RJ,

First of all, thank you for your service, and thanks also to your wife for her sacrifices while you've been in.

As an Army vet (from the '60's), but not retired, I also offer you welcome to the RV Dreams forums.  You will find this site to be an good one for your research and planning into RV's and the RV lifestyle.  Feel free to ask questions as we all tend to learn from each other, and the folks here are exceptionally friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable.  They are also very encouraging, so even if you are experiencing difficulties, we are here to help with that as well.

Oh, our extended family includes an Air Force veteran who married a Filipino lady, and believe me she is a delight.

Glad to have you as part of the RV Dreams family.

Terry

I like to see my retired brothers joining the group. There is something to knowing another retired military is out there willing to share stories with. Branch makes no difference, writing the check does. I'm am only waiting for the family issues to come together to make the move to full-time. I can't wait. I am looking forward to full retirement.

Welcome from another Army Retiree, I punched out after 20 in 2008, I am finishing up my last of 5 years as a D/A civilian. This winter we are gonna start fulltiming and can't wait!!!

RJ,

I looked on line at a "general" source for towing information, so keep in mind that these numbers aren't necessarily from GM.  However, I did find these numbers for towing capacities for the Avalanche.

Chevrolet	Towing Capacity (lbs.)
Avalanche 2WD	8,100
Avalanche 4WD	7,900

I've not looked at an Avalanche, so I'm presuming that they have a class III hitch receiver installed on them.  If it is a Class III and not a Class IV hitch, it is only rated up to 5000 lbs.  A Class IV is rated up to 10,000 lbs.  I would also recommend a weight distribution hitch and anti-sway bar, especially if you go with a 24-foot or larger trailer.  The Avalanche is supposed to be on the same frame/chassis as the Suburban, so I'm presuming that it is the equivalent of a 3/4 ton truck.  We used to pull a 26-foot travel trailer by Salem with a 3/4 ton Ford F250, so I would think the Avalanche was capable for a 24-foot trailer.

Obviously, if you later decide to go with a fifth wheel, the Avalanche would not likely be able to handle that because of the size of the "bed" on an Avalanche.  For that, you would have to go to a pickup.  Just as a little guide, a fifth wheel usually provides a lot more outside storage than a travel trailer, so if you plan on full-timing, you might keep that in mind.  While it will vary greatly, depending on each person's needs, a rule of thumb idea of weight "usually" needed for full-timing is roughly 2500 to 3000 lbs of stuff for a couple.

Have fun with the research.  Too bad you don't have access to any RV shows or RV dealers without coming back to the states.  I guess you will have to do a lot of your research online.

Terry

When all this comes about, give the trailer a few short trips.  I'm not so sure that a wider wheelbase makes that much of a difference with anti-sway.  While the wider stance would help with a tendency to "tip" in a wind, the swaying is more like a "swinging" back and forth with the hitch as the fulcrum.  A few trips may show that the sway bar is needed.  Check with the dealers to see for sure.

Terry

Again welcome from another Army retiree, I had a couple older avalanches when we first started rving, an 04, 1/2 ton and an 06, 3/4 ton.
They were the first body style av's and were built on suburban frames. Your newer bodystyle is on a tahoe frame and a bit smaller but still capable of towing fine.
We towed about 8500_9000 lbs. with our av's, having no issues with either.
Here are my suggestions, get the highest rated leveling hitch you can find/afford, the reasonng being is you may not need the 12k leveling hitch but why overwork a lighter one when the heavy one used lightly will not be near overstressed. Also make sure you adjust it to tow level and torqued right or your ride will porpose horribly.
Second, get an antisway control no matter what, its like 50 bucks and that av, plus an rv in a crosswind will need it. Trust me!
If you dont have the GM integrated brake control, get the best you can afford, tekonsha makes good ones.
You may need airbags for the rear, our 1/2 ton did, get the integrated pump with pressure gauge and look up trailer leveling with airbags, it's a whole new kettle of worms.
Fluids; have everything in the vehicle changed/flushed and you may want to consider going with synthetics, youll be working that av close to the max and want all that stuff fresh.
Tires, what you have may not be rated for towing, get D or E rated QUALITY tires, those maypops you got on the cheap aint gonna handle fulltiming.
Wanna save on gas? Get a programmer, cold air intake and free flowing exhaust, the money you spend now youll recoup in the first year on gas, also, try and go with the quieter aftermarket mufflers, as the louder, cooler sounding ones get annoying on long all day driving(magnaflow are a bit quieter).
Just my opinion/experience, let the bashing begin!!!
Gregg

Gregg,

Since, I owned a vette a few years back and I've been a fan of K & N and full synthetics ever since. I have thought about the programmer idea so I went on youtube and watched a few videos I'm not sure which brand to go with yet. I'm currently in Germany so, I'll wait till I get back to stateside. If I have any issues with any brand it'll just be easier getting my money back from a retailer.

Also, thanks for the suggestion for tekonsha, I'll definitely look into that.

RJ

RJ, Welcome to our forum and thank you for your service. My DH is retired Navy and loved his recruiting duty as well. Tim and Robyn, commisarys in our experience today aren't that great at cost savings as they used to be. But we take advantage of military campgrounds whenever possible. We've stayed at some great ones! Also, don't forget to ask for military discounts at parks, some offer great ones.

When we pulled a trailer DH couldn't believe the difference between a Blue Ox hitch and a Hensley Hitch. The Hensley provided much more anti-sway stability and the factory sells reconditioned ones and buys them back if you change your tow. They are expensive but having put a trailer on its side with the Blue Ox we immediatelly purchased the Hensley.

The research and planning is lots of fun and you'll soon be out there with us.

Sherry

My advise is to check on forums for other people that have owned a Coachman or any other type of rv you are interested in before you buy. I had a Coachman trailer in the 70's and wouldn't give you 2 cents for one. There was practically no insulation and the interior was substandard. Now that was decades ago and things change over the years. One thing does not and that is : if you don't do you homework up front , you will probably regret it. That means more than just looking at the brochures. Just a word to the wise. Don't take a salesmans word for anything no matter what you buy. Some will tell you anything to make the sale. I don't want to be all negative. There are many rvs out on the road that are serving peoples needs fine. We have never bought a new one. The depreciation on most all rvs is very high. But all that aside, you can't beat the fulltime lifestyle. We are starting our 7th year with no regrets and going strong. Wishing you the best.