We have the 1/2 ton version of the Avalanche but my question is would it be enough to pull a 260LS...?

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Glenn Jones
2007 - 240LS, Onyx/Moonstone ,6.2L/B3,
Razor Graphics,Xtreme Tower ,Corsa Exhaust.
Deluxe Social Swim Platform,

Calgary,Alberta,Canada

Glenn, You'll get all sorts of answers to this type of question, but I would say, without knowing all the specs (weight of boat, towing capacity, etc) that the short answer is "yes." The correct answer is most likely "no."

Can it tow it? I'm sure it can. Can it tow it up good hills? Not nearly as well. Should it be towing it? Probably not. You have to look at the total weight of the boat compared to the towing capaicty of the truck....PLUS all of your passengers and equipment. Add 4 adults to the weight of the boat if they're in the Avalanche with you, add the coolers, add the fuel, etc. A fully loaded 260 with a few adults is probably beyond the capacity of a 1/2 ton truck.

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Crownline Airlines 2001 202BR with WakeAir tower

I think that its possible.  I had a 2003 av, with 4.10 gears and the 5.3 and it was fine towing my 266ccr.  I had bigger brakes/rotors put on also.  I am not sure what the weight difference between the 2 boats are, but i would imagine that they are close.  I had a tandem trailer with brakes and never had a problem.  With the 4.10 gears, the Av is rated about 8700lbs (I think.)  I don't own the vehicle or boat anymore.  I got rid of it when I got my 275ccr, as it wasn't enough vehicle for that boat.

Glenn, you already looking to go up from the 240 already?

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Craig and Marci
Zach, Brady and Caden
2005 275CCR, 496 mag

That's what I kind of figured.  Someone said that the boat is 6000lbs not including the trailer which I'm guessing would be at least 1000lbs.  The towing capacity of the truck is 7200.  I wouldn't be able to pull it legally with a full tank of gas,  Oh well.. I could have traded straight across for a 2006 with 30 hours on it.

 

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Glenn Jones
2007 - 240LS, Onyx/Moonstone ,6.2L/B3,
Razor Graphics,Xtreme Tower ,Corsa Exhaust.
Deluxe Social Swim Platform,

Calgary,Alberta,Canada

I have a CL 240EX (~6000 lbs loaded excluding trailer) and I had an ’03 Avalanche 4x4.  There were no mods to my Avalanche.  It was a great truck and ran fine.  However, I had to sell it as it didn't perform as needed at all times.

It would launch/retrieve my 240 fine and would pull it "okay" at normal highway speeds but would slow dramatically when trying to climb hills (not that steep of hills either).  As it tried to climb, it would lose speed and I could barely keep it above the speed limit until the hill was passed.

Stopping was another problem.  It would stop fine on normal stops but I had a couple of "oh crap" moments and had to urgently stop.  It just couldn't stop as quickly as I had hoped so I had to do some creative driving.  I didn't hit anything but I did leave a pucker mark on the driver’s seat.

Additionally, it needed a lift kit in the back as it would a sag great deal.  I had to replace the shocks.  I sold it for a larger tow vehicle.  I could have gotten a smaller boat but I think that goes against man-law.

 My recommendation is “pass” on the Avalanche for a towing a boat that size.  

 

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Best regards,
Kevin Kidd
KiddnAround - 240EX VP DP

 A lot has to do with the hitch on the vehicle. If it's a factory installed trailer hitch, I would think your limitations lay within the specifications/capacity of the trailer hitch. I don’t think that any car/truck manufacturer would install a hitch that is rated for more than that specific vehicle could safely tow.

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2000-225CCR / 2005-250CR / 2008-340CR
////ROCK'Y/////GET-A-WAY////////////////

Everybody is going to have a different opinion on this but I think a majority of folks that do "alot" of towing will tell you "NO".

 We bought a 2006 236LS (230BR) in May of 2006.  I had a 2004 Chevy Tahoe with the 5.3 and it did a great job towing our 202BR.  We boat all year round but most of our towing is to a local ramp about 20 minutes away.

When we took delivery of the 236LS we didn't have any problems towing with the Tahoe.  When we had to tow over the Skyway Bridge we would just get a good amount of speed up and hope the truck didn't downshift like crazy.  It did a good job.  But then we towed to Lake Cumberland, KY and that changed my opinion.

