[Raffy]

I am quite impressed with the bang for your buck we get from our trailblazers, but if there was one thing I wish to improve on my RS, it would be a softer suspension. I rather not consider air shocks due to their price. Any other recommendations? Better quality shocks (non-air)? New tires? I would like to hear some suggestions......
Thanks

 

[brownactive]

I like the ride of my ACTIV model. It does get a bit tiring on longer drives (4 hours plus) but around town I like it. I have driven Miatas for years off and on so I don't mind firm rides.

 

[ZR2LIFE]

I haven't seen any aftermarket struts or shocks for the 21 Trailblazer. GM currently makes 6 different front struts and 6 different rear shocks for our vehicles. The Activ shocks are tuned for off road driving.

 

[kjg48359]

Raffy: what model do you have? One thing that I don't think most people understand that that having "cooler" wheels in most cases translates into taller rims (ie. 18" vs 17" rims). Which means that the tire side wall profiles are "lower" which can result in a much harsher feeling on bumps/pot holes/bridge expansion joints etc because the side walls are so short.

Using a smaller wheel can help.

(there's always a trade off, isn't there?)

 

[Raffy]

Raffy: what model do you have? One thing that I don't think most people understand that that having "cooler" wheels in most cases translates into taller rims (ie. 18" vs 17" rims). Which means that the tire side wall profiles are "lower" which can result in a much harsher feeling on bumps/pot holes/bridge expansion joints etc because the side walls are so short.

Using a smaller wheel can help.

(there's always a trade off, isn't there?)

Kevin I have the RS model. The sidewalls are fairly beefy, I've owned SUV's with much thinner sidewalls that had a softer ride. I am going to speak to my service department and see if they have any suggestions. I'm hoping maybe just an upgraded set of shocks.
Thanks

 

[JASmith]

I haven't seen any aftermarket struts or shocks for the 21 Trailblazer. GM currently makes 6 different front struts and 6 different rear shocks for our vehicles. The Activ shocks are tuned for off road driving.

Hi, I've been searching all over and can't really find specs on different trims. Can you recommend a resource that talks about different ride height, spring rates, and dampers on the 21 TB?

If I understand right, if you want the softest suspension with the most travel, and I do, you want to go with the ACTIV trim, is that right?

 

[ZR2LIFE]

Ground clearance is as follows, the base model L has 7.0", FWD LS LT RS and Activ have 7.5" and AWD LS LT RS and Activ have 8.0". The Activ has specially tuned shocks to handle rough roads. Some reviews of the Activ say the shocks are too stiff, so it's hard to say if they are "softer" than the others.

As far as spring rates, I haven't found that information yet, but if you do please post it here. If you go to Rock Auto and input a 2021 Trailblazer, you will see there are 3 different part numbers for the front struts and 3 different part numbers for the rear shocks. It would be nice to know the differences between them all.

 

[JASmith]

Some reviews of the Activ say the shocks are too stiff, so it's hard to say if they are "softer" than the others.

Interesting, as on reviews I was hearing the RS was too stiff, so perhaps the Activ and RS have the same suspension, and its merely a wheel/tire/cosmetic difference.

 

[ZR2LIFE]

Interesting, as on reviews I was hearing the RS was too stiff, so perhaps the Activ and RS have the same suspension, and its merely a wheel/tire/cosmetic difference.

The Activ and RS have the same suspension, but the Activ does have specially tuned struts/shocks that are different than the other models. Both may feel similar but the valving in the Activ shocks is designed to handle rough terrain. The Activ also gets smaller 17" rims vs the 18" rims on the RS. The smaller rim with a taller sidewall was used to help soften the bumps off road.

 

[Number6]

Interesting, as on reviews I was hearing the RS was too stiff, so perhaps the Activ and RS have the same suspension, and its merely a wheel/tire/cosmetic difference.

I’ve read people complain about the RS ride is too stiff also. I have an RS and think the ride is just fine. I think it gives me a good feel of the road, I feel more connected. Of course I’m used to also driving a ‘60 Brit sportscar which has ride like buckboard. 😃

 

[ZR2LIFE]

I’ve read people complain about the RS ride is too stiff also. I have an RS and think the ride is just fine. I think it gives me a good feel of the road, I feel more connected. Of course I’m used to also driving a ‘60 Brit sportscar which has ride like buckboard. 😃

I also think they RS rides fine. GM could have done a little better with road noise, but it's still better than some other Chevys I've had.

 

[JASmith]

I also think they RS rides fine. GM could have done a little better with road noise, but it's still better than some other Chevys I've had.

Hmm, that's a bit of concern, and something I didn't notice on my test drive, then again I didn't even notice on our glass smooth highway by the dealership how much stiffer the Charger Scat Pack was than the regular Charger, but after a couple weeks it was like woah, woops.

I'm actually looking to trade in an incredibly loud and moderately harsh riding vehicle for something softer and quieter, so I'm wondering if for my specific niche I should be looking elsewhere. I also liked the Seltos, but at least the SX Turbo I drove didn't seem any softer or quieter than the TB. Hmmm...

I hear, no pun intended, that the Equinox is quiet and also plush, but it doesn't have that certain something in style and overall package that the TB has that makes it feel fresh. Equinox just seems, well, blah. Any other recommendations to test drive? I'm thinking even though I'm not as fond of the look that I should checkout the Forester since they are supposed to be soft and quiet.

 

[ZR2LIFE]

One thing to check which seams to be common is the air pressure in the tires. All Trailblazers shipped from Korea have about 50psi in the tires which is the max inflation pressure. They apparently do this for shipping reasons and to prevent flat spotting. Every Trailblazer we took on a test drive seemed a ride a bit rough and there was a little road noise. Almost all the dealerships have missed this and sell them as is with way too much air pressure which is unsafe. I lowered the air in mine to 38psi which made a huge difference in ride quality and road noise. I believe the door sticker shows 35psi cold.

 

[Raffy]

One thing to check which seams to be common is the air pressure in the tires. All Trailblazers shipped from Korea have about 50psi in the tires which is the max inflation pressure. They apparently do this for shipping reasons and to prevent flat spotting. Every Trailblazer we took on a test drive seemed a ride a bit rough and there was a little road noise. Almost all the dealerships have missed this and sell them as is with way too much air pressure which is unsafe. I lowered the air in mine to 38psi which made a huge difference in ride quality and road noise. I believe the door sticker shows 35psi cold.

My tires were preset at 40/41 and brought them down to 35, it made a noticeable difference.

 

[JEdward]

Interesting, as on reviews I was hearing the RS was too stiff, so perhaps the Activ and RS have the same suspension, and its merely a wheel/tire/cosmetic difference.

The smaller wheels/fatter tires on the Activ surely offer a little more forgiveness than the wheels on the RS, but that would only apply to the 2021 model as I believe the Activ is getting bigger wheels for 2022. Regardless, the Activ does not have a "soft" suspension by any means. But it's not terrible to drive on a washboard and never really uncomfortably stiff.

 

[Alex1976]

Anyone sorted out problem of stiff ride? I have Activ version and tires are at 35 psi. It handles road and small bumps well, but anything above 1,5 in is real pain.. this makes any paved road drive terrible as well is occasional bumps on asphalt road also make trouble.
I tried to drop tire pressure down to 30 psi and it helped a lot but but tires are really start looking underinflated as well as car itself looses about 1 in clearance.