Test Drove 2014 Denali

GMC Lurker · January 14, 2014

I just got a call from my local dealer, that they had a new Denali that just came in. It was supposedly sold, but took to long for the original buyer. In any event, I took it for a spin this evening. It has the same issue that every GMC Sierra I've tested (and one that I owned, a 2010 GMC 2500), and that issue is that it shakes (at highway speeds). I pointed it out to the salesman, and had him even touch the steering wheel, and he said that he could feel it as well. I don't understand this. I've read this forum and see that a lot of people are having this issue. An otherwise nice driving test ride is marred by this. I'm in the market for a new light duty truck (selling my 2013 Ford F-350 King Ranch), and I've narrowed down my choices to two: the 2014 RAM 1500 Limited or the 2014 GMC Sierra (Denali or AT, with the 6.2). I test drove the RAM last week and was extremely surprised at how well it rode (it has the 4 corner air suspension). It was the best driving/riding one of the bunch, and by a pretty big margin. Tested a 2013 F150 Limited, 2014 Tundra 1791, 2014 RAM Laramie (no air suspension), 2014 GMC Sierra SLE (5.3), 2014 GMC Sierra SLT, and finally tonight, the Denali.

I didn't expect this to be such a hard decision, but having every one of the Sierra's shake at highway speed might end up making the decision easier. My 2010 bugged the crap out of me and never did get it to stop shaking. I can see myself in either of these trucks, just a little gun shy about the shakes.

Anyway, that's my thoughts on my experience.

voltedge · January 14, 2014

Yep, can't beat the Ram's ride. You'll get a lot of flack here probably for talking highly of the Ram, but until you've driven one with the coil springs or air suspension in your case, you have nothing to compare it to. That said, the sorry warranty that it had that never would repair my transmission and the electrical issues made me jump ship from it after close to three years of owning it. Probably never look back thanks to that. It had a slight vibration that they never got out either, but it was tolerable. If you go that route, just be forewarned that the warranty is all but useless unlike GM who will stand behind their product.

fondupot · January 14, 2014

Find a sierra that doesnt shake. You wont be disappointed. Love mine. Smooth as glass

ZacInLV · January 14, 2014

I have the Denali 6.2 and at highway speed it doesn't shake one bit. Sorry to hear that some are experiencing that. Like said above, if you drive one that doesn't shake it is a real treat.

GMC Lurker · January 14, 2014

I hope no one believes that I'm trying to be a troll. I really did enjoy my 2010 GMC Sierra 2500HD. Biggest mistake I made was trading it for the F350. Not because it's a bad truck, it's not. In fact it's a terrific truck, it's just that it put me in a far worse situation money wise. Having a hard time trying to sell it. I had a Keystone Cougar 5th wheel that I was towing, and since I've sold that (in anticipation some day of getting a Class A motorhome), I no longer need a heavy duty truck nor expect to do much if any towing. So ride becomes one of the more important factors. The Denali was very nice, really, really like the Denali exclusive (curse you GM!) driver display, and the interior is a big upgrade from my 2010.

On the RAM, I do worry about durability, and warranty, support, etc. I will say that with stock exhausts, the Hemi sounded better than the 6.2. I appreciate that they were both very quite trucks in normal driving, but when you got on it, the RAM sounded better.

I realize that I may get flamed for saying anything positive about another brand on a GMC board, but for me, I just want the best truck for my needs.

Since the biggest difference is the ride, what could I do to help improve the ride of a Sierra?

Thanks for any feedback. It's a tough decision, at least for me at this point.

crushNchowda · January 14, 2014

I think its tires. I had a 2014 SLT W/ 18"s and goodyear fuelmax CRAP tires and 3.08 rear and it shook at certain speeds, swapped it on a 3.42 equipped AT w/ goodyear SRA's and it had slight shake at certain speeds on certain roads, but much diminished.

I put on new Granite Ally 20's wrapped in Michelin Latitude Xice snow tires and no shake at any speed.

