The Chevy Avalanche was introduced into Chevy’s lineup as a pickup truck in 2002 and remained available through 2013. The Avalanche was known for its unique styling and for having the features consumers expect from SUVs, including towing. But what is the towing capacity of a Chevy Avalanche?
The Chevy Avalanche has a towing capacity of up to 12,000 pounds depending on the year, if it is 2WD or 4WD, engine size, axle ratio, and if it has an HD cooling package.
There’s a bit more to know about Chevy Avalanche towing capabilities which we’ll cover in today’s guide.
2013 Chevy Avalanche Towing Capacity
The 2013 Chevy Avalanche can tow between 4,900 lbs and 8,100 lbs depending on if it is 2WD or 4WD, the engine size, the axle ratio, and whether or not it has an HD cooling package.
Refer to the chart below to find how much your 2013 Chevy Avalanche can tow.
You can also read our guide on what makes a vehicle towing capacity to learn all the aspects that go into it.
Here’s a video showing the Chevy Avalanche being put to a real-world towing test:
Chevy Avalanche Braked Vs. Unbraked Towing Capacity
All vehicles have different towing capacities based on whether or not you’re towing a trailer that has trailer brakes installed.
Trailer brakes allow the trailer to stop faster than if only the vehicle is using its brakes, allowing the vehicle to tow more weight, so braked towing capacity will always be higher than unbraked towing capacity.
Chevy Avalanche Braked Tow Capacity: up to 12,000 lbs.
Chevy Avalanche Unbraked Tow Capacity: 2,500 lbs.
Chevy Avalanche Towing Capacity Factors
There are a few factors that affect the Chevy Avalanche tow capacity.
Model Year
The Avalanche’s tow capability varied a lot by year and generation.
The early model years had a max towing capability ranging from 4,900 lbs to 12,000 lbs, while the later models can only tow up to 8,100 pounds.
Engine Size
Most Chevy Avalanche model years had the towing capacities designated by engine. Typically, the more powerful the engine, the more the vehicle can tow.
Axle Ratio
The greater the axle ratio, the more towing power the Avalanche had. This is true for all model years.
2WD vs 4WD
Whether or not your Avalanche was 2WD or 4WD also affected how much it can tow.
4WD Avalanches typically had greater towing power than the 2WD versions.
Number of Passengers
A big factor in calculating your vehicle’s towing capacity is how many passengers you’re carrying, which directly calculates into the vehicle’s GCWR.
This is true of all vehicles, not just the Chevy Avalanche, so always take into consideration the total load of your passengers and gear in addition to what you’re towing.
Chevy Avalanche Engine Specs
There is only one engine option for the most recent generation Chevy Avalanche.
Chevy Avalanche 5.3L V8 Engine
The most recent Chevy Avalanche engine was a 5.3 Liter V8 16-valve engine paired with a six-speed transmission.
This engine produced 320 horsepower and 335 lb.-ft of torque.
Chevy Avalanche Tow Package Info
Does The Chevy Avalanche Have A Tow Package?
Chevy offered a Avalanche towing package which included the following:
- Class III or Class IV Hitch Receiver
- 7-Pin Wiring Harness
There was also an optional HD cooling package for some model years, which increased the tow rating.
Can You Install A Trailer Hitch On a Chevy Avalanche?
If you plan on towing anything with your Chevy Avalanche, you’ll need a tow hitch and wiring harness.
Depending on what you’re towing, you’re going to need a ball mount (aka a trailer ball hitch) so you can attach items for towing.
Make sure to get the right trailer ball size that matches your hitch and trailer.
Chevy Avalanche Tow Hitch
Trailer hitches come in different hitch classes, which are rated for different vehicle sizes and weight limits.
The Chevy Avalanche uses a Class 3 hitch.
Here’s a great option for a Class III Chevy Avalanche trailer hitch:
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Here’s a great ball mount option so you can hook up different types of trailers for towing with your Avalanche:
- DEPENDABLE STRENGTH. Rated to tow 3,500 pounds gross trailer weight and 350 pounds tongue weight, this ball hitch offers dependability for your towing setup (weight capacity may change if trailer ball is removed)
- VERSATILE USE. This trailer hitch ball mount comes with a 1-1/4-inch shank to fit virtually any industry-standard 1-1/4-inch receiver. The ball mount has a 3-1/4-inch drop, 2-inch diameter ball, 1/2-inch hitch pin hole and 7-1/4-inch overall length
- READY TO TOW. Hitching up your trailer is easy with this ready-to-use trailer hitch ball mount. It comes with a pre-attached tow ball for ready coupling and a trailer hitch pin to securely mount onto your hitch receiver
- CORROSION-RESISTANT. For long-lasting use, this ball hitch is protected with a durable black powder coat finish, and the trailer ball has a polished chrome plating. These finishes resist damage from rain, dirt, road salt and other corrosive threats
- EASY TO INSTALL. To install the trailer hitch ball mount on your vehicle, simply insert the shank into your vehicle's 1-1/4-inch hitch receiver. The rounded shank makes installation easy
Chevy Avalanche Trailer Hitch Installation
Always follow the manufacturer’s directions and use proper safety precautions.
