Fishtailing On Gravel Road- 15 MPH?

[Falcon103]

Good evening,

I had to go on a gravel road today (it was like a harder surface with rocks dust, photo attached. It was very bumpy) and when I got to about 15 MPH the truck started to fishtail. It was so bad where if I would have went faster I would’ve lost control. I was in 2WD. Any ideas ? Sound normal ? I’m getting new tires this week , it current has the stock ones on it so hoping that may be to blame. No issues on asphalt. Thanks

2020 TB 5.3 V8 custom 4WD.

 

[Gangly]

Normal for GM's rear suspension, the rear shocks are inadequate. Replace the factory rear shocks with Eibachs or Bilsteins and the issue will magically correct itself.
1,000's of posts regarding this issue.

 

[Falcon103]

Normal for GM's rear suspension, the rear shocks are inadequate. Replace the factory rear shocks with Eibachs or Bilsteins and the issue will magically correct itself.
1,000's of posts regarding this issue.

Normal for GM's rear suspension, the rear shocks are inadequate. Replace the factory rear shocks with Eibachs or Bilsteins and the issue will magically correct itself.
1,000's of posts regarding this issue.

Normal for GM's rear suspension, the rear shocks are inadequate. Replace the factory rear shocks with Eibachs or Bilsteins and the issue will magically correct itself.
1,000's of posts regarding this issue.

Ahhhh. Thank you so much .

 

[Falcon103]

Normal for GM's rear suspension, the rear shocks are inadequate. Replace the factory rear shocks with Eibachs or Bilsteins and the issue will magically correct itself.
1,000's of posts regarding this issue.

Hello,
So I replaced the factory rear shocks with Bilsteins and the issue happened again haha. I have the tires under inflated about 7PSI from the rec'd. Just not sure where to go from here. Any thoughts would be most appreciated.

Tires are Ridgegrappler LT275/65 R20 at 35 PSI is what I was running.

 

[Alster]

Im assuming the tire your running an LT is a 10 ply tire , i would recommend a minimum of 40 psi cold pressure, i do this with my LT 275/60r20 toyo at3's and don't experience the fishtailing you are

 

[Falcon103]

Im assuming the tire your running an LT is a 10 ply tire , i would recommend a minimum of 40 psi cold pressure, i do this with my LT 275/60r20 toyo at3's and don't experience the fishtailing you are

Interesting. Everyone telling me to lower PSI to 20, you run higher PSI?

 

[Alster]

Yes 40 psi minimum, i would think 20 psi is really pinching your sidewall in a bad way, On the toyo web site they have a chart for tire loads and pressures and actual vehicle search for correct pressures on certain wheels, i have a 2024 LT with 5.3 and they recommend 42f and 46r i run them all at 40 and after driving for awhile they bump up a few psi and keep in mind too with a 10 ply tire they say max pressure you can use is 80psi for heavy loads or towing i would assume, which id never need or do. So 20psi to me feels way to low to run if your tires a 10 ply (LT).Btw my rides very comfortable and tires isnt wearing down in a bad way at all.
P.S. my stock tire Goodyear dueller AT 275/60/r20 not a LT was run at 35 psi minumum, per door placard reommendation

 

[Stormin08]

I run a toyo RT, E load...and CHALK my trad to set PSI cold....it typically ends up at 40 psi cold

 

[PHXPHOTOG]

There is a couple of things going on here. You probably would not have gone faster and lost control when it slipped even if you tried. Your traction control kicked in and a lot suddenly happened you might not have been aware of. It feels weird when it kicks in. The truck reacts to a spinning rear wheel by dumping power to that wheel. Simultaneously it governs the engine and limits it to 1,500 RPM so you cant go any faster than that. Traction Control takes over your vehicle to prevent sliding. This is in 2wd, default conditions, 4wd is a different story. I suggest going back to that road and intentionally sliding the truck with TC turned on and off. That will help you get a feel for what works best for your rig and driving style. On dirt roads my TC is always off. But that's my preference.

You did not waste money on shocks. That was good advice and it is in play here. Good shocks help keep tires on the ground.

The real problem here is nothing new and inherent in ALL pick up trucks. With an empty bed there is very little weight over the rear axle. There is not enough weight for good traction on slippery surfaces. That is why a lot of people in snow country throw sand bags over the axle in the winter. It works very well. I am on slippery dirt roads all the time. I don't have your problem because my bed has and assortment of tools and gear in it all the time. Just my standard load is enough to help.

Steve