New 2019 Silverado bumping & jerking

RocketJCat · April 2, 2019

Husband yesterday traded our beautiful, quiet, smooth as silk 2009 Avalanche LTZ that drove like a Caddy, for a 2019 Silverado LT double cab with Z71 off road package, 5.3L V8, and 18” wheels. I drove it today about 70 miles. Aside from it definitely not being built for a 5’2” woman (no running boards and the seat is too long), it drives very hard. It’s very bumpy, like toothrattling bumpy, on roads that aren’t rough. It also seems to hesitate or lunge forward in slow speeds. At first I thought that was part of the bumpy ride, but stop and go city driving today almost made it feel like transmission lunging or weird shifting. Had a headache and sore neck by the time I was done. Checked the tire pressure and it’s 35-36 and made sure it’s in 2 wheel drive. We’re getting the bed tonneau cover installed Thursday at the dealer and we will bring my gripes to their attention. Is there anything else we should be doing? Will the bed cover help anything? Am I doomed because of the Z71 and the big tires? It’s only got 70 miles on it, and I’ve read that the transmission has to “learn” how I drive it? Meanwhile I learning I hate to drive it. The darn thing doesn’t even have memory seats so I have to adjust the seat every time and it takes a ton of fiddling to get it just right so I can see over the hood and feet still touch the floor. Ugh. Thank God I have a car too.

Edited April 2, 2019 by RocketJCat

Bgctrading · April 2, 2019

Maybe a test drive before purchase? Not trying to be smart azz about it.

RocketJCat · April 2, 2019

DH test drove it. So now I’m sounding like the wicked witch. Ha. But he said it was fine and he “thought it was smooth” during the test drive, but even he was surprised how bumpy it was when he drove it home from the dealer. So I guess back to my questions...is this the tires? The off-road package? The lake of bed cover? Normal crappy ride?

Edited April 2, 2019 by RocketJCat
Additional info.

garagerog · April 2, 2019

Quick ? Rocket, does DH= Dumb Husband? An old inquiring mind was just wondering.

OnTheReel · April 2, 2019

These trucks do bounce a bit, especially when you compare it to your Tahoe-based Avalanche that was heavier, and had coil rear springs instead of leaves.

Sounds like you just have to get accustomed to how an unloaded pick up truck handles because they are all about the same. Ram probably has the best ride, but it’s still a truck.

'01LS1 · April 2, 2019

In most every review I have read or watched has mentioned a bit rougher the ride in the '19's vs the outgoing '18. Guessing the dealer is going to say everything is normal.

Edited April 2, 2019 by '01LS1

RocketJCat · April 2, 2019

Ha! DH = Dear Husband. ?

Sigh. I’ve read that loading up the bed might help. After we get the bed cover on Thursday we’ll put a bunch of heavy stuff back there and see if it helps. We don’t know what else to try. Still feel that the transmission may be contributing to the herkyjerky. On the plus side the truck looks OK and is relatively quiet.

OnTheReel · April 2, 2019

Sand bags are a cheap option although I don’t know that I’d want that junk in the bed all the time.

The ride is a little rougher on my 19 than my 16 was, but I think that’s because the 19 is lighter, and has a much higher payload and towing capacity.

The transmission takes awhile to learn your driving style and should smooth out a bit over the next few thousand miles.

eppieguy · April 3, 2019

There are a few things that come to mind here

1. Leaf springs on the pickup, coils on the Avalanche, coils are going to ride much nicer

2. Avalanche is heavier, going to ride smoother

3. Z71 suspension is gong to ride worse, stiffer.

4. You had a loaded avalanche, you didn’t buy a loaded pickup, you lost options, not the trucks fault.

Sierra Dan · April 3, 2019

14 hours ago, RocketJCat said:

Husband yesterday traded our beautiful, quiet, smooth as silk 2009 Avalanche LTZ that drove like a Caddy, for a 2019 Silverado LT double cab with Z71 off road package, 5.3L V8, and 18” wheels. I drove it today about 70 miles. Aside from it definitely not being built for a 5’2” woman (no running boards and the seat is too long), it drives very hard. It’s very bumpy, like toothrattling bumpy, on roads that aren’t rough. It also seems to hesitate or lunge forward in slow speeds. At first I thought that was part of the bumpy ride, but stop and go city driving today almost made it feel like transmission lunging or weird shifting. Had a headache and sore neck by the time I was done. Checked the tire pressure and it’s 35-36 and made sure it’s in 2 wheel drive. We’re getting the bed tonneau cover installed Thursday at the dealer and we will bring my gripes to their attention. Is there anything else we should be doing? Will the bed cover help anything? Am I doomed because of the Z71 and the big tires? It’s only got 70 miles on it, and I’ve read that the transmission has to “learn” how I drive it? Meanwhile I learning I hate to drive it. The darn thing doesn’t even have memory seats so I have to adjust the seat every time and it takes a ton of fiddling to get it just right so I can see over the hood and feet still touch the floor. Ugh. Thank God I have a car too.

Jean,

I had a 2005 Avalanche and to date it was the best vehicle I have ever owned period. Particularly in the ride department. Tighter turning radius than a truck also.

Going from your '09 Avalanche to a truck is a big change. GM Trucks, no matter what trim level or suspension, ride a bit rougher compared to the Avalanche.

The Avalanche had coil spring rear suspension like the Tahoe and Suburban. And a similar Setup to the current RAM 1500 Truck.

Being 5'2", you would benefit from power adjustable pedals, but GM dropped them in the 2019 T1 trucks.

gothp28 · April 3, 2019

They over fill tires during production. To 70 psi have you checked?

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

Billet Bowtie · April 3, 2019

I had a 2012 Avalanche before my 19 High Country. The Avalanche definently rode better. The trade off is the Avalanche also had less pay load capabilities. I cant comment on the 8 speed because I have the 10 speed. The 6.2 and 10 speed is light years ahead of the Avy as far as power is concerned.