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Tell Me About Your Avalanche

M

motinacan

GUEST
If you could answer any or all of these questions it would be greatly appreciated. Please put the number of the question before the answer
1. What other cars/trucks were you considering to buy?Why?
2. What do you use the truck/bed for?
3. What storage compartments are there in the bed? What do you think of them?
4. Are there any particular features you think are needed in the bed?
5. Are there any features that are unneeded but have come in the bed?
6. Any other comments concerning the bed?

Thank you for your cooperation. I have asked these questions because I am taking a design class as an engineering student. As a part of this class, my group has been presented with a project to improve upon the utilities and features of the bed of the Avalanche, specifically the sidewalls of the bed. Any information presented will not be connected with your username or identity in anyway. Thank You.
 
Hi, welcome to the club.

1. None. I traded a '00 Silverado. I wanted a bigger cab, bed size was not too important but I definately needed one
2. Mostly dump trips. In the summer getting firewood for camp. Taking things to and from camp in the summer. Large toys, etc.
3. The ones on the side of the bed are good and quite spacious. I only use one side and sometimes I use the other side as a cooler. In the side that I use I have a box of tie downs, a bike pump, a few other odds and ends.
4. I would have liked a switch for the bed lights in the back (from the factory)
5. I can't understand the "ATV tire tracks" I wish the mat was smooth
6. It's perfect for me. I like the covers and the ability to remove only as many covers as I need to.

-Mark
 
1. Acura MDX. Acura reliability and quality, good ground clearance, seats seven
2. Wow! Just about everything. Cargo hauling on trips and camping, support vehicle on search and rescue team, carrying home improvement stuff and then a-typical suburban grocery getting - also makes a great play pen for two years olds when stationary
3. There are the two side saddle bag storage areas. I really like them but I wish GM made them a bit more air tight - they tend to get very dusty so I don't keep my first aid kit in there.
4. Yes! 12-volt DC, 110 VAC, and a switch to turn the cargo lights on and off. I would think the console should be covered and located high and toward the tailgate. Further, the slats where you can put 2 2X4 to make a divider are much to close to to tailgate, I would push it back at least 12 more inches.
5. Not that I can think of
6. Nope
 
1. None. As soon as I saw the Avalanche, even just photographs from the major auto shows, I had to have one. Liked the looks, the agressive stance, and the utility that it offered, not to mention room to haul 6 adults.
2. I'm self employed as a photographer and I have hauled my complete computer system, including a digital die sub printer, to do location photographs for car shows, motorcycle shows, etc. I am able to store everything in the bed and be able to lock the entire vehicle and not have to worry about someone breaking in if I have to step away for a period of time. I have also hauled pine bark mulch for the yard, firewood, plywood, 2 x 4's, etc. Lastly, I have the Avalanche tent that fits into the bed which I have used to go camping.
3. The bed side storage compartments are great for storing emergency items (reflectors, tools, tow chains, etc.)
4. There should be a power outlet of some type in the bed, either a 12V outlet similar to those in the dash, or a 110V outlet to power household items. Perhaps both.
5. None
6. In my opinion and for my uses, this is a perfect vehicle. As I mentioned before, the being able to secure everyting in the bed is one of the Avalanche's greatest assets.
 
1. What other cars/trucks were you considering to buy?Why?
I was hooked on the Av as soon as I saw the concept vechile, but still forced myself to check out the full size Ford, Dodge and Chev 1/2 ton, the Ford copped off Explorer, the Tundra and the Tacoma
2. What do you use the truck/bed for?
A part time thing for me. Lumber, yard supplies, dog food, trips to the dump, etc.
3. What storage compartments are there in the bed? What do you think of them?
There are none I use in the bed. The outside storage boxes are great. Hold cleaning materials, snow gear, first aid, ropes, small stump puller, etc.
4. Are there any particular features you think are needed in the bed?
Not in the Bed. The cargo extender option is a nice touch. A split midgate might be nice, but that is not the bed itself
5. Are there any features that are unneeded but have come in the bed?
Don't think so
6. Any other comments concerning the bed?
Again, not the bed itself, but the grab handles to get up to it are awesome.

 
Are you in the same engineering class as Steve Yang in a previous post asking about how to improve entry and exit in the Avalanche?

Did your whole class decide to work on the AV? If you did, you couldn't have picked a better vehicle to work on. The other trucks or SUV would be absolutely boring to pick as a design assignment.

