Hello from a new member and a quick question - SNUGTOP

Hello from Indianapolis, IN.
My 10-year old Xterra finally died (hit a deer at 75mph).
I saw this truck sitting on a lot.  Test drove it and liked enough to buy it.
2010 1500 LT1

Just wanted to say hello.

Quick question - I would love to find a topper for the bed.
Are there more-affordable options available than the Snugtop? 
$3000 is a hefty pill to swallow and a bit ridiculous.
If anyone has ideas or a used one they'd like to sell, please let me know.

Anyway, looking forward to being a part of your community.

Great looking truck - congratulations!

First, welcome to the site!

Snugtop is the only manufacturer for hard top cover for the AV that I have seen over the years, problem is you need the windows to fill the openings in the sail panels that come with a Snugtop but they cost about $300 by themselves, I guess other topper manufacturers didn't want to mess with them.
You can at times find them used on sale by members here in the parts for sale section.
One person talked about a canvas folding type topper but I don't know of anyone actually owning one.
Since the AV is a Suburban that has been modified I guess those who wanted an enclosed vehicle just bought a Suburban? Another thing to consider is if you get a Snugtop then you will loose access to the side storage compartments, unless you do some sort of bed wall access by using a boat hatch.
Hope you have many happy and safe miles in your great looking AV.

Keep an eye on craigslist.  They go on there often and then are gone quick.  Usually, 400-$500.  You may need to repaint or replace rear glass.

When I first purchased our 2012 Avalanche, I had already ordered a SnugTop too.  I felt that I needed just a little more room in the back, but I did not want to have to contend with extra seating in the back, like the Suburban.  For me, the best solution was/is a SnugTop.

Not that is matters, but I get stopped from time-to-time, by people just asking what the truck is.  Happened on Saturday, in fact.  The guy said he had never seen an Avalanche with at top - so we talked for a spell.

Regarding the SnugTop, the price was high, no question.  However, to counter that, the quality is high too.  The rear side windows pop open to allow airflow.  Nice.  It's fully carpeted, and the colour of the carpet is a dead match for the BedRug that's back there too.  In fact, the combination of the two makes for excellent camping.  I just sleep right on the "floor".

There is a LED overhead light inside, an exterior LED third brake light and a couple of roof rack bars on top.  I had the SnugTop dealer colour match the unit, so the top looks "factory".  I have always had visions of having some kind of pulley system that could pick the unit right off the back, but nothing yet.  Oh, one other cool feature is that you actually put the Avalanche deck back into it's supports - with the SnugTop on - and you now have two different heights in the back.  One high and one one low. 

I have had the SnugTop on since the first week I got the truck.  If you have any questions, or if you would like a few photos of some feature or fit, just let me know.  I'd be happy to help in any way I can.

Michael

I've been modifying an old camper shell to fit my Avalanche its been a slow process

I had totally forgotten about this thread until someone just wrote to me.
Shortly after my OP (about 3 three years ago) I managed to find a Snugtop in a junkyard for about $300.00  (yes, you read that right).
I had to restore and modify it in several different ways since it was pretty beat up, but it is one of the best things I have ever done to this truck.  The best part is, I was able to modify it to work with the auto tailgate lock, so I don't have to deal with the twist-mechanism on the inside.