Fill the back of the dually with cement before the tow off. There will still be enough power in that old 454 to get the job done in 4- Low

If its a 3/4 Avalanche, it has the 8.1L 496 engine and 4L85E 4 spd. automatic transmission; also known as the M32. This is the ONLY configuration the truck was offered with.

The AV has either 3.73 rear end or 4.10 rear end. This can be verified by looking in the glovebox and finding GT4 (3.73) or GT5 (4.10) in the build codes.

The worst part about the 2500 Avalanche is the 496's timing is retarded to reduce power/torque when the truck is in first gear (manually in 1st or while starting in drive), to protect the transmission. The 4L85E was designed for the 6.0L; and the 496 with full power will rip first gear out of a 4L85E transmission. Diablo Predator Tuner can be used to take some of the power reduction out, but some of the reduction still remains.

Not the 8.1......then he has the 6.0 with the 3.73's. Same set up in my 2500 Burb. He just spent 5K and needs a ride to Walmart for a Timex!!!!!

I'm glad you're really up on all the chevy power, I'm not, and neither is he. He does'nt even know what engine he has in it other than it's the "stock" one that they come with. He just bought it used last fall for his son. Maybe it could have that 8.1, I don't really know, I've never even seen it. But, he thinks that because it's newer, it'll pull and tow the 41 Apache better than a "94" 3500 dually.

During the "pull off" the dually will have the tongue in the reciever turned up side down to put the ball as high as possible. Therefore, being higher, when the other truck starts to pull, it will be kinda lifting itself off the ground on the rear end. The dually on the other hand will be getting dragged downward, planting the tires into the pavement.

I just can't see a 2500 "pickup" pulling and towing a big Apache better than a 3500 dually. PERIOD. I don't care if it's a 1983 dually, it's still a 1 ton 4X4 big block dually. BTW, The dually is a real low mileage truck. Runs like new.

AMEN- Both trucks are under the GCVW.

A 41 Apache and a trailer is at least 14,000 + lbs.

Avalanche 2500 is rated at 12,000. I know i have one.

Wannabe

What is the 3500 dually rated at? I could'nt even believe that a 2500 is rated higher than a 3500 for towing. The Avy guy says that his truck is rated for 12K, I said "no way" it's only a 3/4 ton. So does this mean that all 2500 series trucks are rated the same??? I'm confused now. How about a 2500 suburban??? still 12K???

Thanks for everybody's input. I knew this would get interesting.

the 2500's with 8.1L engines and 4.10 gears are rated at 12,000. now with the 6.0L and 4.10 gears, its 8200

GVWR = Gross Vehicle Weight Rating

Truck + Trailer + Cargo = GVWR

Nothing under a 2 ton truck is rated for that. Have to be F-550 or bigger. Chevy Top Kick or Kodiak. Medium duty Freightliner etc.

The 2500 Avalanche w/ 4x4 and 4.10 rear end is rated for 12,000 lbs towing. If you are using the factory Class-III hitch, you need a WD setup to be legal and within rating. If you are using a Putnam or Reese Class-V hitch, you can tow the 12,000 lbs with a WC hitch.

The 2500 Suburban and YukonXL WITH THE 8.1L/496 are also rated to tow 12,000 lbs configured above. I believe the 4x2s are the same; and when equipped with the 6.0L; they are rated for 10,000 lbs.

Per Edmunds.com; the 1994 3500 Dually is only rated to tow 10,000 lbs.

This whole thing sounds to me like it will require an official beer holder.