Here’s a great video walkthrough on a Chevy Avalanche trailer hitch installation:
Chevy Avalanche Trailer Hitch Installation Cost
If you’re considering having a tow hitch added to your Avalanche, expect to pay between $100 and $200 to have a tow package professionally installed (excluding the cost of the tow hitch and wiring harness).
If you’re handy and looking to save money, you can install the trailer hitch and wiring harness yourself.
Hitch Receiver Vs Rear Step Bumper Towing
Some vehicles allow for bumper towing, which means you can mount a tow hitch ball directly on the bumper instead of installing a tow hitch to the vehicle’s frame.
Can I Bumper Tow With a Chevy Avalanche?
The Chevy Avalanche stock bumper is not rated for bumper towing, so you’ll need to install a frame-mounted hitch like the one we listed earlier in this guide or an aftermarket bumper with a hitch ball on it.
How Do I Know If My Chevy Avalanche Has A Tow Package?
You can start by looking under the rear bumper of your Avalanche to see if you notice a trailer hitch or trailer ball.
That will give you a good indication of if you have a tow hitch already installed on your Avalanche.
Another way to research this is by checking the paperwork that came with your vehicle or taking it to a local dealer to see what’s installed.
Make sure to have your VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) handy if you call the dealer so they can look up the exact specs and whether or not your vehicle has any towing packages or features installed on it.
2012 Chevy Avalanche Towing Capacity
The 2012 Chevy Avalanche can tow between 4,900 lbs and 8,100 lbs depending on if it is 2WD or 4WD, the engine size, the axle ratio, and whether or not it has an HD cooling package.
Refer to the chart below to find how much your 2012 Chevy Avalanche can tow.
2011 Chevy Avalanche Towing Capacity
The 2011 Chevy Avalanche can tow between 4,900 lbs and 8,100 lbs depending on if it is 2WD or 4WD, the engine size, the axle ratio, and whether or not it has an HD cooling package.
Refer to the chart below to find how much your 2011 Chevy Avalanche can tow.
2010 Chevy Avalanche Towing Capacity
The 2010 Chevy Avalanche can tow between 4,900 lbs and 8,100 lbs depending on if it is 2WD or 4WD, the engine size, the axle ratio, and whether or not it has an HD cooling package.
Refer to the chart below to find how much your 2010 Chevy Avalanche can tow.
2009 Chevy Avalanche Towing Capacity
The 2009 Chevy Avalanche can tow between 5,000 lbs and 8,100 lbs depending on if it is 2WD or 4WD, the engine size, the axle ratio, and whether or not it has an HD cooling package.
Refer to the chart below to find how much your 2009 Chevy Avalanche can tow.
2008 Chevy Avalanche Towing Capacity
The 2008 Chevy Avalanche can tow between 7,000 lbs and 8,200 lbs depending on the model, the engine size, and the axle ratio.
Refer to the chart below to find how much your 2008 Chevy Avalanche can tow.
2007 Chevy Avalanche Tow Capacity
The 2007 Chevy Avalanche can tow between 7,100 lbs and 8,000 lbs depending on the model, the engine size, and the axle ratio.
Refer to the chart below to find how much your 2007 Chevy Avalanche can tow.
2006 Chevy Avalanche Towing Capacity
The 2006 Chevy Avalanche can tow between 7,100 lbs and 12,000 lbs depending on the model and the engine size.
Refer to the chart below to find how much your 2006 Chevy Avalanche can tow.
2005 Chevy Avalanche Tow Capacity
The 2005 Chevy Avalanche can tow between 7,100 lbs and 12,000 lbs depending on the model and the axle ratio.
Refer to the chart below to find how much your 2005 Chevy Avalanche can tow.
2004 Chevy Avalanche Tow Capacity
The 2004 Chevy Avalanche can tow between 7,100 lbs and 12,000 lbs depending on the model and the engine size.
Refer to the chart below to find how much your 2004 Chevy Avalanche can tow.
2003 Chevy Avalanche Tow Capacity
The 2003 Chevy Avalanche can tow between 7,000 lbs and 12,000 lbs depending on the model and the engine size.
Refer to the chart below to find how much your 2003 Chevy Avalanche can tow.
2002 Chevy Avalanche Tow Capacity
The 2002 Chevy Avalanche can tow between 7,100 lbs and 12,000 lbs depending on the model and the engine size.
Refer to the chart below to find how much your 2002 Chevy Avalanche can tow.
