Managing Off Road Expectations

bgsntth · August 6, 2021

I think a lot of it is the 4WD system and advanced traction management. Remember when TFL compared a new Tahoe Z71 against a new Trailboss: Yukon AT4 vs Trailboss, with the AT4 having the inferior Trailrunners. Which, I believe, is why our 2008 Range Rover with mild Continental AT's is way more competent and stress free. The extra tail weight and eLSD might be factors too. I love the 6.2L and the versatility of a pick-up, but I was hoping to be able to use our AT4 more to get around the ranch. I will be putting more aggressive AT's on the AT4, as I am sure that will help, but don't think it will ever be close to the Rover for hill climbing.

Mandalorian · August 8, 2021

People who want the most off-road capable 1500 are buying Raptors (mostly) and TRXs. GM has no answer for that level of off-road performance unfortunately.

steelerdude15 · August 10, 2021

On 8/8/2021 at 12:02 PM, Mandalorian said:

People who want the most off-road capable 1500 are buying Raptors (mostly) and TRXs. GM has no answer for that level of off-road performance unfortunately.

They might with the ZR2 that is set to come out soon.

Minnvmax · August 10, 2021

I have 4x4 for snow and ice. I rarely if ever engage it outside of winter. Sometimes on an iffy boat landing or to pull through a sugar sand two track. I have gone up some ungodly steep inclines before and 4L to coast down them. I have never tried mud. Partly because I don't want to get stuck and partly because I don't want mud on my truck!

Mandalorian · August 11, 2021

12 hours ago, steelerdude15 said:

They might with the ZR2 that is set to come out soon.

To my knowledge, that's going to be more of a Tremor/Rebel/TRD Pro competitor than a Raptor/TRX competitor

JimCost2014 · August 11, 2021

2 minutes ago, Mandalorian said:

To my knowledge, that's going to be more of a Tremor/Rebel/TRD Pro competitor than a Raptor/TRX competitor

GM, when it comes to our trucks, we are always happy to be 2nd, 3rd, 4th, not at all when it come to something unique and cool.....

steelerdude15 · August 11, 2021

9 hours ago, Mandalorian said:

To my knowledge, that's going to be more of a Tremor/Rebel/TRD Pro competitor than a Raptor/TRX competitor

Oh okay. I haven't heard much about it. I'm hoping its more of a Raptor/TRX competitor more than anything. I guess we'll find out in a month.

Amcguy1970 · August 11, 2021

10 hours ago, Mandalorian said:

To my knowledge, that's going to be more of a Tremor/Rebel/TRD Pro competitor than a Raptor/TRX competitor

1 hour ago, steelerdude15 said:

Oh okay. I haven't heard much about it. I'm hoping its more of a Raptor/TRX competitor more than anything. I guess we'll find out in a month.

The Trailboss is a Tremor/Rebel/TRD Pro competitor (2 inch lift, upgraded tires, added skids, etc). The ZR2 is going after the more hardcore off roaders that aren't desert runners. Kind of like a Power Wagon half ton version without the winch and SFA. More for rougher two tracks that aren't suitable for a half ton TB/Rebel/Tremor/Pro and would give them too touch of a time. It will be more capable than the TRX/Raptor in rock crawling, deep mud and such but behind in terms of desert running. There are already two competitors in that small low sales desert class, no need for a 3rd direct competitor, it is good they are taking a different approach that is hopefully more capable as a work truck too than the Raptor/TRX. Don't get me wrong the Silverado ZR2 will be pretty capable going fast just like the Colorado ZR2 is just not as good as the other two. It will be a good jack of all trades especially if they don't neuter the towing and hauling too much...

