[fishdist]

Hi folks,

I have owned chev pickups for years, for towing my bass boat. Now I live near the water, and am ready to downsize. The Nitro has about the best tow rating for its size of anything on the market that I have found. I want the R/T for the big motor and its other features. The tests I have read say the R/T rides real bad, which could be a problem because the other use I will have for it is as my commute car. I would like to hear from R/T owners, especailly any of you that tow a boat with your R/T. Problems, good points, your overall impression. I am hot to go but want to hear your views, please.

Also, I am reading that the all wheel drive feature in the brochures has not been made available. Any news on that ??

Thanks a lot.

fishdist

 

[David Louis Harter]

Nitro R/T Ride Quality

The tests I have read say the R/T rides real bad, which could be a problem because the other use I will have for it is as my commute car.

My Nitro R/T's ride quality is extremely good, in my opinon. I fiind it more comfortable than my wife's new Toyota Yaris and considerably more comfortable than my previous vehicle, a Dodge Ramcharger. The R/T's ride is firmer than that of the SXT and SLT models, but that is something I enjoy, and the firmer ride is a byproduct of the R/T's advanced sport suspension.

I commute each day in my R/T and love the ride.

Also, I am reading that the all wheel drive feature in the brochures has not been made available. Any news on that ??

The Nitro is available only in 2WD and 4WD. The 4WD version is not AWD. It is switch-engaged 4WD.

 

[fishdist]

Thanks for the quick comeback. Did you do the leather trimmed or cloth seats? No adjustable lumbar on the driver's seat, is that right ?? Is it comfortable on longer drives ??

fishdist

 

[David Louis Harter]

NItro R/T Ride Quality

Thanks for the quick comeback. Did you do the leather trimmed or cloth seats? No adjustable lumbar on the driver's seat, is that right ?? Is it comfortable on longer drives ??

fishdist

My R/T has leather seats. I am 6'5" and have chronic lower back pain. Riding in the Nitro is very comfortable, however, and does not distress my back at all. It is a very comfortable ride, and the driver's seat is particularly comfortable.

 

[corsairkid]

As for ride quality, I have an SLT with the 17" rims. It is not as comfortable as my mom's escalade, as that thing has some big tires to absorb the shock, but it is much more soft that my dads g35, which has 18" rims with low pro tires. A lot of it has to do with the tires. The R/T will take the bumps a little more harshly than the SLT or SXT will with 16"s or 17"s. Overall, I think you will be fine.

 

[Fenrir.no]

I ride in the Inferno Red R/T, and the sport tuned suspension can be very much felt! There are a lot of bumpy roads around where I live and some of them can shake the Nitro pretty good. But when I get i on the highway it's all smooth sailing - love those high-speed on/off ramps... It's not meant for off-roading!
Seats are very comfortable, and with the R/T you also get more/powered adjustability for the driver!

 

[MyBluNITRO]

One more point of view fishdist. I have an R/T 4X4 and have changed the wheels/tires to 18" A/T. I like the ride now even better than stock because the 18" tires removed the harshness of the stock 20s but the suspension is firm and allows the vehicle to really handle through the turns. It really feels like it can go anywhere.

Not having all wheel drive is not a problem. The traction control is wonderful. If you need 4 wheel drive, it's available at just a flick of the switch.

The front seats are wonderful and with the combination of engine horsepower make for a very comfortable commuter. Stock, it is very quiet. Me, I have a Flowmaster on mine so quiet isn't one of my requirements.

 

[fishdist]

Wannabee no more, got my R/T

Thanks to all who were kind enough to post answers to my questions.
Bought this baby to commute in and to tow the boat. Happy to report she does both jobs quite well. I have heard from more than one person that smaller wheels will ride better than the 20s. For now I am in the learning period and researching various accessories to personalize the truck. Specs are standard R/T with tow pkg, killer sound, hands free phone and remote start (why ??), 4WD, 5 speed auto. That's it, no leather (I wanted leather dang it), no GPS, MYGig, DVD or sunroof. I will try to insert a pic here.

Truck & Boat cropped Quick e-mail view Small Web view.jpg

Thanks again, you are a great group

fishdist

 

[Fenrir.no]

and remote start (why ??)

Guess you don't live where winter can get cold...
Remote start is just genious when it is negative 20 degrees outside! Just start it 15 mins before you got to go and when you're ready, both engine and insides are nice and cozy and ready to go...

 

[David Louis Harter]

Remote Start

Guess you don't live where winter can get cold...
Remote start is just genious when it is negative 20 degrees outside! Just start it 15 mins before you got to go and when you're ready, both engine and insides are nice and cozy and ready to go...

It does not get very cold here. This morning it was 57 degrees, and that is cold for us. Remote start is great on HOT days, however! It is often 105-115 degrees for long periods, and having the air conditioning pre-set and starting the Nitro with the remote start is great!

 

[Fenrir.no]

It does not get very cold here. This morning it was 57 degrees, and that is cold for us. Remote start is great on HOT days, however! It is often 105-115 degrees for long periods, and having the air conditioning pre-set and starting the Nitro with the remote start is great!

Yeah, I guess that woks too...
btw. Northern Minnesota has already gotten it's first frost and flurries! BRRR! But I'm looking forward to it!

