82 FLTC 92" ‘Pearl’ TOMKAT, SENS, BS#133, DOF#51 ASE Certified Master Auto Tech Chevy Certified Master Tech
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I really don’t want to open a can-o-worms here, but I’d like to know > what people think are the benefits/downfalls of either a 4 door pickup > or an Avalanche. (please, I don’t need the ‘It’s just f-ing ugly’ kind > of responses) I’m currently trying to come up with > advantages/disadvantages, as I’m in the market for a new (used maybe) truck. > My thoughts: > Avalanche has the benefit of a short bed wheelbase (I think), but > retains the full size bed because of the overlap in the back seating > area & the bed. A 4 door of the same length ends up with a shorter bed, > so you lose that, and a full size bed on a 4 door is quite the lengthy > truck to be parking in the city (I work in Cambridge, Ma). > This, and some small item storage in the bed walls on the Avalanche, are > pretty much the only difference I can find. Anyone else have ideas? I’m > going to be looking for a 3/4 ton 4wd Auto. > Thanks for your thoughts and replies. > ~chrisd
I considered the Avalanche, but opted for the Silverado Extended cab because of price. Still big, but a great handling and riding vehicle as opposed to the F250. V.B.
Response:
Avalanche has the benefit of a short bed wheelbase (I think), but > retains the full size bed because of the overlap in the back seating > area & the bed. A 4 door of the same length ends up with a shorter bed, > so you lose that, and a full size bed on a 4 door is quite the lengthy > truck to be parking in the city (I work in Cambridge, Ma). > This, and some small item storage in the bed walls on the Avalanche, are > pretty much the only difference I can find. Anyone else have ideas? I’m > going to be looking for a 3/4 ton 4wd Auto.
Went through the same process. The Ava has much more room for rear seat passengers and drives better than the 4 door pickup.Plus you still have the ability to haul items up to 8 feet long and have them covered and locked. The Ava is more difficult to park in the city because of the height of the tailgate,very hard to see anything directly behind you. Bossman
Response:
says… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I really don’t want to open a can-o-worms here, but I’d like to know > what people think are the benefits/downfalls of either a 4 door pickup > or an Avalanche. (please, I don’t need the ‘It’s just f-ing ugly’ kind > of responses) I’m currently trying to come up with > advantages/disadvantages, as I’m in the market for a new (used maybe) truck. > My thoughts: > Avalanche has the benefit of a short bed wheelbase (I think), but > retains the full size bed because of the overlap in the back seating > area & the bed. A 4 door of the same length ends up with a shorter bed, > so you lose that, and a full size bed on a 4 door is quite the lengthy > truck to be parking in the city (I work in Cambridge, Ma). > This, and some small item storage in the bed walls on the Avalanche, are > pretty much the only difference I can find. Anyone else have ideas? I’m > going to be looking for a 3/4 ton 4wd Auto. > Thanks for your thoughts and replies. > ~chrisd
I passed up considering the Avalanche mostly because I could get a truck (2003 Ram Quad Cab 4×4) for about 4-5000 less than an equivalent Avalanche. BDK
Response:
I really don’t want to open a can-o-worms here, but I’d like to know what people think are the benefits/downfalls of either a 4 door pickup or an Avalanche. (please, I don’t need the ‘It’s just f-ing ugly’ kind of responses) I’m currently trying to come up with advantages/disadvantages, as I’m in the market for a new (used maybe) truck. My thoughts: Avalanche has the benefit of a short bed wheelbase (I think), but retains the full size bed because of the overlap in the back seating area & the bed. A 4 door of the same length ends up with a shorter bed, so you lose that, and a full size bed on a 4 door is quite the lengthy truck to be parking in the city (I work in Cambridge, Ma). This, and some small item storage in the bed walls on the Avalanche, are pretty much the only difference I can find. Anyone else have ideas? I’m going to be looking for a 3/4 ton 4wd Auto. Thanks for your thoughts and replies. ~chrisd
