Ride quality difference on X31 off road vs Max Trailering

[BringTheRain403]

Where not saying there's no difference were saying that to buy the max tow over the X31 for no other reason than the 3.42’s is ridiculously stupid. If you need the added payload capacity then go for it otherwise the difference is negligible. Again, if your ever near Pittsburgh let's run em 4W hi, 4W Auto, 2WD or however you want to do it. I guarantee it'll be neck and neck unless there's driver error. I know you've been all over the forum bragging up there 3.42's but honestly anything below 3.73's are highway gears and as recently as 10 years ago would've been considered garbage for towing. I'm sorry but there's just not enough difference to get the max tow just for the gears. I'd rather have a different more useful package on my truck. The ONLY reason to get the max tow package is for the payload capacity (but at that point why not get an HD since it would be all around better for heavy loads). Obviously, you should buy what makes you happy since you're making the payment but don't be unrealistic about how much those gears add. Will the truck be faster? Minimally (nothing a driver that's better than you couldn't over come). Will it haul/tow better? Minimally (nothing anyone would truly notice unless they were pulling max capacity up the side of Everest). Are they better gears? Very slightly but they aren't God's gears like you're trying to make them out to be. You give up too many useful options from the X31 or AT4 packages of you're only getting max tow for the gears. Just not enough benefit especially since you could get the other package and swap the gears of they REALLY meant that much to you and have the best of both worlds. In which case swap in the 3.73's and thank me later...

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[BringTheRain403]

Which app are you using for your time? I'm happy to post times.

 

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[SierraStorm21]

Thanks for all the replies guys. Lot more than I anticipated...

 

That said, I made the trip out to one of the dealerships and drove 3 trucks today. The 6.2L with Max Trailering Package (MTP from here on out) and 3.42 gearing. For ride comparison I did a 5.3L with X31 (no 6.2L's with that available) and then for the hell of it and curiosity, an AT4 with the off road performance package, which includes the 6.2L and the cat back exhaust and air intake. Did about a 30 minute test on each rig through the same loop. Side roads, business areas with lots of bumps, speed bumps, pot holes, storm drains, etc and then on the freeway and then off to an uphill and downhill twisty road on the way back to the dealership with some less than desirable roads. 

 

First up was the 6.2L with Max Trailer Package and the 3.42 gearing. First thing i noticed was the gearing. Noticeable acceleration difference between it and the x31 with 3.23's that I drove yesterday, especially on the freeway and getting around slower vehicles. The truck acted more like a sports car in all areas. Through the bumpy areas of the business complex, I was actually surprised at how well it did. I was expecting a much stiffer ride. On the freeway between all 3 trucks I noticed the same road feel, as in, I felt alot more of the road and it's anomalies than I'd hoped. Something I do not feel in my current 2018, which is sort of weird. The acceleration of the MTP was definitely noticeable between it and the X31 in all areas of the test drive. I know I read how some posters here were saying there wasn't that much of a difference, but if you drive the trucks back to back, I can attest it's quite apparent. On the way back to the dealership down the twisty road there is one part where you hit a bump or split in the road as you're doing about 40ish mph. That's where I saw the big difference in this truck compared to the other ones in that the back end hopped around over this bump.

 

The X31 seems to have a more forgiving suspension when dealing with speed bumps or hitting things with speed. The same bump that the MTP bounced around on, the X31 wobbled over but didn't hop. If I could put the front end suspension of the MTP on the X31 with 3.42 gearing, I'd have something that I really liked. I think what GM calls a "Tuned" suspension on the front of the MTP trucks is better than the X31 in my opinion for a daily driver, but the stiffer rear end in the MTP is something that bothers me a bit. I'm not sure I want to carry a few hundred pounds of sand bags in the bed of the truck all the time to compensate. I did notice that the MTP truck's air pressure was set to 39 all the way around when we jumped in it, so lowering that to 34ish might ease it a bit

 

The AT4 is an impressive truck. I was expecting a less than desirable ride compared to the X31 and the MTP,  but that 2 inch lift combined with the 18 inch tires was actually really well and in my opinion, better than both of the other trucks. I didn't care for the sound of the Mud Terrains, but it is what it is I guess. If money were no object, I'd get that truck, hands down, especially with the performance package. The sound and feel of that 6.2L with those add ons was very cool and I found myself grinning more than I was with the other two trucks.

 

One other thing of note is that in all 3 trucks, I never noticed the DFM, which was great. My 2018, I absolutely hated that and bought the Range AFM disabler to cure it. The turning radius of these 2019's is much tighter too. 

 

At least I now know the ride difference between the MTP and the X31 now in addition to the AT4. I have to now decide which direction to go which seems to be a conundrum in of itself. Not that many trucks in either configuration in my area or for the 100 miles around, so pickings are slim.

