Do I need/want Hill Descent Control?

redwngr · January 21, 2020

On 1/19/2020 at 11:00 PM, FirstAscent said:

Hey everyone, so I recently placed an order for a 3500 high country duramax and did not choose the z71 package which includes hill descent control. Apparently you can only get it with the z71 pkg.

In order to choose that package I would have to remove the interior convenience package which has the all weather floor liners and rear under seat storage I wanted.

Does anyone have this feature that thinks it’s amazing or anyone not have it and wish they did?

Just want to make sure before it’s too late to make changes to my order

That's interesting.

On 2020 Silverado 3500 it's shows as optional all trims, and requires Z71.

On 2020 Sierra 3500 it shows as 'included and only available with X31 on base/SLE/SLT trims.

But it's standard on 2020 Sierra 3500 AT4 and Denali (and not available on dually Denali)

I've had vehicles with it, have read the description of how it works. Haven't yet found a place where I needed/wanted it.

Of course there must be those out there that can and do use it.

You can download the 2020 sierra and/or silverado owners manual from GM website if you need details about how it works to assist your decision.

FirstAscent · January 22, 2020

Interesting indeed. I would’ve thought it’d be similar between Chevy and GMC.

Another interesting thing about the Z71 package, when playing with build options on a 3500 High Country, if you select the Z71 package, the pop-up only states it is adding:

Hill Descent Control

Skid Plates

And not the other typical features such as off road suspension, badges etc. whether that’s accurate or a typo, I have no idea

However, just tested a 2500 build, if you select the Z71 package on that model then it DOES list off-road suspension as included as well.

Could be due to the extra payload/leaf springs in the rear

redwngr · January 22, 2020

2 minutes ago, FirstAscent said:

Interesting indeed. I would’ve thought it’d be similar between Chevy and GMC.

Another interesting thing about the Z71 package, when playing with build options on a 3500 High Country, if you select the Z71 package, the pop-up only states it is adding:

Hill Descent Control
Skid Plates

And not the other typical features such as off road suspension, badges etc. whether that’s accurate or a typo, I have no idea

Order guide shows different add-on depending on the trim. Pop-up in 'build and price' should also change depending on what trim level is being used.

Z71 Z71 Off-Road Package, includes (Z71) Off-Road suspension with off-road tuned twin tube Rancho shocks, (JHD) Hill Descent Control and (NZZ) skid plates (transfer case and oil pan)

On work truck- Requires 4WD model. "4X4" decals on bed are replaced with "Z71" fender badge. Not available with dual rear wheels or (ZW9) pickup bed delete.

On LT - Requires 4WD model. Includes molded in color grille with Z71 logo. Included with (PDZ) Z71 Off-Road and Protection Package. "4X4" decals on bed are replaced with "Z71" fender badge. Not available with dual rear wheels or (ZW9) pickup bed delete.

On LTZ - Requires 4WD model. Includes Chrome grille inserts with Z71 logo. Included with (PDZ) Z71 Off-Road and Protection Package. "4X4" decals on bed are replaced with "Z71" fender badge. Not available with dual rear wheels or (ZW9) pickup bed delete.

On HC - Requires 4WD model. Not available with dual rear wheels.

FirstAscent · January 22, 2020

Order guide shows different add-on depending on the trim. Pop-up in 'build and price' should also change depending on what trim level is being used.

Z71 Z71 Off-Road Package, includes (Z71) Off-Road suspension with off-road tuned twin tube Rancho shocks, (JHD) Hill Descent Control and (NZZ) skid plates (transfer case and oil pan)

On work truck- Requires 4WD model. "4X4" decals on bed are replaced with "Z71" fender badge. Not available with dual rear wheels or (ZW9) pickup bed delete.

On LT - Requires 4WD model. Includes molded in color grille with Z71 logo. Included with (PDZ) Z71 Off-Road and Protection Package. "4X4" decals on bed are replaced with "Z71" fender badge. Not available with dual rear wheels or (ZW9) pickup bed delete.

On LTZ - Requires 4WD model. Includes Chrome grille inserts with Z71 logo. Included with (PDZ) Z71 Off-Road and Protection Package. "4X4" decals on bed are replaced with "Z71" fender badge. Not available with dual rear wheels or (ZW9) pickup bed delete.

On HC - Requires 4WD model. Not available with dual rear wheels.

That makes sense, thanks for the additional info. Also makes sense it’s not available for the dually

mkeddie · January 22, 2020

Hey everyone, so I recently placed an order for a 3500 high country duramax and did not choose the z71 package which includes hill descent control. Apparently you can only get it with the z71 pkg.

In order to choose that package I would have to remove the interior convenience package which has the all weather floor liners and rear under seat storage I wanted.

Does anyone have this feature that thinks it’s amazing or anyone not have it and wish they did?

Just want to make sure before it’s too late to make changes to my order

Just pick the other package then add the floor mats....

Sent from my Moto Z (2) using Tapatalk

FirstAscent · January 23, 2020

Well I originally thought I wanted the under seat storage which you can apparently only get with the interior convenience package.

But I recently learned that THAT under seat storage is the larger plastic under seat storage. I have that on my ‘19 1500 and actually don’t care for it, and it feels cheap. I think I prefer the normal carpeted but smaller under seat storage.

So yeah I could’ve just chose the z71 and add the z71 floor liners separately as you mentioned.

Mi99z71 · January 25, 2020

Just pick the other package then add the floor mats....

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I think that there should be an option for Z71 off road and protection package. I thought it brought all the Z71 stuff, and the all weather floor mats and spray in liner.

mkeddie · January 25, 2020

I think that there should be an option for Z71 off road and protection package. I thought it brought all the Z71 stuff, and the all weather floor mats and spray in liner.

There is 2 z71 options that one makes it so u can't have a few packages

I picked the z71 package that gives u shocks, skid plates and hill decent

I did the z71 for the suspension and skid plates

As far as the title of the thread the hill decent isn't all that great depending where u drive ...I've used it 5 times in 5years on my 15

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i82much · January 31, 2020

i don’t have it. i did come down from 6500 to 4000 feet on a steep, narrow north Idaho forest road in 8” of snow this year. I put z chains (cables) on all four tires and used 4 LO and the manual shift function on my 6L90 to control my speed. I could see how it would have been nice to have, though. Hours of that stuff can wear you out mentally!

Crockett Summers · January 2, 2022

On 1/20/2020 at 8:51 PM, joelabq said:

The z71 comes with all weather mats with z71 branding... Just FYI.

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I have had a 2021 wt 3500 z71 and now an LT 2022 z71. Neither came with branded floor mats standard. I had to buy them separately.

Another JR · January 2, 2022

The “off road suspension” is simply the Rancho shocks - no other suspension changes.

Read the owner’s manual on line for a more complete description of how hill descent control works and its speed ranges in high and low transfer case ratios. I have it and have tried it, but I doubt I’ll use it much.