Terrible ride quality.

[bdeboer]

I have a 2005 Silverado 1500 worktruck small cab longbed 4x4. I have Mastercraft P265/70R17 tires and the original shocks. I have a toolbox behind the cab and a tonneau cover. Speed bumps are a pain unless I slow down to almost a stop. Washboard and dirt roads are not a problem. I drive in a 'gated' state forest road during hunting season and have no ride issues. Must be the HD tires.

I have the same setup as yours except Mastercraft Courser AT2 LT265/70R17 Load Range C. My experience would be about the same as far the ride. I think any truck with a leaf spring rear axle is going to jar you over speed bumps.

 

[wallace]

Are your torsion bars turned up?

 

[Diamondpilot]

This is something I have noticed also in GM trucks. I have not owned one in 5 years but as a rule GM trucks are 800-1000# lighter than a comparable Ford, Dodge, Nissan, Toyota. (yes, I have actually weighed each and every vehicle I have owned at the same scale 1.5 miles from my house). This light weight helps squeeze out a few more MPG but other things suffer.

Example:

My 2005 3500 Dmax 4x4 Crew Cab Long Bed was 7,200# with me and 3/4 tank of fuel.

My 2006 F-350 Powerstroke 4x4 Extended Cab Short bed is 7,600# weighed the same way yet this truck has less cab and bed than the comparable GM. If it were a Crew Cab and Long Bed it would be 8,000#.

Chris