SO my powers of deduction lead me to believe much of the shakes people feel are from poor tires equipped from the factory, which is still a slight knock on GM

bogeypro · January 14, 2014

I hope no one believes that I'm trying to be a troll. I really did enjoy my 2010 GMC Sierra 2500HD. Biggest mistake I made was trading it for the F350. Not because it's a bad truck, it's not. In fact it's a terrific truck, it's just that it put me in a far worse situation money wise. Having a hard time trying to sell it. I had a Keystone Cougar 5th wheel that I was towing, and since I've sold that (in anticipation some day of getting a Class A motorhome), I no longer need a heavy duty truck nor expect to do much if any towing. So ride becomes one of the more important factors. The Denali was very nice, really, really like the Denali exclusive (curse you GM!) driver display, and the interior is a big upgrade from my 2010.

On the RAM, I do worry about durability, and warranty, support, etc. I will say that with stock exhausts, the Hemi sounded better than the 6.2. I appreciate that they were both very quite trucks in normal driving, but when you got on it, the RAM sounded better.

I realize that I may get flamed for saying anything positive about another brand on a GMC board, but for me, I just want the best truck for my needs.

Since the biggest difference is the ride, what could I do to help improve the ride of a Sierra?

Thanks for any feedback. It's a tough decision, at least for me at this point.

I think you are a troll. You have all the signs, even the screen name. Go buy the RAM, they don't have any problems...

GMC Lurker · January 14, 2014

Sorry Bogeypro, but you couldn't be more wrong. Just sharing my honest thoughts about my test drives.

I tend to think it's the tires as well, though on my 2010 I had them rebalance them several times and still couldn't get the shakes out completely. Hopefully that is the issue. Will try a couple of more Sierra's and see if I feel the shake in any of them.

ASW · January 14, 2014

I had a 6.2 Denali on order. Cancelled it, and bought a 14 Ram limited with every option possible. Zero regrets so far, and love the truck. Got the lifetime warranty for like $2k, can't beat it. Also I get about 17 MPG avg.

Northside · January 14, 2014

I don't know if you are a troll. Why should I care what you buy? It won't affect me either way if you do or don't buy a G.M.C. or a Dodge. They are all nice trucks. Another friend of mine bought an F-150 because as a Chrysler line mechanic, he says he made too much money fixing Dodges. I like the looks of the Dodges except for the dumb looking sheep on the front and back. I bought a Silverado and I don't feel any vibration other than expansion joints in the roads. I haven't had it over 85 m.p.h. but that's as fast I as I go in a truck anyway. That Denali rides nice. My friend just bought one. Maybe the Dodge is even a bit nicer riding, but come on, these things ride more like a luxury car than a traditional pickup truck.

Hell what do I care about vibration, I put more miles on my Harleys than my trucks anyway.

I don't know if you are a troll. Why should I care what you buy? It won't affect me either way if you do or don't buy a G.M.C. or a Dodge. They are all nice trucks. Another friend of mine bought an F-150 because as a Chrysler line mechanic, he says he made too much money fixing Dodges. I like the looks of the Dodges except for the dumb looking sheep on the front and back. I bought a Silverado and I don't feel any vibration other than expansion joints in the roads. I haven't had it over 85 m.p.h. but that's as fast I as I go in a truck anyway. That Denali rides nice. My friend just bought one. Maybe the Dodge is even a bit nicer riding, but come on, these things ride more like a luxury car than a traditional pickup truck.

Hell what do I care about vibration, I put more miles on my Harleys than my trucks anyway.

TxTruckMan · January 14, 2014

No shakes at speed in my Denali. I do get a very slight vibration in the floorboards at certain RPMs though. Absolutely no regrets here.

mzodarg · January 14, 2014

More miles on your Harley, I remember them days. Not so much for me anymore! As far as the Dodge goes, right next to Ford it's one ugly truck.

Most people I know who buy Ford or Dodge made their decision based on price.

Mike

voltedge · January 14, 2014

ASW, Hopefully you will be fine with the extended warranty. The problems I had were under the factory warranty at 28k and less mileage. It also happened on the Wrangler and the wife's car. I just think you shouldn't be on trial to ask for a defect to be repaired. Otherwise, I liked their products. That said, I wish that GM would have taken over Chrysler like the possibility was back a few years ago. I'm sure I would still have my old truck then. Enjoy that Hemi!

Silverado Steve · January 14, 2014

Buy what suits your need and what you like. It sounds like you're upside down with all the toys and trucks you buy to pull them... My advice buy something that holds it's value since you seem to buy a new car every other year, and with, that Ram has notorious resale....maybe Toyota would be right for you.