[OnTheReel]

@BringTheRain403 Dragy performance meter. It is an external module that links up with your phone. It’s pretty neat and very accurate in independent testing. I can say it sure is consistent at least.

 

To clear everything up because I don’t/ didn’t want to come off as an ass here...This whole thing started with you wrongly implying that the 6.2 with NHT doesn’t have the two speed transfer case or dual exhaust. I didn’t even get involved before then, and never go around the forum and brag about my 3.42s because it’s a dumb ass thing to do anyway. I think I’ve maybe posted 6 photos of my truck since I bought it in January and rarely talk about it at all. Not really the bragging kind... 99.99% of my posts are done to help people, or so I try to. 

 

My effort was not to talk him into NHT, but to be clear, he specifically asked about ride. Well shit, I can link to a thread where quite a few people have come out in preference of the NHT over the Z71/X31. I can also link to many threads where people complain about the Z71s poor ride, crappy Rancho shocks and getting bounced off the road. 

 

Also, I have no idea where you get the impression I said they are God’s gears when all I did was bring facts to the table. I understand that you are trapped in a flawed argument that taller gears do not negatively affect acceleration and towing abilities at all, but that’s not the truth.

 

And to be clear and factual again/ still...with the SLT 6.2 he’s looking at and specifically asked about, you give up absolutely nothing to get the 3.42s except for badges and hill decent control.

 

So explain to me in a sane world why one wouldn’t want added trailering, payload, subjectively better ride and better performance at the trade off of only losing hill decent control? Even from an off road perspective, if the guy is going to stick 37s on it some day, are you suggesting he’s better off with 3.23s? If not, then stop arguing with me over basic facts. You’ve completely missed the point.

[OnTheReel]

16 minutes ago, Mstorm18 said:

At least I now know the ride difference between the MTP and the X31 now in addition to the AT4. I have to now decide which direction to go which seems to be a conundrum in of itself. Not that many trucks in either configuration in my area or for the 100 miles around, so pickings are slim.

Good luck with whatever you chose. All three are great trucks. Not a bad conundrum to find yourself in.

[BringTheRain403]

Actually I did tell you a legitimate reason. Depending on where you live your annual registration is based off the weight your truck is rated to haul/tow. If you're only buying it for the gears with minimal benefit or if you don't NEED that payload capacity it makes no sense. For example in my state the X31 would cost $89/yr and the Max tow would jump me to to $170/yr because of the increased payload capacity. Unless you NEED that payload capacity all it did is cost you money annually just so you can have shitty ass 3.42 gears (for the record 3.23 gears are trash too. I'm not saying they are better gears). I'd much rather get the X31 and swap in 3.73 gears (gears that you'd actually FEEL a difference with) and if I hated the Rancho's I could go put some Bilstein's on and still be ahead of the game. I'll see about getting that app you have and if I do I'll post times. I'd even be willing to bet you they are within a 1/10 of a second of yours.

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[BringTheRain403]

Is this it?

dragy 10Hz GPS Based Performance Meter https://www.amazon.com/dp/B077KKPMTB/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_rj1yDbGYQNFEH

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[OnTheReel]

13 minutes ago, BringTheRain403 said:

Is this it?

dragy 10Hz GPS Based Performance Meter https://www.amazon.com/dp/B077KKPMTB/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_rj1yDbGYQNFEH

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Yup that’s it. They are a lot of fun. I didn’t really buy it for this truck but you know everyone gets curious, and I couldn’t help myself with all my other toys being endless undrivable projects at the moment. 

 

And I do understand the registration cost increase in some states, but if someone is really worried about cutting expenses by $80 a year, they should probably buy the 5.3 anyway because the increase in purchase price and fuel costs for the 6.2 is gonna make that $80 look like child’s play.

 

At any rate, I agree that 3.73s would be ideal (although not necessary either) but I’ve yet to see anyone do the swap. They are using two different axle vendors now, so that would add some headaches. GM has their own as well as the carryover AAM units. Not sure what’s out there for parts, especially if one has the new GM axles, but not my deal anyway. I only wanted the best gears I could get stock. That’s how I’ve always bought vehicles because performance not withstanding, it never really hurts me as far as “at the pump”, and usually brings in some rewards for resale.

[BringTheRain403]

I'd rather put $80 into the gas tank than in the state's bank account especially when the difference is sooooo small. Like I said if I get one of those units I'm willing to bet you my times are within 1/10 of a second of what you posted. For me the small gains from going with the 3.42 gears were outweighed by the fact that the max tow package makes you unable to get several other packages and options (for example you get one choice for wheels and if you don't like them too bad) and the increased annual bill from the state. Like I said if I felt the gears were an issue I'd just swap them out down the road and they most certainly wouldn't be 3.42's.


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