This is the letter I sent to Ram. I'm sure it will result in nothing.
The recommended pressure for front axle tires is 60 psi, with axle load rating of 5500 pounds. The recommended pressure for rear axle tires is 80 psi with axle rating of 6500 pounds. According to Firestone, the manufacturer of the factory installed tires, the pressure required for even rear axle max load weight rating is 70 psi. For normal load of 3000 to even 5000 pounds on the rear axle, 50 psi is more than adequate according to Firestone. At 50 psi a load range E tire can carry 2680 pounds, giving an axle capacity of 5360--well over the daily weight for most non-commercial drivers.
Ram has previously recommended two tire pressures for the 2500 series, with a light load pressure and a heavy load pressure. On previous models Ram even provided owners a switch to toggle between loads according to their present needs. This switched the TPMS from one warning point to another so that owners benefited from the low pressure warning system whether lightly or fully loaded, and allowed for proper inflation rather than over inflation during light duty operation.
In subsequent years the toggle was removed, but owners could still have their servicing dealership adjust the computer set points to a proper daily pressure below the factory set points. I attempted to have this done at my dealership and their effort was unsuccessful. It appears that Ram has locked the computer and disabled any reprogramming of the low tire pressure set point.
Over inflated tires not only wear poorly, they are dangerous. Over inflation greatly reduces the tread patch that contacts the road surface, causes excessive and unnecessary bouncing, increases the risk of tire damage from pot holes, and basically provides for an unsatisfactory driving experience. I'm certain the engineers at Ram are aware of these facts because in previous years they provided for BOTH light and heavy service inflation. It is utterly unacceptable and grossly negligent for Ram to recommend, and basically require, that owners operate their 7000 pound vehicles on tires inflated to carry over 13000 pounds. Ram is causing possibly millions, certainly hundreds of thousands of truck owners, to unwittingly endanger themselves and others on highways around the country with these dangerous tire inflation recommendations.
I can think of no reason beyond laziness and penny pinching that might induce a manufacturer to so grossly endanger the lives of their customers and their families—not to mention everyone else that shares the roadways with them. Ram MUST immediately notify their customers of the unsafe driving conditions they have been knowingly subjected to by their trucks’ manufacturer. Ram MUST alert dealerships and issue a “flash” for them to install on trucks that have been delivered to customers in this unsafe condition.
I await a response.