The power isn't really an issue because you're just going to get worse gas mileage and slower up hill speeds.  The problems with 1/2 ton towing vehicles are:

1. Tires (Look at the ratings on your tires.  Very similar to a car tire.  That's what causes the bouncing and swaying when a semi goes blowing by you)

2. Suspension  (Same problems as #1)

3. Brakes (Sure your trailer has brakes but what about the emergency stopping situations

4. Transmission (You're going to put alot of stress on the transmission if it's having to shift alot)

After we got back from Cumberland I started looking for a 3/4 ton pickup.  I bought a 2006 F250 with the 6.0 Powerstroke.  Now, I'm not saying you have to buy a diesel but everything else that comes with a 3/4 ton is a blessing when you're towing to places like Cumberland or Norris.  You can't even tell there is a boat behind you.  The transmission doesn't hunt for gears, the cruise control works great, stopping is effortless, etc.  And with the bigger truck, we don't have to worry about the day we get our 4 foot itis.

 The 1/2 ton pickup market is really starting to increase the tow capacities.  I know the new F150 and the new Chevy 1500's all have abtou 10,000 pound capacities.  The Vortec Max 6.0 seems like it would make a great gas towing motor.  But if it were me and I was going to upgrade to a bigger tow vehicle I would still look at a diesel for the resale value and the gas mileage.

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Well as long as I don't have any problems with the Ava pulling the 240 I'm fine with that.  The furthest that I would have to tow is 40 miles one way for winterizing and the road is a little hilly but not to bad.  Our truck has the 3:73 gears though but it was fine for a 26' travel trailer and for the 202 we had.

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Glenn Jones
2007 - 240LS, Onyx/Moonstone ,6.2L/B3,
Razor Graphics,Xtreme Tower ,Corsa Exhaust.
Deluxe Social Swim Platform,

Calgary,Alberta,Canada

I doubt you'll have any problems.  You just won't be breaking any speed records.  This will be our third year towing out of state for a trip so I'm glad I upgraded.  But we could have kept the Tahoe and been OK. 

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Well that's good to hear.  Don't want to be needing to look for a new tow vehicle. 

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Glenn Jones
2007 - 240LS, Onyx/Moonstone ,6.2L/B3,
Razor Graphics,Xtreme Tower ,Corsa Exhaust.
Deluxe Social Swim Platform,

Calgary,Alberta,Canada

We tow our 21 classic withour 1/2 ton Z71 and thought it did ok .. even took it to the MiSouth rally in 06 up  into AR .. but then we used a 06 F250 from my wifes work one weekend and I have not felt the same about my truck since.. I didnt even know the boat was back there and stopping WOW!!  what a difference...  I anlw have a 21' boat and I work my truck pretty good I would not what to pull anything bigger than what I have .. maybe as fay as I would go would be a 225 but thats it,,,I hope to get a 3/4 f250 before next season,, I need one more out of mine then our son gets it and I get a new(er) one...lol

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'06 21 Classic
FUELISH PLEASURES
Garland, TX

I'd be a little nervous.  I guess it depends on the elevation change.  Our Z71 works pretty hard with our 19SS on hills, especially getting up the Alligator 2 hill at Lake Cumberland.

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2007 19SS 4.3L Moonrock (Purdue Old Gold)

I pulled our 208LX and the 202LPX with no problems and at hi-way speeds.  Slowed a little on hills but never felt uneasy about towing it.

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Glenn Jones
2007 - 240LS, Onyx/Moonstone ,6.2L/B3,
Razor Graphics,Xtreme Tower ,Corsa Exhaust.
Deluxe Social Swim Platform,

Calgary,Alberta,Canada

I think alot has to depend on your towing habits. We own a 03 Chevy Silverado, 5.3,auto 6 lug w/ tow package. I added new tires, large tranny cooler and air bags to the rear. We are towing a 266 LTD w/ tandam trailer. Now our habits, Our home lake is only 20 mins away, and it's all highway. We travel about 4 times a year 4 to 7 hrs away and LOTO & Table Rock being the toughest due to all the hills. It handles everything just fine without any problems to date, but if I was to travel like that all the time,then I'd have to move up to a 3/4 ton just for piece of mind. Besides the thing that has always been told to me is you could hook up almost anything to pull your boat with, it'll do But will it Stop it!

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2001 266 LTD 496 Mag W/ BIII
" More Nauti Medicine "