Hey all you Cheby Avalanche owners!
 

Just bought me a 2002 Cheby 2500 Avalance to pull the Sonic. It's got the 8.1 Vortec.

For those who own one, what kind of boat are you pulling?

Unfortunately, I bought one with 3.73 gears in the rear without knowing. To late to take back to get 4.10 gears. I still think I can pull my boat. It's 8400 lbs. dry and an eagle trailer. I'm guessing 10,000 to 11,000 lbs total.

Hey Love Machine..
With a 8100 motor that truck will pull 8-9000 lbs without even breaking a sweat... 3:73 gears are the gears you want better fuel mileage and lower rpm when not towing a trailer .. The tow switch on the shifter will do all the work for you when you tow ..Aw-some truck you will be happy:D the truck makes all its HP in the upper revs anyway so if you need more pull drop a gear
Enjoy !!
Bob Jordan

Ditto--- The 3.73 is the gear to have.

Thanks. I feel better now.

Man, I laugh everytime I see your name!:D

THANKS!!:D :D :D
Work for a GMC dealer... the 8100 or the Duramax Rock!!!
You really wont be disapointed!!
ps Love your avitar!!!!:p

Gas mileage? Since when are powerboaters worried about gas mileage?
I pull my 42 Sonic with a 2500 with the 8.1 Vortec and 4:10 rear end. When I'm not towing the boat I drag race it. The 4:10 rocks on holes shots.

Towed a pantera 24' from Conn. to Fla., Pulled it no problem!! Also have 3.73, 6" lift kit, Love It!! Dave B.

Avalanche
 

The 8100 is a great motor. The 3.73 will pull the boat no problem, and I think it is rated to pull 10500 lbs. You may want to invest in some firestone air lifts for the rear end if the boat is nose heavy on the trailer.

I have the 8100 w/4.10 and I pulled the horse trailer this past weekend like it wasn't even there.

Wannabe

My 35' Cig and trailer weigh pretty close to 12k, which is what my '04 AV 2500/8.1/4.10 is rated at and it's no problem at all. Granted, I've only towed it about 20 miles, but other than a little increase in braking distance, you hardly know it's back there. Another cool feature is the power extendable/retractable side mirrors.

My only complaint with the 8.1/4.10 combo is the 11-12 mpg average fuel economy. With a 37 gallon tank it's $60 each fill up. Some gas stations only preauth your credit card for $50 which means you have to swip your card a second time after the first $50. Needless to say, people waiting behind you at the pump aren't always nice about waiting so long.

Do like we do go in the store throw your card at the cashier and say "Pump #3, #5 and #7" One in the Excursion and two in the boat. then the people behind you will only wait 20 minutes! :rolleyes:

Monty
 

Wow, I just filled today at $ 1.65 w/ 27 gallons came to $45. I rarely go below 1/4 tank though.

Even so that is almost 300+ miles between fills. $ 60 would be 36 gallons, that's running on fumes.

I don't think the 3.73 will get much better mileage, the 8100 just sucks it up.

Love Machine- make sure you have brakes on the boat trailer.

Wannabe

Unfortunately, the Chicago area has some of the highest gas prices in the country. I'm paying $1.75+ for 87 octane, but yeah, I usually end up putting between 33-35 gallons in it at a time.

Thanks everyone for the feedback. I can't wait to try it out.

RJ340 - Yeah, I think I may do some drag racing too. This thing really scoots! :)

Wannabe - I was thinking about adding extra leaf springs to the rear, but air bags are probably the way to go. Also, I have a nice Eagle trailer with surge brakes.

Quit your whining! Our BEST priced station (and by that I mean Arco gas) is $2.05 a gallon right now for 87 octane.

Love Machine
 

Extra leafs will really stiffen the ride. Air Bags are the way to go. I think the Firestone kit is the best. Do a search on Firestine Air Ride, should come up w/ the site.

Sydwayz on this board has air liifts in his 2500.

Wannabe

You guys need to buy gas in the St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands ---- $2.20 per gallon!!! Try fulling up a 37' Powerboat (250 gals)....you need to apply for a loan every trip out & don't go 2 far or 2 fast. After a while you appreciate the scenery a much slower pace.