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kfp673's avatar
kfp673
Explorer II
Apr 22, 2019

Strange Ram 2500 Vibration

Hello All..

Sorry in advance for the long post, but I am looking to see if we have anyone else with similar experience or thoughts. I have a 2018 Ram2500 with the 6.4L 4:10. I love the truck and it tows my 35' TT very well. We just got back today from a 2k mile round trip with the trailer from PA to FL. In general it towed great and was a great ride but I experienced a strange vibration that sometimes lasted for hours and other times was gone..
Little back story, most of my camping is within 3 hours from me here in PA. To get to these parks I only use small stretches of highway and generally those roads are not in great shape so its easy not to notice things or blame the bad roads. I mention this because it is rare I get long stretches of flat interstate while towing my trailer.

So, getting right to it, when under load I get a pretty heavy vibration but only when traveling between 65-75 mph and only when torque is being used. The vibration is one that my kids thought was funny because they could say ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh and it sounded like you were beating on your chest fast. Quite annoying to me but at least they found it funny... :M

A few thoughts. It seems to me like something in the torque converter or somewhere else in the drive line. I say this becuase when the TC engages is the only time I feel it. For example, if I am cruising at 70mph, the vibration might remain there the entire time and at first I thought tire balance issue (even though I had them balanced last week and they feel perfect without towing) however the second I let my foot off the gas the vibration is gone immediately. Also, stomp on the gas causing the truck to down shift and for the first few seconds after the sift, no vibration. As the RPM's drop slightly as the TC engages the vibration comes right back. So I dont believe it is a wheel or tire issue as I would think that would present itself regardless of throttle.

Now for the biggest kicker... We just got back from a 2000 mile round trip. The entire 1000 mile trip heading to FL I mentally told myself it had something to do with the road condition similar to porposing because I would hit a nice smooth patch and BAM, it's gone. BUT, that proved to not be true and as the trip went on it proved to not matter. Obviously bad roads, or uneven roads cause bouncing or even vibration, but even on nice smooth roads I would get this effect a lot of the time and randomly it would disappear. 81N in VA I had a super smooth section where I could not lose the vibration for 2 hours. Stopped for gas and got back on the road and it was gone (or much less noticeable) for a while.

Now I know taking the truck to the dealer with this info is useless. Especially becuase I would have to bring my camper along and we dont have anywhere near me I can get them up to 70mph, so I want to do as much research as possible before engaging the dealer.

Am I missing something? Anyone ever have this issue? Thanks for your help!

20 Replies

  • BenK wrote:
    U joints


    Best, cheapest and easiest place to start.
  • I have noticed the same thing with my 2014 6.4. I believe it’s the fan clutch.
  • If you Google Ram Truck Vibrations you'll see a lot of complaints about driveline vibration at highway speeds. You might want to read those before going to a dealer. Several people complaining about the same thing. Maybe there's explanations so you can advise your dealer what to check.
  • Thanks all. Here are a few replies..

    - Yes Tow/Haul mode was activated the entire time. Definitely not a "lugging" issue as I can be climbing over 2k RPM and as I climb it will stay there if I am on the gas. Release the gas and immediately gone.

    - The vibration I am referring to only happens when towing. I do have a "buzz" type vibration right at the 1700-2000 RPM mark I can feel no matter what as well, but this is an actual vibration.

    I guess I will have to take it in and talk to have them take a look
  • If NOT in tow/ haul mode the transmission will shift into 6th gear and the cylinder deactivation will be in play. When four cylinders are deactivated there is a slight rumble.

    In tow haul, my truck( identical to yours) never goes into ECO mode and no vibration.

    If you manually set the top gear to 6th, it will not go into cylinder deactivation. I asked my dealer if this cylinder deactivation feature could be deleted...no can do.

    Also, I wish when you have a trailer attached, the truck would stay in tow haul. Can’t tell you how many times on my 9200 mile trip I forgot to select TH.

    And I’m pulling a 7000 trailer.....
  • Driveshaft alignment? Do you get the vibration when not towing? Or only when towing? Had a '91 GMC where the driveshaft was outta whack when towing, but okay when not. GM had re-do the driveshaft and bearing hanger/relocation. Problem solved.
  • I have a 2018 2500 6.4, 4.10 and have not had that. I only have 7,000 miles on it and probably only around 1500 miles towing.
    I don't tow over 65 mph so can't help with the higher speed towing.
    How many miles on your truck?
  • Had a very similar experience that went on for hundreds of miles and many hours. Then BANG! I nearly lost a back wheel. Looked at wheel and suddenly only had 3 lugs of 8 left and they were loose.