I've given this a lot of thought and I think I have some ideas on how to make the tailgate/bed better in the Avalanche:
Well - those are my ideas...
- In the gray cladding around the tailgate handle, put the 0/1 2/3 4/5 6/7 8/9 buttons you see on the Fords to open the tailgate without a key as a power accessory. The tailgate could also then be tied to the remote to lock and unlock seeing how all Avalanches are equipped this way. A special combination of numbers or sequence could be used to disable for those who don't want to use it.
- Install a small console that closes up and is weather resistant inside the bed on the driver's side, up high close to the top rail. The door could open up to reveal an auxilary power plug for 12V DC, a non-grounded 110 AC plug (like in the Pontiac Vibe), and on the Z-66 models with an air suspension, an attachment to the air compressor with hose to use to inflate tires or what ever else (like on the Pontiac Montana).
- The additional of an optional, removable tray, similar to what is in the Pontiac Aztek. The tray would attach into the bed using the tier points (where you put the 2X4 to add a second tier to the bed) and would pull out with various pockets and nooks to make day to day erand running and grocery getting easier.
Well - those are my ideas...