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RIP 2011 Avalanche LTZ

Bruizza

Full Member
Joined
Apr 22, 2009
Messages
480
I was towing our camper up to Wyoming for a weekend camping trip when it started to sway on me uncontrollably on a straight stretch of highway.  Did everything in my power to save it but just couldn't get it back under control.  I wasn't speeding as the speed limit was 75 on that stretch of highway and I wasn't even going that fast.  I am guessing at best I got us down to 60 or so before we tipped over.  Slid for somewhere between 50-100 feet.  I tried to get over to an exit that was coming up to not take out any other vehicles since it was pretty congested Friday evening traffic.  We ended up on the shoulder luckily.  Wife and I both walked away without a scratch on us. 

Right before we left I had new wheels and tires installed on the truck.  GMC 22s with a 305/45/22 Nitto Terra Grappler.  I had also had the ball joints and control arms replaced on Friday.  Truck was driving like a dream when it all went down.  I feel like something broke or came undone on the anti sway hitch.  It wasn't windy and we weren't changing lanes or anything like that.  Just cruising along and the trailer went bananas on me.  I have towed 10s of thousands of miles over the years. I also have a boat and a 2 jetskis in addition to the camper.  So nowhere near a novice when it comes to towing.  Never had an incident like this before and hope I never have one again.  Anyways here are the pictures.

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Glad you guys are OK, for sure, the damage doesn't look that bad from here, the glass din't even break, lol.  little bondo and some paint your back in business!

Didit
 
I couldn't get more pictures as I left my phone in the truck while it was on its side.  I promise you the damage is much more extensive than that picture shows.  Pretty sure the frame is twisted since the camper flipped us over and the tailgate wouldn't open.  Insurance told me on the phone it sounds like it will be a total loss.  I am hoping to find out today or tomorrow if it is totaled.  Really just preparing to find out it is totaled at this point.  Once I get to the salvage lot which it is already at (because I am sure they are totaling it) I will take a bunch more in depth pictures.
 
Glad to hear you are both OK.
 
WOW glad to see you and the family are OK.
 
Glad you are both OK.  Could have been a lot worse.

Just out of curiousity, did you use the trailer brakes to try to stop the sway?  Off the gas, ease on the trailer brakes with the controller, and then when it slows you can use the truck brakes.  That is what people say to do, but I have never been in a situation to try it (and I'm not in a hurry to try either).
 
Scary to see this and I can't imagine the fear after a trailer goes haywire on you. Glad you guys are OK.
 
Wow, glad all are okay.. Did a tire on the trailer blow? That might cause it to get squirrely.
 
A tire did not blow but a guy at the dealership (went to get a new truck it is sweet!) said he had something similar happen and he had a tire that was about to blow.  He saved it though........  The tires on the trailer were from 2011.  Tire shop said I might want to replace.  My thinking was I will replace in the spring as this was the last planned trip with the camper.  Didn't want to spend the money on tires to sit all winter.  Once again a coulda woulda shoulda situation.  Kicking myself now for not just ponying up the dough for the tires. 

I had all new ball joints and control arms installed Friday.  Truck was driving the best it had driven all summer when this went down.  Freaking loved that avalanche like I have never loved a truck before.  It was my 2nd avalanche but unfortunately probably my last.  Picked up a 17 Sierra Denali with the 6.2.  Got the lift kit on the way (arrives tomorrow) got a tint appointment tomorrow as well.  Not going to let this accident keep me down.  My wife and I walked away unscathed.  Life goes on and I realized I have a truly blessed life.  We didn't have our 2 year old with us and she isn't an orphan.  Hugged a few extra times each day since Friday!!!!!!!
 
Wow!!  That is unreal.  That sure does sound like something broke.  How were the trailer tires?

Edit: I see you commented on the tires already.
 
Bruizza said:
Life goes on and I realized I have a truly blessed life.  We didn't have our 2 year old with us and she isn't an orphan.  Hugged a few extra times each day since Friday!!!!!!!
Bingo!  Sucks about the trip, the trailer, and the AV. At least you're good to go and able to tell the story!
 
On a positive note, I'd love to hear your detailed thoughts about the Denali.  I'm at a crossroads on my own truck.  I need to either sink some money in to cleaning it up (interior and exterior), or switch out to a new 6.2L.  I need something that will tow the Tige effortlessly.  The supercharged Avy does that, but I assume a Denali will too.  My truck is sitting at 190,000km and is problem free other than a host of superficial things.
 
So Friday I got the call from the insurance company that she is totaled.  Over 20k in damages to my beloved Avalanche.  I submitted almost 10k worth of receipts yesterday for all the extra stuff I had done to it.  We will see how that goes.  Got all my stuff out of the Avy yesterday and took some more pictures.  I am completely amazed how well the wrap held up.

Johnnie as for the Denali it is one hell of an upgrade!!!!!  I have a Tige as well (RZ2) and it tows it unbelievably well.  I had intake, headers, exhaust and a custom engine tune done by black bear on the Avy.  Denali destroys the Avy performance in every category so far.  Took the Denali on a 400 mile road trip the day after I wrecked the Avy and it averaged 20.2 MPG for that road trip.  I think I was averaging around 13 MPG for the year in my Avalanche.  The inside of the Denali is incredible!  Quietest truck I have ever been in.  I was coming down a big hill in my neighborhood yesterday and the dash dings at me and tells me hill descent assist has been activated.  Had another mile to go down the hill and it held the speed the whole time.  I never touched the brakes again after that came.  Then I'll be damned it did the same thing this morning only going uphill.  I guess it engages the brake even after you let off but before you hit the gas so you don't roll any.  Don't get me wrong I LOVED my Avalanche, heck I owned 2 of them over the years.  The Denali is just on a whole different level. 

Here are the pics I know you all want to see!  Please excuse the blurriness of some of them.  It was pouring down rain when I was getting the last of my stuff out of it.

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Did you  notice what broke on the trailer
 
Even when they total it, how much is it to buy back? Maybe a nice off road project if the drivetrain is still good.
 
MS03 2500 said:
Did you  notice what broke on the trailer

I couldn't tell.  Tongue definitely looked a bit suspect but that is probably from it rolling over.  I did notice 3 damn wasp nests up in the tongue of the trailer. 
 
Here are a couple shots of the new truck with a rough country 2.5" front and 1" rear leveling kit installed.  Just waiting on my insurance money before it gets bigger tires and a wrap.

 
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With it tinted

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blu_fuz said:
I'm buying some of those same 22's local for my Bermuda blue AV tomorrow. Good looking setup.  (y)

They are my all time favorite wheels GMC has produced.  Ordered my tires yesterday 33x12.50x22 Nitto Ridge Grapplers.  Goes in for the wrap 1 week from today.
 
One of my favourite features of the LTZ is the auto-leveling.  It looks like the Denali is still susceptible to the half ton "squat" under load.  Do you find its annoying at all?

I also like the ride of the Avalanche.  How does the Denali compare?
 
blu_fuz said:
I'm buying some of those same 22's local for my Bermuda blue AV tomorrow. Good looking setup.  (y)

Are you getting rid of your current ones? I love your current ones
 
Sucks man. I always liked how clean that truck looked - new one looks good, but that wrap was sweet. Good to hear you escaped unharmed...
 
It's great you all came out OK but I can't help but wonder what kind of sway control was you using?

Roger
 
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