Duramax Shakerado

Multimax · June 21, 2003

Buying a new truck but so far 5 Duramaxs have vibrated at 65-75 mph. Not gonna lay down 45K for another truck that shakes on down the highway. Spent 24 hours with a Dmax and couldn't believe how much it and my 2000 2500 have in common at 75 mph. Whats a Chevy fan to do?

akdiesel · June 22, 2003

Are the trucks that you are test driving stock? In other words do they have the stock tires (245's)? I have seen some dealers installing larger tires to attract buyers and if not done correctly this could cause the vibration problem.

Also, how many miles are the trucks that you are testing. If they have over 100 miles on them maybe some other test drivers have tried these trucks to see how the power feels and stepped on the throtle when these trucks need to have a break in period. I have heard of some people taking out a new vehicle for a test drive just to feel all the hype and treat it like crap.

Consider ordering your truck that way you have only the miles that it took to get to the dealer's lot.

steppetoe · June 22, 2003

Are the trucks that you are test driving stock? In other words do they have the stock tires (245's)? I have seen some dealers installing larger tires to attract buyers and if not done correctly this could cause the vibration problem.
Also, how many miles are the trucks that you are testing. If they have over 100 miles on them maybe some other test drivers have tried these trucks to see how the power feels and stepped on the throtle when these trucks need to have a break in period. I have heard of some people taking out a new vehicle for a test drive just to feel all the hype and treat it like crap.

Consider ordering your truck that way you have only the miles that it took to get to the dealer's lot.

I cannot possibly see how beating on a truck is going to end up producing a vibration at highway speeds. Neither would larger tires, unless they were mounted incorrectly. Sounds like a desigh flaw to me.

akdiesel · June 22, 2003

If you hit the throtle hard at a stand still, you could damage the u-joints. This would give you a vibration at highway speeds. Large tires add stress to the drive train and prematurely wear it out.

I am not saying that these two possibilities are causing the problems but it could happen.

BlackSilver · June 23, 2003

Can't argue with the results you've had, except to say that my 2003 2500HD Duramax/Allison is absolutely smooth at all speeds, whether empty or towing significant loads. Even the "launch shudder" which I'd learned to live with in previous GM trucks is gone from this truck.

Multimax · June 23, 2003

Thanks for your thoughts guys, I'm hoping to 5 wheel with my unit as well and would be in hog heaven with a smooth truck. These test drives have been in trucks designated as demos and they had been run hard with only a few hundred miles on them. 65-75 mph is th absolute wrong place to shake. I run about 50K miles a year for business and love that Dmax power.

What if I order a unit take delivery only to find it shakes also. I guess I'll have to demand a "shake down drive" and do some 70 mph in the left lane for a few miles and be prepared not to take delivery until they can deliver. Service is no fun on a new truck.

Oh and they are stock with those firestone things. Sales guys point to the tires while out on the test drives.

Multimax · June 24, 2003

Update for you guys, spent 4 hours with the Denali pickup, very nice Caddy style ride with quadrasteer and all wheel drive. Needed more motor and never saw over 13 mpg on the highway and in town.Traded that tonight for 24 hours with a GMC Duramax.

Smooth sweet and powerfull. No shake on the freeway at all, smooth all the way up!

My faith may have been restored in the General!

Loaded SLT stickered at 45K, fleet buy for about 36K.

I should be ready to buy this week!Now what color.

maybe that new Carbon. Don't see many of those around.

Shaners · June 24, 2003

The new Carbon color is sweet!!! Sometimes it looks black, sometimes Charcoal, and sometimes green...

Are you considering a crewcab? The extra room is great when needed, and I feel the body structure is more solid than the excab models because of the solid "B" pillar.

BlackSilver · June 24, 2003

Are you considering a crewcab?

I think he pulls a 5th-wheel, in which case the extra wheelbase of a CC would not be very welcome when maneuvering in tight campgrounds. Been there, done that!!!!

BDBWTE · June 25, 2003

You do realize this is a truck your test driving right?

Multimax · June 25, 2003

That Crew Cab will not fit in my garage. So kinda limited to the extended. Planning on doing a shake down test drive with my new unit before taking delivery to be sure and get a smooth one. Looked at the Carbon today under cloudy skies, not real impressed, Thinking Black tonight. That 5th wheel is still in the dreaming stages. One day:)

04Chevy2500HD · June 25, 2003

Watch out for black it shows the scraps and scratches big time... I am never going to be another dark colored vehicle for this reason. This is the only reason I regret about purchasing my truck.

-David