Now it is my turn?

[Duck Vader]

[quote=""mjannusch""]

The midgate comes in handy if you need to pick up something long from Home Depot. Just fold the rear seats down and drop the midgate and leave the crossbar and the glass in place and you have to the height of the tonneau covers open to the cab. If you need something taller to fit, before you drop the midgate you just undo two easy clamps at the roof for the glass, and slide the glass into notches in the midgate and turn two dials to lock it in there, then drop the midgate and it also drops the bar attached to the midgate. Then you've got room up to the glass weatherstripping available. Try that with a Silverado or F150.

[/quote]

That is the ONLY thing that keeps me coming back to the Avalanche.

For the same amount of money I can get a lower mileage F-150 or Silverado with all the same interior comforts.

For instance something like this. 20k less miles than the white one I was looking at but for the same price. https://portland.craigslist.org/clc/ctd ... 13395.html. Would not buy from them, but you get the idea.

[Duck Vader]

Then there is of course getting something like this for $8k - https://portland.craigslist.org/clk/ctd ... 14902.html - but that is a lot of miles and will require a lot more $ to keep it going well into the 200k+ miles range.

[mjannusch]

If the midgate doesn't provide specific value to your use cases, then there's really no reason to restrict yourself to the Avalanche. Any crew cab short-box 4x4 truck will be similar and may be able to tow more. You'd always only have the short box, but 99% of the time that doesn't matter much. Add some sort of secure lockable tonneau cover and you have similar security to the Avalanche's rear. For sure widens the market of trucks that would work, so you can find a better deal easier.

[Duck Vader]

Midgate does provide value for us though. Just not sure if enough value.

[Duck Vader]

As much as I prefer the exterior styling of a GM, I must admit, the interior of the newer Ford F-150s is more comfortable for me.

So basically it will probably come down to two things. 2009-2013 Avalanche or 2011+ F-150.

Can get a lower mileage and newer and perhaps more reliable F-150 for the same price as an Avalanche, but lose the mid-gate option.

I have driven both and they are both comfortable for me (Ford actually a little more). Both ride while. Just trying to decide of the mid-gate is worth it. Ugh. I hate myself.

[Duck Vader]

https://portland.craigslist.org/clk/ctd ... 31191.html

[Duck Vader]

Hate the idea of buying from those shady car dealers though.

[Duck Vader]

Interesting turn of event might have just happened.

Wife really wants me to start looking at trucks that can tow either a travel trailer or fifth wheel. Looks like around an average dry weight of 5000-8000 lbs for a travel trailer or 7000-12000 for a 5th wheel.

Might have to start looking in HD trucks now.

[mjannusch]

Give it a couple weeks and you’ll want something else. Lol

[Duck Vader]

Probably.

I know it is going to be a truck. Just not sure what one at this point right now. Still leaning a bit towards the Avalanche but if trying to plan long term might make more sense to pick up something else. Going to do more research.

Since we have been married my wife has been bugging me to get a camper. We just don't have a place to store one right now or a way to haul one or we would probably already have one.

[ChargerX3]

[quote=""mjannusch""]Give it a couple weeks and you’ll want something else. Lol[/quote]

[Chris GTO TT]

What kind of travel trailers are you looking at? There are plenty of great ones in the 4500-6500lb GVWR class. Unless you have a real need for a 27-34' giant trailer you're typically better served with a 20-25' trailer.

[Duck Vader]

Been looking at the 2016 and newer f150 with the trailer assist feature. Wife can't back up more than out of a parking space let alone a trailer if needed. The trailer assist would make it a lot easier for her. Hell even for me it would be nice. Going to look over some numbers and see if we can pull off a 2016 or newer crew cab f150 with that feature. Saw some for mid 20s but with near 100k on them already.

[mjannusch]

Avalanche will never pull a 5th wheel, but honestly if you are towing a 5th wheel - that's a big freakin' trailer. We went through several camper iterations (including an RV) and I think the best one was reasonably sized for the three of us and probably the lightest out of all them. The more length, the tougher to maneuver into position into some campsites, as well as around gas stations and such.

Depending on the hitch you use, it may take up a quite a bit of space in the box of your truck.

Most trailers that are reasonable are regular hitch trailers. If you ever get something like that, get a weight-distributing hitch with the torsion bars. That really makes towing a lot easier on the truck, and greatly reduces the possibility of the trailer swaying around.

I haven't tried a truck with the trailer assist feature, but it does seem very helpful if you aren't used to backing up trailers. I'd worry that a person using that might not pay as much attention to their surroundings and end up backing the trailer into something.

My brother-in-law has I think a 2013 crew cab F150 with the bigger Ecoboost motor in it and he pulls around an enclosed trailer that they use for food vending and BBQ competitions. Says it tows great for that. I don't think it has given him any problems, and they drive the shit out of it and are usually towing something most of the time (camper trailer, vending trailer, big BBQ smoker on a trailer, bass boat).

[Duck Vader]

I want an Avalanche for the mid-gate, but thinking long term, it might be better to buy a 2016+ F-150 with a tow package. Newer. More features. Better towing. More comfortable. BUT, too new to really know long term reliability?

[Chris GTO TT]

Nah the 2015-2017 F150 uses the same 5.0 as the previous generation, and the 3.5 EcoBoost got the upgraded timing set that resolved a lot of its longer term issues. Even the 2.7 EcoBoost is seen as a reliable option.

[DCIV]

How much the ecoboost 3.5’s going for?


Coop

[Duck Vader]

Used market looks like mid 20s to mid 30s depending on mileage and options.

[DCIV]

Damn. I would go with a crew cab 3.5 ecoboost. Still too much for me.


Coop

[Duck Vader]

How many miles is too many miles on a 2016 or newer?

I think I will prefer a 3.5 Eco (still need to test drive both), but found this 5.0 for cheap, but has 91k on it already - https://www.platinummotorspdx.com/2016_ ... 14647.veh#