Expect to get lots of replies because we don't hold any punches here. Here are my answers:

1. Other vehicles considered: Anything GM/Chevy/GMC like Yukon XL, Suburban, Tahoe. Why? Die hard GM guy and lately, they have been design leaders. The AV tops them all.

2. Use for truckbed: hauling long item to and fro homes, hardware store, Home Depot, etc. Mostly for projects and stuff. Not for work.

3. The answer to this one is easily answered by the catalog (and by the members above and below). The truck bed is a truck bed is a truck bed. What's cool are the 2 side compartments!

4. Enhancements for the bed? Don't fix what's not broken. No complaints whatsoever.

5. Unneeded bed features? Well none, but the bedmat is pretty heavy. I cleaned it today and removed it completely. It would help to have an extra pair of hands. The tracks are gentle reminder of how to put it back correctly, so it matches the tracks in the midgate and the tailgate. It has to be put back correctly for the "water management system" to work.

6. last comments about the bed: Wonderful innovative GM design features like integrated grab handles, multiple tie downs, and a non slip mat are to die for. Just check the bed of a Ford Super Crew 150 and that bed is bare to the bones! I wish that a secondary switch for the lights exist inside the bed itself.

Good luck. Hope you get an "A" and a job offer from the General. ?(y)

Enclosed is a pic of the cargo bed so the next posters will have a "visual aid" to look at while formulating their answers for this brainstorming session...

cargobedav.jpg

 
1. None. I traded out of a '01 Silverado. I wanted a crew cab and the covered bed.

2. Just transporting stuff I usually would want dry. I moved the entire server room for my office in the back of my truck one load at a time.

3. I use the storage compartments for my tools and tie down materials.

4. The bed seems great to me. I have no complaints.

5. The tracks in the mat make it a bit hard to sweep out. But its not that hard.

6. If you are trying to keep it pretty, then you can't carry loads of rock. It is plastic.
 
motinacan said:
If you could answer any or all of these questions it would be greatly appreciated. ?Please put the number of the question before the answer
1. ?What other cars/trucks were you considering to buy?Why?
2. ?What do you use the truck/bed for?
3. ?What storage compartments are there in the bed? What do you think of them?
4. ?Are there any particular features you think are needed in the bed?
5. ?Are there any features that are unneeded but have come in the bed?
6. ?Any other comments concerning the bed?

Thank you for your cooperation. ?I have asked these questions because I am taking a design class as an engineering student. ?As a part of this class, my group has been presented with a project to improve upon the utilities and features of the bed of the Avalanche, specifically the sidewalls of the bed. ? Any information presented will not be connected with your username or identity in anyway. ? ?Thank You.
Click to expand...

1. Silverado or the new S10 Crew Cab.

2. I use it daily to drive to work, haven't used the bed for much at all yet, storage mostly.

3. You got the bed, and you got the 2 side compartments on the outside of the bed.

4. None that are NEEDED, but there are some that are nice enhancements, such as my soon to be installed CargoPro.

5. Nope.

6. No, other than I could sleep in it if I wanted to and stay covered!

(y)

Kim
 
1. What other cars/trucks were you considering to buy?Why?
2. What do you use the truck/bed for?
3. What storage compartments are there in the bed? What do you think of them?
4. Are there any particular features you think are needed in the bed?
5. Are there any features that are unneeded but have come in the bed?
6. Any other comments concerning the bed?
Click to expand...
1. Nothing else I am Chevrolet Loyal and I love the Av :love:
2. I use my truck bed for Sleeping/camping, hauling garbage, wood for the house, and my bike
3. The Topbox storage I use mine for coolers or my tow strap, and stuff
4. A 112 V out lite
5.None that I can think of
6. Make the mid-gate fold down level with the bed
 
1) I had a 02 Silverado. I wanted something bigger.
2) Everything you can use a truck for?towing, hauling, running over small cars?lol ;D
3) The side storage boxes are great. They need an inside access point.
4) The mid-gate window should roll down (power) into in mid-gate itself and a power outlet.
5) None
6) A power locking tailgate
 
1. ?We were considering a Silverado along with the Av.

2. ?We use the bed for lots of things. ?It gets used for hauling wood, rocks, lumber, tubs and water. ?When we hit the road for PA, the midgate gets folded down and the bed is used as a comfy place to sleep and there is PLENTY of heavy luggage back there which the Av handles like a champ.

3. ?Like everyone has said, there are side pockets (not accessible from the bed but from the outside). ?Sometimes I forget about them slightly but when I remember them, I put smaller things and drinks in them so when the drinks spill, there are handy little drain holes for it to escape ?:D. ?That's innovative design.

