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Why Newer Avalanche's Have A Lower Tow Rating?

NerdDatDrives

New Member
Joined
Dec 13, 2020
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Just got me a 2004 Chevy Avalanche with 126k Miles on it, I'm in love with it. In the midst of doing the research before purchasing one, I found that for some reason the newer avalanche's seem to have a lower towing capacity than the older ones, especially between the two generations of avvs. I was wondering if anyone knew why this was, a difference in the frame? Transmission? Diffs? Primarily wondering because later on in my Avalanche's life (or earlier we'll see) I would like to swap out the transmission for a 6 speed (probably along with a 6.0L swap), mostly for performance. Would doing so lower the towing capacity or is there different reasons for the lower towing capacity on the newer models.
 
The second gen AVs came out when gas prices were high and the government was insisting on better fuel mileage figures overall. So the gearing and transmissions were changed to get better mileage at the expense of loosing some torque and in effect towing capacity.
Many members instead of changing gears just installed a Magnussen supercharger to get the increased torque in the lower rpm range we normally drive in and when not being used you would not suffer much in MPG too.
 
The second gen AVs came out when gas prices were high and the government was insisting on better fuel mileage figures overall. So the gearing and transmissions were changed to get better mileage at the expense of loosing some torque and in effect towing capacity.
Many members instead of changing gears just installed a Magnussen supercharger to get the increased torque in the lower rpm range we normally drive in and when not being used you would not suffer much in MPG too.
Okay, thanks, that's what I was afraid of. I've heard of the Magnussen supercharger, but I'm not sure I'd like to dedicate that much money towards performance, and even if I was going to, that would be farther down the line, after I make sure I'm comfortable with the longevity of it. Any cheaper options to get noticeable performance differences? I know I could just keep piling on small mod after small mod, but beyond that is there anything I could do to it?
 
Tune is cheap power
 
Okay, thanks, that's what I was afraid of. I've heard of the Magnussen supercharger, but I'm not sure I'd like to dedicate that much money towards performance, and even if I was going to, that would be farther down the line, after I make sure I'm comfortable with the longevity of it. Any cheaper options to get noticeable performance differences? I know I could just keep piling on small mod after small mod, but beyond that is there anything I could do to it?
Performance gains in-between tune and supercharger could be a cam swap if you want to improve on your current 5.3 instead of motor swap.


This is one of the kits Texas-Speed offers

  • Stage 1 208/214: +45.1 HP & +21.5 TQ
  • Stage 2 212/218: +51.4 HP & 22.9 TQ
  • Stage 3 216/220: +53.4 HP & 22.0 TQ
Keep in mind that these gains are compared at the peak HP and TQ numbers. Our cams gained as much as 70+ HP and TQ at other points in the dyno graph, and NONE of these camshafts lose any HP or TQ at 2,000 RPM! You can see each of the dyno graphs for each camshaft listed on our website.
 
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Newer AVs have the self leveling systems and it dramatically decrease the towing capacity. I have a 2013 LTZ Black Diamond and I’m only rated to tow 5100lbs. The toy hauler I’m looking to buy is 5048lbs, so before I get it, I upgraded the rear air shocks, I’m upgrading the springs, and adding the upgraded rubber bump stops. I’m calculating that with a weight distribution kit and these upgrades, I shouldn’t get any dip when I hook it up. Fingers crossed 😂
 
Newer AVs have the self leveling systems and it dramatically decrease the towing capacity. I have a 2013 LTZ Black Diamond and I’m only rated to tow 5100lbs. The toy hauler I’m looking to buy is 5048lbs, so before I get it, I upgraded the rear air shocks, I’m upgrading the springs, and adding the upgraded rubber bump stops. I’m calculating that with a weight distribution kit and these upgrades, I shouldn’t get any dip when I hook it up. Fingers crossed 😂
Sounds like all those mods will make it handle the weight when stopped. To change your gearing and adding a transmission cooler will help when you are moving down the road. Especially if you don't increase torque with a tune, cam change or supercharger.
Good luck.
 
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