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BeerBrewer's avatar
BeerBrewer
Explorer
Jul 22, 2019

Ram 2500 rough ride question

I own a 2018 RAM 2500 CTD and I have a question about the rough ride. I've had quite a few 1/2 ton trucks but this is my first 2500. When I first purchased the truck I noticed a shimmy when driving on the highway (I wasn't towing at the time) so I took the truck back the dealer to have the tires re-balanced. That seemed to help some, but the truck still seems like something is off. If I'm on a smooth black top road, it rides fine until I hit a bump. Then it feels like the truck feels like the bed of truck skips or bounces more than it should. This happens when the bed empty or with few hundred lbs of **** in it. Almost like the tires are momentarily out of balance. I don't know if its because the tires are still slightly out of balance or if this is just normal for a 2500. I read about Centramatic Wheel Balancers and I was wondering if they might help. Tire Balancers, Tire Balancing, Wheel Balancer and Wheel Balancing from Centramatic

A couple weeks ago I loaded up the truck with tools (table saw, chop/miter saw, compressor, nail guns, wood, etc.) and headed up to my sons place (1 hour away) to do some repairs. When I got there my Rolair compressor, one of my nail guns and my Dewalt miter saw didn't work properly or at all. Luckily I was able to get everything working again by just taking them apart and readjusting everything. The vibrations caused the tools tools to go out of wack. That never happened with my other trucks and I've taken them as far as northern Maine (8-9 hrs drive) so I suspect that I have some sort of a vibration issue and I'm not sure why. The truck has Firestone Transforce AT tires on it that are inflated to 65 lbs in the front and 80 lbs in the rear. I guess they could be the issue, I just don't know.

Does anyone have any experience with Centramatic Balancers or know if the skipping I'm feeling is normal?
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  • twodownzero's avatar
    twodownzero
    Explorer
    Jul 22, 2019
    Put some good shocks on it. If your tires are properly balanced with good equipment, that isn't the problem. If you're driving empty, make sure you're at empty pressures. Mine are 50f and 40r according to the door. Some have said their newer trucks recommend full load tire pressures when empty because they aren't publishing light loading pressures anymore in the door. If you're running 70+ psi empty, your truck is going to ride horribly no matter what suspension you're running. The tires are your suspension for high frequency vibration; if they're hard as a rock your ride will be, too.
  • Cummins12V98's avatar
    Cummins12V98
    Explorer III
    Jul 22, 2019
    Bilstein 4600's. Then lower rear air to 40# or 5 psi over what your actual rear axle weighs compared to the weight/inflation chart for your tires.

    Report back.

    Oh yea when the light on the dash tells you to air up you just have to ignore it or put a pc of black tape over it.

    EVIL of owning a 2500.
  • goducks10's avatar
    goducks10
    Explorer
    Jul 22, 2019
    I recently swapped out my shocks on my 2018 Ram 2500 with Bilstiens 4600. Nice difference. Took the jitters out.
    Going from a 1/2 ton to a 3/4+ ton is part of the problem. 1/2 tons are definitely more cushy in the ride department.

    Only problem with airing down below the TPMS is if you're getting a flat you won't know it. BTDT. About 3 weeks ago while out camping the DW and I got in the truck to go to Sisters (10 miles) and the tire symbol was blinking. Scrolled thru the EVIC and sure enough the right rear was at 65 PSI. Got out and checked the RR tire and saw a screw in it. 1st stop was Les Scwhab.
  • ShinerBock's avatar
    ShinerBock
    Explorer
    Jul 22, 2019
    I have Bilstien shocks and an aftermarket front suspension from Thuren fabrication. Neither had as much effect on decreasing ride roughness that lowering the tire pressure did. I keep both front and back around 50 psi when not towing. My tires have 3k lb rating at 50 psi(which is more than enough for an unloaded truck) versus a 4k lb rating at 80 psi per the manufacturer.

    I lowered my TPMS sensor setting to alert me at 40 psi with the AlfaOBD app ($49 with android) so I don't have my low tire pressure light on.
  • kellem's avatar
    kellem
    Explorer
    Jul 22, 2019
    I agree with psi recommendations above....I run 40 in the back of my 2500 when not towing.
  • schlep1967's avatar
    schlep1967
    Nomad
    Jul 22, 2019
    Have a competent mechanic take a look at the front end. Make sure the ball joints and steering components are tight.
    I also agree with dropping the pressure in the rear tires. My 2007.5 has a light load setting that reduces the rears to 45 PSI. It makes a world of difference.
    Another thing to try is rotating you wheels front to back. I have a bent rim that vibrates at 60-64 mph when it is on the front.
  • wnjj's avatar
    wnjj
    Explorer II
    Jul 22, 2019
    I have Rancho adjustable shocks on my Chev 3500 and the temporary vibration you describe after hitting a bump is exactly what I get if I turn them down too far when running empty. My vote is for better shocks also.
  • parker_rowe's avatar
    parker_rowe
    Explorer
    Jul 22, 2019
    I have E range tires on my half ton.

    They where new take-offs from a Titan diesel, and were inflated to 80psi when I got them. The truck would bounce all over the place without the trailer hooked up. Really harsh ride on the littlest bumps, even with the lighter 1500 suspension.

    Dropped the pressures to 45 all around and it rode 10 times better unloaded.

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