My new 2011 Silverado 3500

[surveyman]

Nice looking truck and bird!
I'm curious to know what you think of the ride compared to your last truck and other vehicles you have towed with. We have some dually 3500's at work (2005 & 6) and riding empty is not to much fun. I have a 2006, 2500 and the empty ride is much better than any 3500 I have ridden in.

[Torben]

Don if you went to my post " going to Ft Stevens SP" the picture of the clamps is on my truck.

[bigbunkhouse]

The bolts only keep it inplace until the glues dries.

I tell you with the new boxed in frame it is one big job to the nuts only the back side of holes inside the frame.
We had to tape the nuts and washers onto the bolts and fish them into access holes on the backside because if you drop anything inside the frame in may never be found and rattle for ever.
Thanks GM for such a strong frame but the engineers needed to put some factory installed treaded plates within the frame for a easy hitch install, they know most all will install a 5th wheel hitch.

That reminds me of installing plows, the bolts come welded to 2 or 3 ft rods that you chase thru the frame and poke out the holes. Sounds like your idea of pre installed plates or atleast sleeves thru the frame to bolt clear thru are a must. I would like to see tabs factory installed on the frame so you could just bolt down thru the bed from the rails or some other pseudo universal bracketry

[Mike Clay]

Mike, Sounds like everything working fine that's certainly good news.
When you say YES they have had the brake controller since '08 are you also saying that it comes as standard equipment with the LTZ and not an addtional opption?

It comes with the tow package

[Mike Clay]

Nice looking truck and bird!
I'm curious to know what you think of the ride compared to your last truck and other vehicles you have towed with. We have some dually 3500's at work (2005 & 6) and riding empty is not to much fun. I have a 2006, 2500 and the empty ride is much better than any 3500 I have ridden in.

Out of my 5 Dodges and now on my 2nd Chevy it drives and rides better then any of them. They really have changed a lot with the fame the springs and most of all the steering and brakes. The 260 miles today was pretty effortless other then it was 94 degrees and a ton of traffic. Empty the truck rides very nice no complaints at all.

[campswithcritters]

I came down that same grade going to Salem Mike, high engine brake kept it slowing down too much (3 cylinders of compression braking) and low (1 cylinder) almost kept it steady. Had to touch service brakes 3 times.

[Olbird]

I am sure in another few months the top name hitch makers will have support brackets designed and made for the new box frame.
What took so much time was designing, measuring, cutting the steel brackets, drilling them, experimenting as you doing the install, once we did one side the other side went fast and we copied all built components in reverse.

[Mike Clay]

Well it does not work near as good as the real thing but it sure is MUCH better then just the allison trying to hold the weight back. Kind of strange watching the boost go up to 13 lbs plus when you have your foot off the gas but it works very well.

[rlhedlund]

Sweet. Nice truck.

Ask them if the turbo vane position sensor is covered under the 5 yr/100,000 mile warranty.
Mine was NOT.

[Mike Clay]

Slowly getting things put back on the truck. Got the SS around the fender wells still waiting for the dealer to get my step rails in (part of the deal) mud flaps next week at least the rear ones to protect the trailer for the Yellowstone trip. Dealer called me yesterday, they already sold my 08

[Rob & Cathy]

Are you getting a bed liner on this one?

Rob

[Mike Clay]

Later on I will looking at a different kind of bed cover no side rails to get in the way of my pin box but that will be down the road also. Still need to get the rear mud flaps on this next week then when I get back from Yellowstone will get the front ones.

[Rob & Cathy]

I was thinking more of a bed liner such as Line-X.

Rob

[Mike Clay]

Yes that to but will not get a line x this time Next week I will get you the name of it, talked to a couple people one from California had it for 6 years and it still looks new. But like normal I cant remember the name of it I think it was turbo liner but need to learn more about it. NW Running boards where i go to get most of my accessories now sprays it looked at there trucks and it looks great.

[Travelers]

I took my Bird into the dealer to have some warranty work done. Sitting in the lot was a brand new Mike truck with training wheels. Looks real good up close. I tracked the fellow down who had it and chatted him up. He was from GM and was having the dealer try to install various hitches. They were looking for issues. I quickly let him read Mike and George's experience and he took a couple of notes. I really think he was more interested in my phone.