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How To Make The Bed/Tailgate Better

Chief

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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:

  • 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...
 
I would like to see a built in backup camera with a built in dash mounted video monitor/GPS so that I can see little people or cars when I am backing up. If I do back over someone then I've got the GPS to plot a getaway course
 
I thought that GM could at least make the key holes light up when pushed (like some of their other vehicles). That way you'd at least be able to see where to put the key.

I liked the ideas about the power socket in the back.
 
I would like to see the rails for the hard covers more integrated into the sides, to keep the bed area clear for hauling stuff. I have also seen mention of plugs in the bed area. this would be handy for camping, tailgate parties etc...
 
Since this is an innovative vehicle, I would like to see a dual-mode gate. . . . . one that opens as a traditional flip-down, as it is now, but also have the ability to work as a split swing-out gate .. . sort of the bottom half of the Suburban rear doors. . . . the difference being that it would be dual mode. Okay, we're looking at a fair amount of CAD time, design engineering, and mfg. engineering, but it would offer a lot more flexibility for loading. Besides that, if it were a split gate, you could open it up and have a bit of privacy, when using the Bumper Dumper. ;)
 
An excellent idea is an electric lock for the tailgate. I would also like to a warning lamp on the console when the vehicle ignition is turned on to indicate that the tailgate is down. I don't think these modifications would cost too much to add.
 
i would like to see the bed widened.. or at lease have the ability to remove the side pods for a more "traditional" bed type... as it seems from one of my other questions.. my quad wont fit by inches... and it fits in my freinds 1500 silverado just fine... i mean the exterior dimentions arent THAT much different.. i think that if you could just temporarily do away with the side pods that would be cool... or make them less intrusive. who knows...
 
I'd like to see removable pods too. They're handy, but take up room. The could pivot on the rail with a latch or somthing in the bed at the bottom. you undo the latch, rotate the pod up and out and it unhooks. You stick it in the garage and now you have a very usable bed.

Also, I'm not in love with this rubber mat in there. It keeps water underneath for days. I know, I took it out once after washing the truck because water got through the midgate seal. It was really wet under there.

Also, it is impossible to "scoot" anything on that rubber. Nice idea to keep stuff from moving around, but it is a killer to load that first piece of long lumber or push a box forward in the bed. They won't move.
 
Semi related topic: I'd like to see the mid-gate split 60/40 to match the rear seat to enable hauling long items and a rear seat passenger at the same time. Besides, most of the long items I have hauled (fishing rods, 2x4' etc. do not require the entire width of the bed
to be lengthened.

 
A couple of comments . . .

I like the dual mode tailgate (opening down - as it does now, or out - like the gate on the now defunct Lincoln Blackwood) They did it on my folks 1970 Olds Vista Cruiser - granted just one side, but if that worked then, it can certainly be done on both sides for the Av gate.

My way around the sticky mat was to purchase a carpet mat - 4'x6' - to go in the back. ? The extra foot curls up against the back of the midgate. ?Makes loading and unloading much easier - but you do end up climbing under the hard covers to get errant items a bit more often.

And, I'll add my vote for the 60/40 midgate, but hate to think of how that would multiply the leak problems.
 
wrchism said:
And, I'll add my vote for the 60/40 midgate, but hate to think of how that would multiply the leak problems.
Count me in both for the interest, and for the concern. The only way I can see it working is if you have to lower the sides in a specific order, but youre still talking about additional seals to get messed up.
 
Hey XRover,

I saw a Hummer on the Net with a backup camera. I started doing some searching cause I thought that would be cool to have on the Av.

You can do it so I think after I get mine, I will make an attempt to add the camera.

Why can't GM have the tailgate lock and unlock when you unlock your doors?

 
My thoughts exactly about the 12V socket. About a week ago, I went down to the local Radio Shack and purchased a single 12V socket receptacle. It had a nice design that with a properly drilled hole, it would front mount by pushing into place and snapping right in. It also had a handy plastic flap cover to cover it when not in use and an inline fuse. At $5.99 how could I go wrong. Well I only spent about 15 minutes looking at the back of the bed on the driver's side for a place to start to drill. I want to mount it up high near the back but I want to be careful where to put it as not to drill into the side compartments. After removing the tail light, it seems it will be a bit of a hunt to find the perfect place. My next attempt will be to entirely remove the top piece of the bed on the driver's side. Hopefully that will give me a better look down the side walls. Once I get some time to complete, I'll place a post in the accessories section.
 
I think Chevy had the idea of the power sockets in the bed but deleted it for production.

I swear I remember seeing it on the concept truck.

Does this sound familiar to anyone?
 
NetManZ71 said:
I think Chevy had the idea of the power sockets in the bed but deleted it for production.

I swear I remember seeing it on the concept truck.

Does this sound familiar to anyone?

I never saw the concept truck, but mine is about to have a power socket in the bed nonetheless.

I will be installing an inverter under the rear passenger seat and run a permanent weather proof outlet to the bed. Power inside - power outside. :cool: :cool:

The dual battery setup and larger alternator are first. ;D ;D

helmet
 
NetManZ71 said:
I think Chevy had the idea of the power sockets in the bed but deleted it for production.

I swear I remember seeing it on the concept truck.

Does this sound familiar to anyone?

Possibly BaseCamp. It had a sink and cook top inside the tailgate and a fridge that hung underneath. Also a cell-phone mounted in the bed.
 
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