Tyler

Gangly · August 11, 2021

22 minutes ago, Amcguy1970 said:

The Trailboss is a Tremor/Rebel/TRD Pro competitor (2 inch lift, upgraded tires, added skids, etc). The ZR2 is going after the more hardcore off roaders that aren't desert runners. Kind of like a Power Wagon half ton version without the winch and SFA. More for rougher two tracks that aren't suitable for a half ton TB/Rebel/Tremor/Pro and would give them too touch of a time. It will be more capable than the TRX/Raptor in rock crawling, deep mud and such but behind in terms of desert running. There are already two competitors in that small low sales desert class, no need for a 3rd direct competitor, it is good they are taking a different approach that is hopefully more capable as a work truck too than the Raptor/TRX. Don't get me wrong the Silverado ZR2 will be pretty capable going fast just like the Colorado ZR2 is just not as good as the other two. It will be a good jack of all trades especially if they don't neuter the towing and hauling too much...

Tyler

Rumors of an electronic front and rear locker and extended travel suspension definitely make it sound pretty capable off road, but like you mentioned it will be too underpowered to keep up with the desert racing toys from Ford and Dodge. Honestly, I would prefer just to have a more off road capable ride and the ZR2 setup sounds like its would be exactly what I would want since I have almost no interest in desert running and jumping.

steelerdude15 · August 11, 2021

I think a good idea for the ZR2 that could possibly make it more appealing to that type of customer would be to offer multiple engine choices. The TRX only has 1 engine and the Raptor only has one from the factory unless its shipped off to Shelby. I think the ZR2 should have the L84, L87 and 3.0 Duramax offered to give customers more choice, but I would even take it a step further. I would offer the LT4 as well because I would do everything I could to not lose sales to Ford and Ram since their trucks are or can be supercharged. Someone may say, well I want a supercharged version of this type of truck and since GM doesn't offer it, I'll go buy the TRX or Raptor instead. Plus, since neither the TRX or Raptor are diesel powered, it could possibly pull even more sales GM's way since they would have the only diesel available for that type of truck.

Mandalorian · August 17, 2021

On 8/11/2021 at 10:13 AM, Amcguy1970 said:

The Trailboss is a Tremor/Rebel/TRD Pro competitor (2 inch lift, upgraded tires, added skids, etc). The ZR2 is going after the more hardcore off roaders that aren't desert runners. Kind of like a Power Wagon half ton version without the winch and SFA. More for rougher two tracks that aren't suitable for a half ton TB/Rebel/Tremor/Pro and would give them too touch of a time. It will be more capable than the TRX/Raptor in rock crawling, deep mud and such but behind in terms of desert running. There are already two competitors in that small low sales desert class, no need for a 3rd direct competitor, it is good they are taking a different approach that is hopefully more capable as a work truck too than the Raptor/TRX. Don't get me wrong the Silverado ZR2 will be pretty capable going fast just like the Colorado ZR2 is just not as good as the other two. It will be a good jack of all trades especially if they don't neuter the towing and hauling too much...

Tyler

The problem I see is with no power upgrade, on a modified suspension with big tires, it's going to be a hard sell. The 6.2 is a fantastic engine, but it's no match for TRX or upcoming Raptor R V8, especially with the modifications.

bgsntth · October 23, 2021

So I paid my $100 and Reserved a new AT4x. Seems like they addressed my (very few) complaints with the AT4. Lockers front and rear, center-shifting - which I hope means it is easier to manually shift for off-roading, Drive modes\traction control, multimatic dampers, and the rock rails. I was planning on purchasing an extended warranty, better AT's, and Bilsteins on all four corners, but decided to "try" and trade-in our present AT4 for a new AT4x. That and my wife saw the new one when I was watching TFL, and the decision was made for me.

JimCost2014 · October 24, 2021

9 hours ago, bgsntth said:

So I paid my $100 and Reserved a new AT4x. Seems like they addressed my (very few) complaints with the AT4. Lockers front and rear, center-shifting - which I hope means it is easier to manually shift for off-roading, Drive modes\traction control, multimatic dampers, and the rock rails. I was planning on purchasing an extended warranty, better AT's, and Bilsteins on all four corners, but decided to "try" and trade-in our present AT4 for a new AT4x. That and my wife saw the new one when I was watching TFL, and the decision was made for me.

That is a very diverse (Brands of vehicles) garage you have. Could buy a couple (maybe 3) houses in certain parts of the USA with your stable.

Congratulations on your (soon) new truck!