Unbearable ride - '15 reg cab Sierra

Yamajee · March 29, 2016

Hey guys,

I've had my '15 Z71 Regular Cab GMC Sierra for nearly a year now and I've done a few things to make the ride more comfortable but with no luck. I've installed 2" rear lowering shackles to level out the ride and it did help with the ride stiffness on highways but not with bumps/uneven roads and so on. After reading for a while, I've come to know the term for the uncomfortable ride I'm experiencing and it's the beam shake. On straight roads I have no issues at all and for those crappy Rancho shocks, I'd say that they are doing a good job however, on any mild bump on the road, I could literally feel like the bed is about to fall off the truck.

I'm from Dubai and over here, people usually swap those Rancho shocks for Bilstein 5100s, this is one option I'm considering but, I'd really be more comfortable with getting shocks that are designed for a lowered/leveled out pickup truck and I need your suggestions. I barely do any towing, very very mild. I'd appreciate it if someone can tell me a few tips on how to eliminate this "beam shake" too.

SouthernSilveradoGuy85 · March 29, 2016

One question, what size rims do you have. Smaller the sidewall of the tire the rougher ride it will be. The tire sidewall helps with bumps so the more sidewall you have the more the tire takes the bump so the less you feel.

Gofas · March 29, 2016

Maybe soft leaf pack since you do not haul. The more sidewall sounds plausible. Think I'll try leaf pack from atlas or deaver myself. Wondering how many folks will put on an old school 15in wheel?

Yamajee · March 29, 2016

One question, what size rims do you have. Smaller the sidewall of the tire the rougher ride it will be. The tire sidewall helps with bumps so the more sidewall you have the more the tire takes the bump so the less you feel.

The 20 inch wheels with stock tire size (275/55R20)

Maybe soft leaf pack since you do not haul. The more sidewall sounds plausible. Think I'll try leaf pack from atlas or deaver myself. Wondering how many folks will put on an old school 15in wheel?

A leaf pack... hmm, I'll look into that then.

Thanks guys for sharing!

Yamajee · April 4, 2016

Just bumping this topic,

What are the best shocks for road comfort? I'm gonna try swapping out the shocks first as I heard that the Ranchos are way too stiff since they were designed for off-roading more.

I know the Bilstein 5100s have great reviews, what about Monroes, any other brands I should seek?

redwngr · April 7, 2016

18's instead of 20's?

Tire pressure?

Denali magnetic ride control?

Don't forget it's a truck.

Gofas · April 7, 2016

Before spending money see what happens if you throw some weight in the trucks bed. I hear 300# helps.

I just drove 1700 miles and 200 of it was off road with firwood and camping gear around 5-600#. the ride was super smoothe the whole way. Now that I am home and the truck is empty it seems to ride better. I really gave the suspension and tires a work-out on this trip. Posts of off-roading in the desert.

Months earlier I overloaded the truck and blew out the shocks. I was pissed, Trucks ride was never the same after that episode. Bought bilstein HD's. And kind of been bummed about the ride since. Now I think the ride is much better after some time and miles drivin.

7600 odo

Yamajee · April 7, 2016

18's instead of 20's?

Tire pressure?

Denali magnetic ride control?

Don't forget it's a truck.

Tire pressure is the same as stock, 32 PSI.

Kind of sure it would be very expensive to do the denali magnetic ride control on my truck.

But thank you, I should try lowering my tire pressure and see if it absorbs the hits better.

Before spending money see what happens if you throw some weight in the trucks bed. I hear 300# helps.

I just drove 1700 miles and 200 of it was off road with firwood and camping gear around 5-600#. the ride was super smoothe the whole way. Now that I am home and the truck is empty it seems to ride better. I really gave the suspension and tires a work-out on this trip. Posts of off-roading in the desert.

Months earlier I overloaded the truck and blew out the shocks. I was pissed, Trucks ride was never the same after that episode. Bought bilstein HD's. And kind of been bummed about the ride since. Now I think the ride is much better after some time and miles drivin.

7600 odo

A friend told me to put a few sand bags in the bed near the tail gate and the problem will be solved, he has tried it on a '11 sierra and up to today he has no issues with the truck he claims, might try that if other minor tweaks don't fix this.

