Truck rides better with weight in the bed

[Ozer]

2014 Sierra SLT, Bilstein level with 5100s all around, 33" tires.

 

I was carrying some flooring and couple cabinets yesterday and again i noticed how nice the ride was with some weight in the back. 

My ride is already better with 5100s but it rides better with weight.

Has anyone tried carrying 2 sandbags, maybe 200lb total for an extended period of time, wondering about gas mileage. Imagining it cant hurt it that bad.

Whats your experience?

[Jmiller11331]

2014 Sierra SLT, Bilstein level with 5100s all around, 33" tires.
 
I was carrying some flooring and couple cabinets yesterday and again i noticed how nice the ride was with some weight in the back. 
My ride is already better with 5100s but it rides better with weight.
Has anyone tried carrying 2 sandbags, maybe 200lb total for an extended period of time, wondering about gas mileage. Imagining it cant hurt it that bad.
Whats your experience?

I tested this!! My gas mileage went down and it didn’t ride that much different


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[BigBadSierra]

Leaf springs always have..  The rear springs have a load so they glide better down the road.

 

Trucks springs are set to carry a heavy load so they are stiff when you have no load.

 

Don't worry if you over load and get on the bump stops you will have no rear suspension ha ha.

 

 

 

 

[Donstar]

I agree that adding weight to the rear seems to give a nicer ride.  My canopy and tool box add a couple of hundred lbs over stock.  However, I doubt that I'd add any unnecessary weight like sandbags to achieve this perceived nicer ride!

[Sal214OC]

I am going to  have my 400 lb wife lay in the back so I can test your theory.

[Sierra 5.3]

I agree. I recently took a trip with two large coolers loaded with beer and ice and some other gear and the ride was much better. A lot less rebound on bumps. 

[pickmeup]

There is a reason old Jed Clampett always had Granny riding in the back.

[Donstar]

Wasn't old Jed a millionaire?  

[Sierra706]

2014 Sierra SLT, Bilstein level with 5100s all around, 33" tires.
 
I was carrying some flooring and couple cabinets yesterday and again i noticed how nice the ride was with some weight in the back. 
My ride is already better with 5100s but it rides better with weight.
Has anyone tried carrying 2 sandbags, maybe 200lb total for an extended period of time, wondering about gas mileage. Imagining it cant hurt it that bad.
Whats your experience?

I’ve got two I estimate to be 60lb each in there right now left over from the winter. Rides marginally better. I do notice more leaf spring slap over bumps as the main springs are closer to the overload springs due to the weight.


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[acc412]

Not to be that guy but REALLY? Does anyone remember physics (lol)?

[Ozer]

5 minutes ago, acc412 said:

 Does anyone remember physics (lol)?

Whos she? 

[L86 All Terrain]

Who would have thought a trucks suspension is designed to carry weight! Try driving an empty 2500, then compare to a loaded one, night and day. I want to pull a trailer with the 3/4 tons just so they don't ride like lumber wagons. 

[frenchsquared]

umm yah... its still a truck. They have always ridden better with a little weight in the bed. 

[garagerog]

1 hour ago, Sal214OC said:

I am going to  have my 400 lb wife lay in the back so I can test your theory.

Will be interesting to see if we see any more posts from Sal, if not, we know his wife has seen this.

[pickmeup]

10 minutes ago, garagerog said:

Will be interesting to see if we see any more posts from Sal, if not, we know his wife has seen this.

LOL. We know now why Sal bought a ''heavy chevy''