4. ?As for needed features in the bed, I feel that a tacky but not nearly as tacky as what we have rubber mat is needed. ?Things that are heavy are too hard to slide. ?Also, it would be neat if there was access to the side panels from the bed and if there were lock for the tailgate and cargo lamp buttons.

5. ?The only thing not needed in the bed in my mind is the tackiness of the cargo mat (I guess I'm a good candidate for the BedSlide ?;D - too bad they're too pricey for us ?:6: ).

6. ?In a sense, the bed is a huge reason for why the Av is the Av and why it even exists. ?The midgate, cargo panels and side bins make the Av an extremely versatile vehicle.

Good luck on your project - make sure to represent the Av well. ?It's truly a wonderful vehicle with an innovative design.
 
1 - No other car/truck as soon as I seen the Avalanche I was hooked but the next step was to bug the wife
2 - I use the bed for hualing Bricks, Potting Soil, lumber, Groceries, just about any thing I use it like a Truck.
3 - Top-Box Storage lockable , lighted storage compartments provide up to 1.7 cu. ft. of room each. I like to put in them Jumper cables, Tools, 2 foot light,
4 - A bed net would be nice.
5 - Nope.
6 - Cargo Box Light is a good feature.
 
motinacan said:
If you could answer any or all of these questions it would be greatly appreciated. ?Please put the number of the question before the answer
1. ?What other cars/trucks were you considering to buy?Why?
2. ?What do you use the truck/bed for?
3. ?What storage compartments are there in the bed? What do you think of them?
4. ?Are there any particular features you think are needed in the bed?
5. ?Are there any features that are unneeded but have come in the bed?
6. ?Any other comments concerning the bed?

Thank you for your cooperation. ?I have asked these questions because I am taking a design class as an engineering student. ?As a part of this class, my group has been presented with a project to improve upon the utilities and features of the bed of the Avalanche, specifically the sidewalls of the bed. ? Any information presented will not be connected with your username or identity in anyway. ? ?Thank You.
Click to expand...


1. Hummer H2, Silverado crew cab - both due to versatility although the Silverado, in my opinion, is clearly more versatile than the H2.

2. 4' x 8' sheets of stuff (plywood, sheetrock), lumber (just bought a new house), appliances, Sago palm tree moving (gift for the new house), camping stuff, offroading stuff (similar but different than camping stuff), groceries, tools, Costco (whatever they got goes in the back), etc.

3. Storage compartments should be more airtight to keep clouds of dust out. I'd pay more to have them lock/unlock with the rest of the vehicle's remote locking/unlocking feature. Lighting inside would be a big plus too.

4. Bed features - having a low profile, sliding/rollout feature would be nice! Also, the one gripe I have about the usefulness of the bed is accessibility. The old Chevy/GM station wagons used to have tailgates that swung out and slid down into the car ("disappearing tailgate"). I think a fold down and swing out tailgate (that still is completely removable) would be very valuable. That way we wouldn't have to reach all the way across the folded-down tailgate. Of course if it could fold down and disappear, that, to me, would be ideal. Otherwise, bed lighting should be automatic (going on/off with the opening of the tailgate (with a timer or override switch to turn it off if the tailgate is left down).

5. Nope. No unneeded features that I've noticed.

6. Having a removable storage rack on TOP of the bed would be very helpful. It could be a simple rack like the ones used by offroaders - a lightweight, open, tube steel construction that can carry a lot of items, have a reasonable weight capacity, and be easily removed for those times when the cargo bed covers need to be removed.

Good luck on your project!
 
Sounds like another student has another homework assignment. Rather than start a new thread for it, it makes more sense to continue the discussion here. This is the original post from that new thread:

darboo said:
Hello folks!!!

I am a student at Northwestern University's School of Enigeering. I have to complete a project that involves increasing the capacity of the Avalanche's bed-space. I was wondering if you guys could give me some feedback on some new features that my team and I came up with.

(1) Removable pods with these options:
a) A small, insulated cooler pod that attaches on the bed wall near the tailgate.
b) A small pod for groceries and such that can fit at multiple positions.
c) A larger pod that runs from the front to the back of the truck.

2) An outlet located just behind the driver's side on the bed wall. (front left)

3) A rectangular, covered compartment built into the bed's floor that holds the strap-on North Face tent and inflatable mattress.