Thank you both for chiming in.

fondupot · April 8, 2016

Bilsteins are gonna give you more of a firm ride. I like the way they ride, but they are firm.

Go with a monroe OEM replacement if you want a smooth ride. And get a tire that has more meat to it. But keep it in P range tires if you want better ride.

neokonig · April 8, 2016

Bilsteins are gonna give you more of a firm ride. I like the way they ride, but they are firm.

Go with a monroe OEM replacement if you want a smooth ride. And get a tire that has more meat to it. But keep it in P range tires if you want better ride.

+1 This, I hear the OEM Monroe's are softer in terms of ride comfort than the Rancho's.

Even the Mag Ride is stiff IMO.

RobZ71LM7 · April 9, 2016

Love my Bilstein 4600's, but short wheelbase and 275/55/20's are going to put you at a disadvantage. I'd still get rid of the Rancho's.

Gofas · April 11, 2016

Yep,

Try oem replacement.

I liked the Cadillac ride with the tenneco shock.

But they don't seem to hold up yo heavy loads or abuse. They only lasted me 1000 miles.

They would be better for a soft ride.

And fiber glass camper tops weigh close 300#

rilcoat · April 11, 2016

Hey guys,

I've had my '15 Z71 Regular Cab GMC Sierra for nearly a year now and I've done a few things to make the ride more comfortable but with no luck. I've installed 2" rear lowering shackles to level out the ride and it did help with the ride stiffness on highways but not with bumps/uneven roads and so on. After reading for a while, I've come to know the term for the uncomfortable ride I'm experiencing and it's the beam shake. On straight roads I have no issues at all and for those crappy Rancho shocks, I'd say that they are doing a good job however, on any mild bump on the road, I could literally feel like the bed is about to fall off the truck.

I'm from Dubai and over here, people usually swap those Rancho shocks for Bilstein 5100s, this is one option I'm considering but, I'd really be more comfortable with getting shocks that are designed for a lowered/leveled out pickup truck and I need your suggestions. I barely do any towing, very very mild. I'd appreciate it if someone can tell me a few tips on how to eliminate this "beam shake" too.

I have a 2015 Z71 Silverado Regular Cab and yes it is a bit stiffer than an extended cab or double cab. I had a 2015 double cab Z71 with 18"wheels and it rode smoother than my new Regular Cab. I believe it's got a lot to do with our 20" wheels and being that it is a short wheelbase. I really can't complain, it's not that bad

KLRV6 · April 24, 2016

I have a 2015 Z71 Silverado Regular Cab and yes it is a bit stiffer than an extended cab or double cab. I had a 2015 double cab Z71 with 18"wheels and it rode smoother than my new Regular Cab. I believe it's got a lot to do with our 20" wheels and being that it is a short wheelbase. I really can't complain, it's not that bad

I just put Bilstein 4600s all the way around on my 15 5.3 4wd CC short bed 275/65/18 Michelin LTX MS2 10,500 miles. It is a great improvement over stock. I had concerns that my stock ones had failed as two brand new tires had to be replaced from failing rfb numbers. both were at the front. This truck would jolt just by going over the painted strips at each intersection. That is all gone now, feels firm, but not scary or painful like with the stockers. the stockers weren't leaking or spongy, I believe that the valving inside failed and almost locked them solid or where fluid would not flow so well.

$350 or so from eshocks and worth every penny, which I haven't really been able to say about many things related to this truck since purchased new last year...

BJ54TXST · April 28, 2016

Take a look at Belltech's Street Performance Shocks. They make several different lengths to match your drop height. I lowered my '14 RCSB 2/5 and I'm running them both front and back. They're definitely more comfortable than stock, especially at low speeds since they implement a low speed dampening technology. I've come to the conclusion that only way to truly eliminate the beam shake on these regular cab trucks is going to be air ride, but there are definitely other more affordable options out there that will vastly improve your ride over stock. If money isn't a issue, you might give the guys at Vi-king Performance a call. I know there are a handful of guys who have outfitted their 14-15 RCSB's with these and have nothing but good things to say about them.