2500 RIDE Quality ?????

[Qrtr_myl_racer]

Curious......

Those with 2500 4X4's. There is still a small chance that I may need to get the 2500 in lieu of the 1500 Z71...

Anyone provide any info on the "highway" ride quality of the 2500 4X4 with just a normal passenger load??

Any small trip around the streets/freeways during a test drive is not really going to tell the tale.

Gandolphxx... After reading all the mods vouve done and track time you have you may have "Gone where no man has gone before!" . Your opinion ?

Anyone??, Anyone ??, Bueller ??


"D-man"

 

[gandolphxx]

First, let me note that a 1/4 mile run doesn't show you much about ride quality, thats the last thing I am thinking about as the monster launches.

As to driving around, normally, it is sweet - if the 1500 is softer it would feel like floating compared to mine, I guess. I am very pleased with the ride quality - much smoother than an equivalent rated truck, yet sure footed and responsive.

If you really want smooth throw 8 40 lb bags of salt in the back - just like a caddy then.

 

[milb440]

Next to a few highline sedans I have owned, this is by FAR the nicest (highway) riding vehicle I have had -
have had it on several trips, and it has been nothing short of EXCELLENT in every respect on a trip!

I do have the Leather with lots of adjustments, which makes the seating VERY comfortable, but even without it, the ride would be very fine!

Seven

 

[AVid]

I love the way mine rides. We travel all the time and I think it rides as good as my wifes Bonneville.

 

[Qrtr_myl_racer]

As I have not "road tested" the 2500 my question was whether or not the difference in coil spring vs. the M.stage leaf spring would make the back end "bounce around" like "some of the 80'-90's chevy trucks do, as well as, any difference in the "total" overall ride as I would also be driving this as a "daily driver" around the roads of So.Cal. Sounds again like my preconcieved notions about the "trucks-of-old" are out the window again

Gandolphxx: ...... When I mentioned that in my previous post what I was getting at is that you probably have more miles in different types of roadway environments than most. not just the 1320.

(Although pushing low 14's at a just about $ 1.00 (100 mph) in a 7600lb ride isn't something a lot of people can claim and YES, I am impressed

I run 8.50's at over 160mph in the 1/4 but in a 2100lb car. hhhmmm... calculating time and mph vs. weight HELL your doing better than we are!!)

"D-man"

 

[gandolphxx]

I forgot to mention that I have the Roadmaster Active Suspension on mine also - it takes a lot of sway out of the rearend in addition to balancing loads and most importantly ameliorates wheel hop and acts as traction bars at the track - prevents "S" wrapping on the rear axle. ^^

 

[SteveTimm]

During the past year, I've driven my 2500 Avalanche from Portland, OR to Pierre, SD twice and from Portland to NE Montana four times. I believe I know what I am talking about when I say that the 2500 Avalanche is a premium road vehicle.

On one of my long driving days, I drove 980 miles. I didn't exactly exit the cab "fresh as a daisy," but I can think of no other vehicle that would have made the drive more pleasant. The Mercedes-Benz we owned previously and our '98 Suburban were not nearly the road cars the 2500 Avalanche is.

I drove both the 1500 and 2500 Avalanche (both with travel trailer and without) before buying the 2500. Surprisingly, the 2500 felt more wired to the road and had a better ride (personal opinion). The 2500 takes hard turns level and the 1500 sways like our old Suburban (again, personal opinion, but an educated one).

The unbelieveably powerful 8.1 engine, the heavy dury transmission, the larger brake swipe and all of the other HD stuff that go into the ?-ton make it a superior vehicle. Yeah, it burns gas, but the vehicle rides like a queen and I'm likely to survive an accident that will kill the occupants of smaller cars. I'll pay for the gas gladly.

If I had the decision to make all over again, I would surely choose the 2500 Avalanche and outfit it like The Blood Mobile.

Gad, for once in my life I actually made the right decision. No regrets, no second thoughts no doubts - the 2500 Avalanche is the best.

Steve

 

[Qrtr_myl_racer]

SteveTimm: ?You work for GM huh...Cum on.. admit it....
Thats one hell of a recommendation. And a very detailed and convincing one ? "Warm and fuzzy" now if I am getting the 2500. The reason again that I say "IF" is that ?I am getting the 2500 (IF my partner does NOT want to keep our 1-ton dully for now), I will be towing a LOT of weight. (See link below if I did it right, if not PLEASE correct me. IT's about 11,010lbs to tow)

11,010 lbs to tow!!! .... Anyone?

