A Question For The Owners Of The Past Gmt800 1500s That Now/have Owned

Blake · March 30, 2009

Here's my question - do the GMT900s turn any tighter than the GMT800s?

Thanks in advance!

Porter_ · March 30, 2009

i've never owned a GMT800, but according to cars.com:

2006 crew cab turning radius = 23.7'

2008 crew cab turning radius = 23.6'

so they're equal, or at least the crew cabs are. check out cars.com if you're interested in other configurations (extended cab, regular cab) but my guess is they're the same as well.

c4cruiser · March 30, 2009

I traded a '99 Silverado for my 08; Same body (extended cab) and bed length on both. I noticed that the new truck seemed to turn tighter but that may have been because everything was new. It does sit higher and the hood appears wider. In any event, I would say that the new truck does not have more of a turning radius.

BuckFeverZ · March 30, 2009

I came from a '99 RCSB so my comparison isn't really equal. However, I think the GMT900's do have tighter steering, but not necessarily a tighter turning radius.

LawmanSS · March 30, 2009

You could tighten up the turning radius by getting the extended cab with the short short bed (5'9")...it has a shorter wheelbase than the extended with the 6'6" bed (same wheelbase as crew cab).

Blake · March 30, 2009

Thanks guys!

gave20 · March 30, 2009

Just out of curiosity do you do a lot of "U" turns? Never really cared what the turning radius for my truck was.

lvlagnum · March 30, 2009

Blake.

I recently went from a 2003 Silverado 1500 Z-71 Extended Cab to a 2009 Sierra 1500 Z-71 Crew Cab. I wouldn't say that the turning radius is TIGHTER but I WOULD say that my GMT-900 turns BETTER. Compared to the GMT-800 I had, my GMT-900 feels like it's on rails when going around corners. I especialy notice it in places like freeway on and off ramp cloverleafs. I'm going to give credit for this change to the difference in front suspensions between the GMT-800s and GMT-900s. Perhaps someone with more expertise about auto mechanics and design can help with the reasons why this seems to be so.

Cheers, lvlagnum.

Porter_ · March 30, 2009

Just out of curiosity do you do a lot of "U" turns? Never really cared what the turning radius for my truck was.

while it's low on the list, i can see why the OP would be interested. pulling into parking spaces in small parking lots is a real pain in the ass in our trucks. you'd be surprised at how much difference a few feet of turning radius makes. still not a good enough reason to walk away from a truck you like IMO, but something to take into consideration none the less.

BuckFeverZ · March 30, 2009

Just out of curiosity do you do a lot of "U" turns? Never really cared what the turning radius for my truck was.

while it's low on the list, i can see why the OP would be interested. pulling into parking spaces in small parking lots is a real pain in the ass in our trucks. you'd be surprised at how much difference a few feet of turning radius makes. still not a good enough reason to walk away from a truck you like IMO, but something to take into consideration none the less.

Back into the parking spots

i82much · March 30, 2009

Not sure if you are an off-roader but turning radius can be really important on some trails. Shorter wheelbase will help keep you out of trouble in a lot of different ways off-road.

Porter_ · March 30, 2009

Just out of curiosity do you do a lot of "U" turns? Never really cared what the turning radius for my truck was.

while it's low on the list, i can see why the OP would be interested. pulling into parking spaces in small parking lots is a real pain in the ass in our trucks. you'd be surprised at how much difference a few feet of turning radius makes. still not a good enough reason to walk away from a truck you like IMO, but something to take into consideration none the less.

Back into the parking spots

yep i do that all the time. usually next to some riced-out civic, also backed in, but he's doing it cause it lets all the ladies admire his halo projector HID's and neon front license plate frame.

VMax2007 · March 30, 2009

yep i do that all the time. usually next to some riced-out civic, also backed in, but he's doing it cause it lets all the ladies admire his halo projector HID's and neon front license plate frame.

Yeah, but then they can't see the Fart Can.

Porter_ · March 30, 2009

yep i do that all the time. usually next to some riced-out civic, also backed in, but he's doing it cause it lets all the ladies admire his halo projector HID's and neon front license plate frame.

Yeah, but then they can't see the Fart Can.

gave20 · March 30, 2009

Just out of curiosity do you do a lot of "U" turns? Never really cared what the turning radius for my truck was.

while it's low on the list, i can see why the OP would be interested. pulling into parking spaces in small parking lots is a real pain in the ass in our trucks. you'd be surprised at how much difference a few feet of turning radius makes. still not a good enough reason to walk away from a truck you like IMO, but something to take into consideration none the less.

To bad quadrasteer got canned. I drove a denali w/ quadrasteer and they was a huge plus IMO, I could whip that truck into any parking stall like it was a civic. Big ball drop by GM.