 

[fishdist]

One more point of view fishdist. I have an R/T 4X4 and have changed the wheels/tires to 18" A/T. I like the ride now even better than stock because the 18" tires removed the harshness of the stock 20s but the suspension is firm and allows the vehicle to really handle through the turns. It really feels like it can go anywhere.

Blue, you have a great looking car. When you downsized the wheels, did you lower the car ?? The 20"s have a ton of clearance in the wheelwells and I wondered if the 18"s make the wheelwell gaps look oversized,

fishdist

 

[MyBluNITRO]

One more point of view fishdist. I have an R/T 4X4 and have changed the wheels/tires to 18" A/T. I like the ride now even better than stock because the 18" tires removed the harshness of the stock 20s but the suspension is firm and allows the vehicle to really handle through the turns. It really feels like it can go anywhere.

Blue, you have a great looking car. When you downsized the wheels, did you lower the car ?? The 20"s have a ton of clearance in the wheel wells and I wondered if the 18"s make the wheel well gaps look over-sized,

fishdist

No, I have over-sized tires on mine. A little too big actually, but I cope.

Whichever wheel you go with you need to end up with a tire in a diameter of 29.3 to 29.6 inches. Don't go over 30" or they will rub your front inner wheel wells in a turn. 16" wheels are the smallest you can run on a Nitro due to the four wheel disk brakes.

Tim

 

[fishdist]

More Questions for Blue Nitro Guy

"Don't go over 30" or they will rub your front inner wheel wells in a turn."

Blue, I won't ask how you figured that one out. Is there a limit to wheel/tire downsizing before you have to get a differwent speedo gear to keep more or less correct speedo readings ?? Also what's the skinny on Magnaflow vs. Flowmaster ??

I sure appreciate all the info. My R/T suspension is softening up a little now that I've gone over 1K miles. I don't really have much not to like, but I denfinitely don't like the exhaust pipe ring (or whatever the sound is) when you punch it. The engine sound is almost knock-like compared to the V-8s I'm used to. Car performs just great.

I'm thinking about running boards, I like the your body color idea (my car is white !!). The running board is more of a full lentgth mud flap than something to step on, as far as I'm concerned.

Shimming the hitch today to eliminate the clunk when the trailer hits a bump.

fishdist

 

[fishdist]

Blue, check out the final item in my wannabee thread. I addresed to you but did it wrong. My bad. Magnaflow on Monday.

fishdist

 

[MyBluNITRO]

"Don't go over 30" or they will rub your front inner wheel wells in a turn."

Blue, I won't ask how you figured that one out. Is there a limit to wheel/tire downsizing before you have to get a differwent speedo gear to keep more or less correct speedo readings ?? Also what's the skinny on Magnaflow vs. Flowmaster ??

I sure appreciate all the info. My R/T suspension is softening up a little now that I've gone over 1K miles. I don't really have much not to like, but I denfinitely don't like the exhaust pipe ring (or whatever the sound is) when you punch it. The engine sound is almost knock-like compared to the V-8s I'm used to. Car performs just great.

I'm thinking about running boards, I like the your body color idea (my car is white !!). The running board is more of a full lentgth mud flap than something to step on, as far as I'm concerned.

Shimming the hitch today to eliminate the clunk when the trailer hits a bump.

fishdist

Yes, that is why I said keep your tire diameter between 29.3" and 29.6". These sizes should be easy to come by as they are factory sizes on SXT and SLT models. You can even go with wider (8" width) wheels and up to about 10" wide tires. You will need to work with a good tire shop.

Mufflers- I have a Flowmaster Series 40 on mine with dual exhaust, but I would just as happily own a Magnaflow. So enjoy!

 

[07nitr0]

Here's a tire calculator to help you out... I found it helpful. procomptires.com/conversionchart.htm
I just ordered 24's (24x9) with 255/30/24 tires and they are right at the 30" overall height. I'm still curious to see if I will have to do some cutting on the inner fender wells even tho I really don't want to. but the stock 20's are 29.6" so I don't think I will have a problem. I seen a DUB edition Nitro w/ 24's and custom lowered 3" also.

 

[MyBluNITRO]

Here's a tire calculator to help you out... I found it helpful. procomptires.com/conversionchart.htm
I just ordered 24's (24x9) with 255/30/24 tires and they are right at the 30" overall height. I'm still curious to see if I will have to do some cutting on the inner fender wells even tho I really don't want to. but the stock 20's are 29.6" so I don't think I will have a problem. I seen a DUB edition Nitro w/ 24's and custom lowered 3" also.

I have seen these pix also. The only thing that really bothers me is we don't actually know if that vehicle is drivable on the street. You can do a lot of things that look good if all you are doing is trucking a slick ride from display to display. I would trust this a lot more if I saw a video of it doing figure 8s in a parking lot.

I don't think you will have any problems with your 30" tires with the exception of a slight rub in tight turns. After a while this could rub through the inner fender wells and expose the sheet metal below (experience talking here!). This may not be a problem for you for several hundred miles. There could also be some slight rub on the painted portion of the fender where it wraps around into the fender well at the bottom rear fronts. I had to completely remove this section from mine. You will know what I am talking about if this occurs. I hope you have no rub. It really depends on the backspacing of the wheels you selected.

Good luck!

Tim