Gandolphxx: The active suspension: is that the one that utilizes a unilateral spring and (2) unequal lenth hooks around the leafs ??

Keep the recommendations comin. Man..... If I had the money it sounds like I should buy one of each ? ?(1500 and 2500 ? )


"D-man" (With a motor bigger than my money) ?

 

[gandolphxx]

I can't imagine not having a Roadmaster Active Suspension on the 2500, especially with that tow weight.

 

[Qrtr_myl_racer]

I can't imagine not having a Roadmaster Active Suspension on the 2500, especially with that tow weight.

Yep... Thats the one that I was thinking about..... I was told that would alleivate (not eliminate) "sway/rear end pull-around" when towing heavier loads

AND ---- HOW DID YOU DO THAT You changed the towing URL I put in my last post to the actual topic name I of course tried that and failed miserably

"D-man" (feeling like a puter' neewbie)

 

[milb440]

Actually, there are SEVERAL topics in the forums that compare "everything" between the 1500 and 2500.

You will find that many of us actually PREFERRED the ride and handling of the 2500. See 1500 vs 2500 Ride Quality for starters!

Seven

 

[Qrtr_myl_racer]

Thanks Seven: Duh... I thought checked to see if this was discussed before but obviously I didnt' look hard enough as the link your pointing too only dates back a couple of weeks..
Should have done a better search.

Sounds like the badder, heavier boy on the block is the premium ride from what you are all attesting too.

I think I am just going to have to drive one (2500) if I can find one on the lot.

"D-man" (Just plain undecided and waiting on someone "else' decision)

 

[orboater]

When I got my 2500 ride quality was not my biggest concern. I needed something with enough power that would not leave me high and dry on the launch ramp. To my surprise, and quite a few people that have ridden in the Av, the ride is not at all like any truck or SUV that we have experienced. Flat on the curves and very mannerly on the rough stuff. Those two stage leaf springs do a super job as far as I'm concerned. I also keep the tire pressure up a bit more than most which should take away from the ride. It is a wee bit harsher but still very comfortable.

 

[gandolphxx]

Yep... Thats the one that I was thinking about..... I was told that would alleivate (not eliminate) "sway/rear end pull-around" when towing heavier loads

AND ---- HOW DID YOU DO THAT ? You changed the towing URL I put in my last post to the actual topic name ? ?I of course tried that and failed miserably

"D-man" (feeling like a puter' neewbie)

it will do that very nicely - easy install if you have an impact wrench, I got mine right after I did the hard way

 

[milb440]

Thanks Seven: Duh... I thought checked to see if this was discussed before but obviously I didnt' look hard enough as the link your pointing too only dates back a couple of weeks..
Should have done a better search.

No problem QMR!

Don't sweat it... many of us did that at least once -
until we were introduced to the Big Purple Paddle of Goo!

If you don't find what you are looking for in the first search, try using less or different words, and change the max number of days to 120 or 150 or 180... chances are quite good that you will find something relevant to just about ANY topic! NOT saying that ya shouldn't post NEW topics... without new ones, we'd start to fizzle away, and THAT would not be a good thing!

Seven

 

[milb440]

G-xx: What is up with the "Secret" # of posts? Are you trying to mount a sneak attack on goo? (Yeah, I know - dream on - not enough hours in the day! )

Just for fun, goo should do that, and one day soon, when he hits 10,000 he can "reveal" the number!

We could have another contest to see who can guess the day, only this time, we won't be able to track it.

Seven

 

[gandolphxx]

G-xx: What is up with the "Secret" # of posts? ?Are you trying to mount a sneak attack on goo? ?(Yeah, I know - dream on - not enough hours in the day! ? ?)

Just for fun, goo should do that, and one day soon, when he hits 10,000 he can "reveal" the number! ?

We could have another contest to see who can guess the day, only this time, we won't be able to track it. ?

Seven ?

I think you are seeing things - what secret....

 

[NJAV]

I had a chance to drive a 2500 for the first time over this weekend..and wow..I was impressed...I loved the way the 2500 rode on the highway and including side roads..over railroad tracks etc....felt glued, literally planted with every jolt I tried to give her.....no bouncing...seeing how I was running with the weight of 2 individuals and about 3/4 tank of fooel......very impressed....2 to those Av's and my first experience...