Beaker
Brevard, NC
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Joined: 07/28/2003
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Just brought home a new 2008 Duramax LTZ 4x4 z71.
I knew this would not ride as nice as a 1/2 ton but was more than disappointed in the ride. Was quite rough on smooth roads and teeth jarring on concrete I-40 west of Statesville, NC. I know having a fifth hitched up will help but could not imagine having a 3500 running solo.
On the positive side, I can not wait to hitch up. Although I wasn't towing, I could just feel the beast waiting to be untamed. Had to stay under 55 (yea, right). It was more responsive than I thought a diesel would be and could hardly feel the Allison going through the gears.
The computer read 21.5 MPG and having had a 26 gallon tank for the last eight years, I think this is probably close but will have to refill to be sure.
Anyone wanting to tell me about their ride quality with same truck would be appreciated. At one point, I felt transported 30 years back to NE PA riding the lumber truck!!!
2008 Silverado 2500HD Duramax
1998 23' Jayco lite
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kaydeejay
SE Michigan, USA
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Joined: 07/26/2004
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If you were running empty with your tires at 80psi your dentist will love you!!
I have a 2500HD and run the rear tires at 40psi when I don't have the fiver on, fronts are at 45psi all the time.
These pressure are slightly higher than the ratio of actual to max load to the max inflation pressure of 80psi.
ie my tires have a max load of 3042# at 80psi. Unloaded my rears have 1400# on each so I reduced the pressure to 1400/3042 (which would be 37psi) rounded up to 40psi.
Makes a big difference to the empty ride.
I do carry an on-board 12V air compressor so I can air the rears up to 65psi when I hitch up. (They are loaded to 2400# with the fiver attached, calculated pressure is 63psi).
Hope that helps
(You did not say if you had a SRW or DRW truck)
Keith J, Retired from GM Engineering
2005 GMC Sierra 2500HD SLE 2WD/CC/SB/DA.
1999 Sunnybrook 27RKFS Fiver
Bilsteins, Line-X, Westin steps, Prodigy, Retrax, 16K Superglide, 5th-Airborne pin-box, Multi-vex mirrors.
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BlackSilver
East of Heaven, North of Hell
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Joined: 12/18/2003
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My truck is an 08 Silverado crew cab long bed. I consider the ride acceptable. It's a truck intended for heavy work, not a family pickup for hauling groceries.
Hans, KØHB & Colleen, KØCKB
Master Chief Radioman, US Navy
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'04 Prairie Schooner 34FBR Platinum XL Camping Trailer
'08 3500HD Silverado Big Dooley LTZ Go-power by Max & Allie
My rig (Click)
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texatDurango
North Texas
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Joined: 02/10/2002
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Beaker wrote:... I know having a fifth hitched up will help but could not imagine having a 3500 running solo.
Don't count on the ride getting better hitched up. Before we installed an air hitch my wife was about ready to throw the towel in due to the lousy bumpy ride. Driving a 3500 around isn't as bad as you think. I drive mine all the time and I actually think it's smoother than our 2500 4x4 Duramax we had before.
We added Firestone air bags and the ride smoothed out even more, something you might want to look into, it was well worth the few hundred they cost.
Beaker wrote:... The computer read 21.5 MPG
Hope you don't get to attached with that number 'cause you certainly won't be seeing it much. I'm on my third Duramax in six years and have seen 20+mpg only once, for about 50 miles on I-20 and that was when they still showed "instant mileage". I can say that with 42,000 miles on our 2006, we're starting to see better towing miles recently. From averaging 10.2mpg before to now 11.8mpg with the same trailer.
You won't believe the power though, these trucks pull like a freight train.
2006 Duramax Diesel 1 ton dually tugging around a 2006 Mobile Suites 36TK3 #2609. Retired and just travelling around now and then seeing the sights.
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Dale M
Calgary
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Joined: 08/21/2006
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Hi. I have a 2006 duramax 4x4 and the ride is real nice when your on a real nice road if your on a rough bumpy road it rides like a truck
and is easy to get tired of in a hurry. But most highways are decent
but WOW does it pull.
Dale M
2006 GMC 2500HD D/A 4x4
2007 Wildcat 29RLBS
Hijacker 16k Slider
Prodigy Brake Control
Honda EU2000i Generator
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crickeydog
Marietta, Ga.
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Joined: 01/29/2004
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Can't speak for the 2008's but our stock suspension 2006 1 ton DRW (See Sig) rides like a dream hitched up as well as unhitched. We have absolutely no complaints at all about the ride of our "Pull Dog".
Our D/A has a Flowmaster Muffler, K&N CAI w/ ram intake, and a Predator programmer set to "tow tune". We budget for 10 MPG but we average 11 MPG towing at 65 MPH. Gotten as high as 12.8 and as low as 8.0 mpg.
Happy camping!!! See ya'll down the road!!!
AIR FORCE RETIRED "EITHER LEAD,FOLLLOW,OR GET OUT OF MY WAY"!
2006 GMC 3500 SLT CC DRW 4X4 D/A LBZ,PREDATOR & FS2500 OIL FILTER
2004 HR PRESIDENTIAL 30 SCD 5'ER.
CHEROKEE & CHEYENNE, MINI DOXIE'S
LOADED LIKE A FREIGHT TRAIN, FLYIN LIKE A JET PLANE!!
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Beaker
Brevard, NC
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Joined: 07/28/2003
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kaydeejay,
Sounds like you know what I am talking about. 2500 hence SRW, empty.
The rear tires are 68psi, front 57psi per computer per manual.
These are run flat tires and I guess what I get confused about are two things. The front axle is carrying a bigger load but less psi, rear axle less load, more psi.
My thinking is more like yours that the rear psi should be less when running empty but everything I read says these psi loaded or empty(no, I don't believe everything I read). On some decent roads, the ride was pretty good but no one would own one of these if they ride like this one did on I-40. I know it is a truck but this was really bad there!
texatDurango,
Yep, feel like your wife did right now. But seems like one terrific truck other than this. Will have to drive it some more because I know I am spoiled by the 1500.
No, I know enough not to get use to the mileage, but remember most of this was between 55-60 on flat land. Must have past at least two vehicles on the way home.
I appreciate hearing everyones comments.
Thank you
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ttstansfield
tulsa
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Joined: 01/30/2006
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My '07 longbed 3/4 ton sierra does not seem to ride any worse than my '05 1/2 ton Sierra...they were both z-71s too. It is all subjective though.
I have heard that the GMC/Chevy rides the best of the big three, so you certainly will not get BETTER elsewhere.
Tony
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salem
Central Valley, Ca
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Joined: 05/01/2004
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I usually leave the 5er hitch in my '05 just because I get a better ride with a little weight in the bed.
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killerbee
PHOENIX USA, Never hot
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Joined: 03/03/2006
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On the 2500, you can remove the platform springs, and your ride will improve greatly. Install the airbags, and you have a nicely adjustable spring rate for the heavy loads.
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