We have a 2005 Chevy Avalanche, 1500, 4 wheel drive, Z-71. We want to purchase a 2009 K-Z Spree, 289 KS. The specs are as follows:
GVWR 7000, Unloaded Weight 5028, Dry Hitch Weight 450, Dry Axle Weight 4578, Net Carrying Capacity 1972, Length 30ft, 6in.
My tow vehicle is as follows:
GVWR 7000, Towing Max 7900, Wheel Base 130in, 3.42 rear end, 5.3 liter V-8. We are a family of 2 adults and a 5 year old. Is this TT within our means? The dealer says no problem, but I know how sales people can be. we are considering the Reese high performance trunion style weight distribution system. We want to travel to Colorado from Wisconsin this summer. Any help...please? Thanks
* This post was
edited 04/06/09 09:58am by ffgus *
By the specs you are ok but in real life towing you may not like this combo. The rear end ratio of your truck will be the biggest factor. There are others on this forum that will be able to tell you in more detail why you wont be happy. Good luck
If your max towing is 7900lbs on your truck then you should be all set. I think that its weird that Chevy would give a 7900lb capacity to a truck with a 3.42 rear end.
ffgus wrote: We have a 2005 Chevy Avalanche, 1500, 4 wheel drive, Z-71. We want to purchase a 2009 K-Z Spree, 289 KS. The specs are as follows:
GVWR 7000, Unloades Weight 5028, Dry Hitch Weight 450, Dry Axle Weight 4578, Net Carrying Capacity 1972, Length 30ft, 6in.
My tow vehicle is as follows:
GVWR 7000, Towing Max 7900, Wheel Base 130in, 3.42 rear end, 5.3 liter V-8. We are a family of 2 adults and a 5 year old. Is this TT within our means? The dealer says no problem, but I know how sales people can be. we are considering the Reese high performance trunion style weight distribution system. We want to travel to Colorado from Wisconsin this summer. Any help...please? Thanks
Are you sure you've got the 3.42 rear end? My 2004 Avalanche has the 5.3 liter V-8 with the Z-71 package and 4X4, and I've got the 3.73 rear end. We towed the TT in our signature (which is only about 40 pounds lighter than the one you're considering) from Ohio all through the West, including some steep grades. After over 5,000 miles we were generally very pleased with the towing experience. There were 2 steep grades (one past Yellowstone and one leaving Salt Lake City) where I wish I had more truck, but we managed both grades in 2nd gear. We average a bit over 10 mpg for the trip and would do it again. I did add an aftermarket transmission cooler and the Reese dual cam sway control system. Good luck with your decision.
I checked the Regular Production Option Codes in the glove compartment, and the code GU6 is for the 3.42 rear end. I do not show, however, the code M55, for transmission cooler. I just want a safe trip for me and my family.
Get a transmission cooler. Much cheaper to add one than to replace a transmission. And it will help for every other time you tow, as well.
Based purely on the numbers, you should be ok for the Colorado trip, if you don't pack too heavy. You won't have much fun towing out west here, but you'll get through it for a single trip. Just be very patient, plan on extra time, and do a little route planning to avoid the worst grades, if you can.
Get your maintenance done. Fluids, a thorough checkup, and especially brakes.
In Wisconsin, you still won't be speedy if you have a 3.42, but you'll be ok if you take it easy. The terrain is pretty mild in most parts of the state.
Jason, Angie, and our toddler, Sean Patrick
2008 Ameri-Lite 27BH
2007 Dodge 1500 QC Laramie, 5.7Hemi, 3.92
Equalizer hitch, Prodigy Brake Controller
My old (last) TV was the same thing you have (same specs) in the Crew Cab 1500 Silverado...I absolutely did not like the tow. I towed from North Dakota out to North Idaho (highway 2 the whole way) and really got tired of the hot rear gear oil smell the whole way there and back (the smell started just west of Williston, ND). Took the truck to a dealership in Sandpoint ID just to check it out, they said it was fine but that it got hot. Wish I had the 3.73 or 4.10 then and I would still have the truck, but the 3.42 was horrible for towing...NEVER trust the sales rep, they will tell you ANYTHING for a sale. Personally, I would either look at some upgrades for the TV (re-gear it), smaller unit, or upgrade the TV to something a little more comfortable for the tow. I am sure there are others (I read the posts), that say otherwise, but I have been down that road and don't want to go through that again.
* This post was
edited 04/05/09 09:44pm by H4Adventures *
I have a 2004 Avalanche Z71 with the 5.3L and 3:73 rear gears.The 2004 Avalanche 1500's came with 3:73 as a standard gear,and the 4:10's were optional.In 2005 GM changed the standard gear ratio to 3:42,and the 4:10 were optional.I didn't buy a 2005 or 2006 for that reason.My trailer has a GVW of 5000 LBS and weighed 3520 LBS from factory.The 3:42 is not the greatest ratio for towing because it's more of a hwy gear and the Avalanche is very heavy.The 4:10 ratio is the best when towing and by searching the net,you'll find that the difference in gas mileage really isn't that bad(compared to the 3:73's).As far as transmission coolers go,the 1500 series Avalanche's DO NOT come with a transmission cooler(even with the Heavy-Duty tow pkg)but the Sierra/Silverado's do(go figure).I went to my nearest GM dealer and bought one for a 2004 Silverado,and if fits like a glove.I would not tow the trailer that you mentioned without a transmission cooler,and i would not recommend the 3:42 gear ratio.
Our 2005 AV has the 3.42 rear end and we have towed over the Rockies several times. Our TT is lighter than the one you are considering with a scale reading of just over 5000 lbs ready to go with only a little water. Never really felt concerned even on the long steeper grades. Did have to run at near 4000 RPMs for short periods but this should not hurt a well maintained truck. We were never the slowest rig on the road. I installed the trans cooler used on the AV 2500, nice clean install and seems to do the job well. Also use synthetic oil. IMHO you should be OK if you don't tow with a lot of water and other cargo.
Bob /Beavercreek OH
Avalanche 1500/Trail Lite 8230
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