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Taking Your Avalanche Off-Road
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The Avalanche may not be as agile as a Jeep or as robust as a Hummer, but for a 5,700 pound vehicle it is as good as they come.  If your Avalanche ownership plans including going off the beaten path the Z-71 package is highly recommended due to the skid shields provided.  These shields cover most of the critical components beneath the vehicle, with the exception of the fuel tank.  With the fuel tank flush with the chassis though and constructed of polymer, it can take a large impact and weight before any serious damage is incurred.  Without any modifications, the Avalanche 1500 is somewhat more suited to off-roading than the 2500, due primarily to a lower weight and a slightly higher stance.

Often the most difficult part about off-roading is locating an area that is suitable.  Hills, mud, sand, trails, and streams are all fun to navigate, and armed with maps and leads from other off-roaders, you should be able to find a good location.  Four-wheel drive related businesses are also a good source of off-roading areas.  Of primary concern is to ensure that you are allowed on the land and are not trespassing or violating local, state, or federal laws.

Outside, county maps are a great asset, as land owners are typically mentioned for each section.  Once a suitable area has been found, scouting it is beneficial.  It is helpful to have others that frequent the area with you, in the event that you need assistance.  Yet if it is too busy, it poses many safety risks, especially in areas with dense vegetation and blind spots caused by numerous hills.

Prior to going off-road, you will want to ensure that you have a few basic supplies.

• Tow strap: chains and ropes are also suitable, though they can result in quite a jar when you tighten up the slack on them.  Towing straps resemble fire hose and stretch approximately 20%.  This rubber band-like effect not only eliminates the jarring experienced with other towing methods, but it is more effective in pulling you from whatever you are stuck in.

• Shovel:  especially if you are off-roading in an area with large amounts of sand or loose dirt.

• Cribbing:  the best bet is to get a ten foot long 2X4 at home depot and have them cut two 52" long sections.  They'll fit right in a holder in your bed and can be put under a tire to give you extra traction.

• Tarp, Gloves and Rags: off-roading can get muddy so be prepared.  A tarp to keep you off the ground, gloves to keep your hands clean and rags to wipe up before getting back into your Avalanche.

• Safety Flag: this allows others to see your vehicle, in particular when driving around or over smaller hills.  In some areas these flags are required.

• First Aid Kit:  a wise addition to the vehicle whether off-roading or not.

• Communication Device: cellular phone, CB and FRS radio can all be used.  Keep in mind that in remote areas a cellular phone as well as OnStar may not have service.  A FRS radio assumes someone else is no more than two to five miles away.

• Twenty-four Hour Survival Kit: drinking water, food that doesn't require cooking, warm clothes, and blankets are highly recommended.

• Extra Fuel and Windshield Washer Fluid: especially if you're traveling a long distance.

Before you leave home, you will want to ensure your Avalanche is ready to go off-road.  Many accessories, including the body-contoured splash guards, are not intended for off-road use.  They are too exposed and since they are constructed from a sturdy plastic, will not give if your truck bottoms out in a rut.  

While this is mentioned explicitly in the installation instructions for them, I did not notice it, and ended up cracking one of the splash guards.  Others have had less pleasant experiences, including cladding being torn off due to the splash guards getting caught up in debris.
Keep in mind that the 'bottom' of the truck extends up the front and back as well when you climb hills and accessories such as receiver hitch covers will be easily torn off if dragged through the ground.  These must also be removed.

An item to be aware of is the trailer wiring connector alongside the receiver hitch.  In deep ruts or mud, it may become bent upward, though it is difficult to have it torn off.  If it is a bigger concern, it is possible to relocate it to the bumper, with some effort.  There is no cause for concern regarding the receiver hitch itself bottoming out on the ground.  It is meant to take much more weight than what it will be experiencing against the ground when tackling steep hills.

Once at the area you have selected for off-roading it is advised that you remain on the main trails and routes, at least initially.  If you decide to stray from them, I strongly suggest that you get out and walk the area first.  Bottles, vehicle parts, and other dangerous objects are often lurking in these areas, left by those not courteous enough to clean up after themselves.

In soft terrain such as mud or sand, maintaining forward momentum is critical.  If the vehicle comes to a stop, it can be very difficult or impossible to get moving again without someone else's assistance.  Excessive wheel spin should be avoided, especially in sand, where it can quickly cause the vehicle to sink.  With minimal practice one should be able to get a feel for the appropriate amount of throttle to give in order to maintain speed without excess.

Mud like this can be far more sticky than it appears.  If you're this close and having second thoughts, it is too late - give it more throttle and cross your fingers!

Hills are very fun to tackle.  It is important though to first scout it, parking where safe and walking up the hill to ensure that the other side is safe to descend and that no one else is in the area.  It is wise to walk alongside the trail, in case someone else suddenly appears cresting the hill, heading towards you.  When you have determined that it is safe, approach the hill directly.  If approached at an angle, there is a serious risk of rollover.  Once you have made it to the top of the hill and are preparing to descend, be sure to watch the sides of the trail for trees, and use only enough brake for a controlled descent.  Excessive brakes will cause the wheels to lock, even with ABS, and this can cause the rear of the truck to slide to one side, creating a risk of rollover or colliding with trees or rocks.

Once you are finished off-roading and are ready to return home, a serious inspection of the truck is recommended.  The brake rotors and brake pads should be examined to ensure that no rocks or heavy grit has been caught in them.  The CV boots on the Avalanche are tucked away from harm more than in most vehicles, but it is still important to examine them for damage.  If they become torn or split, they need to be replaced as soon as possible or the cost of the repair can become very high.  It is easy to see them, fortunately.  You can either look beneath the truck from the front, or you can turn the wheels to the extreme left and extreme right, taking a look each time.  If the trailer wiring connector was bent upward while off-roading, you will want to now bend it down again.

The Avalanche is a very impressive vehicle both on road and off-road.  The reaction and comments received by others off-roading are very positive, especially for a stock vehicle with no modifications.  I can hardly wait to be able to do this again with a six-inch lift and some larger tires.

Author Credit:  Dennis aka Boar-Ral
Photo Credit:  Dennis aka Boar-Ral