4) More drainage holes in the center of the truck bed to remedy standing water

5) A plastic fishing pole tube that runs along the bed's side. A small door leading into the cab provides ample space for the length.

6) A lockable box dug out of the truck floor that is able to conceal items like, say, an ax.

7) Small speakers (with 4 inch radius) in the bed wall near the tailgate.

:cool: Built-in tracks that hold the three-piece bed cover in place on the truck floor (to accommodate tall items.



If there is anything that you guys can't seem to visualize please let me know and I will try to explain it in detail.

Thanks so much!!!!!!


Chevy all the way!!!
Click to expand...

I sure wish there was a cleaner way to move posts...

-- SS
 
Your ideas sound very interesting. My favorites are 12 volt outlet in bed and Improoved way to handle hard covers when not in use. I think the outlet would be much more useful if located in the rear of the bed though. It is more useful for tailgating and camping there. If there was some sort of "pass through" which has been suggested before in the midgate then a more forward outlet might be handy. Any way to make it easier to get to stowed cargo would be a great feature. The available bed slides for pickup beds are nice but some kind of integrated system would be more space efficient. Putting the hard panals in those bags is a chore for sure. Probably gets easier with practice, but some easier storage perhaps as part of an integrated cargo management system would be sure to lure repeat business from Ave owners.
 
motinacan said:
1. ?What other cars/trucks were you considering to buy?Why?
2. ?What do you use the truck/bed for?
3. ?What storage compartments are there in the bed? What do you think of them?
4. ?Are there any particular features you think are needed in the bed?
5. ?Are there any features that are unneeded but have come in the bed?
6. ?Any other comments concerning the bed?
Click to expand...

1. Under penalty of razzing fr/the rest of the folks here: I was looking at all quad cab trucks, mini & full size (incl. Toyota, Nissan, Dodge & Ford). Eliminated mini p/u b/c I wanted to keep the vehicle for 6-10 years, which means ensuring enough room for up to three adult sized boys in the back (my 15 year old is already over six feet, the other two aren't far behind). D/n care for new exterior of Dodge. The Av eventually won out over Ford Supercrew b/c liked the styling a bit more (I don't mind "Av ugly") and pricing worked better for me.

2. Mostly carrying around odds & ends. Expectation was based on light hauling for household chores (e.g. occasional loads of plants/barkdust/Home Depot runs)

3. Very much like them. Still waiting for the opportunity to fill with beer & ice (I haven't had the truck in the summer yet).

4. The bed mat is good, but heavy. And should not have all the angles - takes a bit of extra time to wash out all the nooks and crannies.

5. A permanent coating to the bed floor would have been better. A 12v outlet is an ace of an idea.
 
1. MB ML 320. I had researched a number of vehicles and the ML was going to satisfy my need for an SUV. However, the more I analyzed the Av, I discovered it would meet my needs better and, of course, was miles cooler.

2. Carrying various things including large reptile cages and large speaker cabinets.

3. I would add inside hatches to the top box storage compartments, as I've seen someone else do with the Snugtop installation.

4. Are there any particular features you think are needed in the bed?
- 12 volt DC outlet
- 120 v AC outlet
- air compressor outlet
- two pass-through hatches on the midgate so you would only need to lower one seat to use it.
- side cargo gates, as seen in some concepts. You can load gear into the side of the bed.
- integral satellite speakers
- integral tent/bed enclosure that would be stowed and quickly deployed from the top bed panels. This could be setup for camping or used in the summer to just get some shade for sitting in the bed. This is not the available camping tent, but a more integral and flexible alternative.
- Integral beer tap, refrigeration unit, and delivery system. :eek: >:D

5. No.

6. No other comments concerning the bed.
 
1. My Expedition lease was expiring. We had seen the first Avalanche's at the 2001 Brickyard 400. We knew from that point on, that would replace the Expedition. No other consideration was on the table.
2. 1400 lbs of landscape bricks, 800 lbs of lumber and 1600 lbs of QuikCrete.
3. None in the bed. Side pockets though store my hitch receiver and accessories, tow strap, extra winter hat & gloves, California Duster, microfiber towels for drying, extra gallon of windshield washer fluid, extra quart of oil, jumper cables and 2 wool blankets just in case.
4. Only feature I'd like to see is a power lock on the tailgate and a recoil-like spring to ease in closure.
5. Having the dual-purpose cargo lights is a plus.
6. Sticky mat makes it difficult retrieving groceries/supplies that are farther in the bed than a couple feet. If the bed slides weren't so expensive, I'd already have one installed.

Jamie
 
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