pushing avalanche to the limit towing

So I am in the process of getting a new job 1,000 miles away from my current home. That is the great news and the start of a new problem. I have a Chevy Avalanche 1500 z71 for a daily driver, I need to haul my blazer, southbend lathe, bridgeport mill, bandsaw, and toolbox. I really dont have the option of multiple trips and upgrading to bigger truck isnt in the budget. They say the stock towing capacity is 8000lbs for my truck. All the equipment, blazer, and trailer I will probably be around the 10,000lb mark. I have already looked into adding brake controller, trans temp gauge, and a set of 2500lb bags over the axle to help transfer weight back on to the front wheels. My truck is equipped with a factory trans cooler but considered upgrading to a bigger one. I know this a hell of a task, but its a one way haul that will happen one time at the capacity. The trip is mostly flat not real hills to contend with.

Please weigh in on the topic, need to know if my little truck can do it.

Rent another vehicle?

I've towed a 10,000lbs camper with my Avalanche with no issues like 600 miles round trip to the deer lease, no bags and stock trans cooler

The auto makers under-rate the written towing capacity of vehicles because of people like you and me. So it will tow just fine, that is as long as you are correct in assuming the total weight is 10,000lbs, and the trailer can carry the 10,000lbs. Id be planning on a slow and steady road trip.
With that said, stopping WILL be a thing that needs to be considered. The trailer breaks are real nice to have, but I would upgrade the Avalanche's brakes for sure. $200-$400 for drilled/slotted rotors and Kevlar pads is well worth the money for the extra stopping power. Relying on trailer brakes to stop the 10,000lb load is scary to me. Everything that you upgrade will raise the towing capacity in some form.
I have a 2005 Toyota Tundra Double cab that is rated at 6800lbs, but tows my 7500lbs without a problem. I have a 24' enclosed trailer with brakes that I tow my mini in. Tundra has 2600lb slam-bags in the back and traction bars. Front has slotted rotors, Kevlar pads, Fab-Tech adjustable coilovers, Truck has 9" lift, and is on 20" rims with 37" tires. Its got .456 gears. Just to get the details out there. It tows real nice on the flats, and does well with slight inclines. But the big-ass hills that we have out here slow me down to 55mph. But that's the legal towing speed in California anyway.


:XL:

Didnt plan on setting any land speed records getting there was just nervous. You guys have put me at ease some. I just cant see selling all the machinery.

Keep in mind as well, if ANYTHING happens you can kiss any insurance coverage you have goodbye.

y dont you just put the tools onto a tractor trailer.... freight is cheaper than a flipped over truck and a hospital visit or a funeral... just my 2 cents

--------------------------------------------

rizz0 said:

y dont you just put the tools onto a tractor trailer.... freight is cheaper than a flipped over truck and a hospital visit or a funeral... just my 2 cents

--------------------------------------------

hell wouldnt freight be cheaper than buying bags and trans cooler and bigger brakes and brake controller and whatever else your planning on buying just to make the trip. not to mention the fact that you have to take all the time to install all that stuff or pay someone to. just ship the blazer or ship some of the stuff.

Not to mention the abuse on the rear end. We put 3 rear ends in a Tahoe due to towing a Pontoon boat and a pop up all the time with it.

freight quotes for the machinery is running between $1735 upwards $4000. I hate to sell it all, i have invested all the time into it just to go down buy it again and start over.