[Firecat21]

Are these trucks (2014 1500 Big Horn Crew Cab)with the 20" wheels "sensitive" to slight road ripples and imperfections. I'm just looking for some opinions here. I have already changed the tires to Michelin LTX MS2's and where it did change the overall ride for the better, mostly better tracking and slightly smoother, I still get a LOT of road feedback. More than I had expected anyway.

I really don't think its a balance issue because I'm on my second set of tires and I can feel imperfections in the road even at very low speeds. It's not horrible but I just expected smoother.

I haven't had a truck in a few years so I'm thinking maybe I'm expecting too much of a truck with 20" wheels???

Thanks

 

[beeg3]

I have the Michelins, also. I've had quite a few different pick-ups over the years and this seems to be quietest and smoothest of any of them.

 

[Grunt0311]

I haven't noticed it in my Outdoorsman, but I also insisted on the 17" wheels. That may make a difference.

 

[Firecat21]

Yes, I would think the 17's are a bit more forgiving. I do love the look of the 20's though--

Doesn't the Outdoorsman come with more of an off-road tire? Do more aggressive treads handle road ripples and such better than an all-season tire?

 

[Maine Ram]

Yes, 20s in general feel like that. My Big Horn is the same way. Overall the suspension is the best in the business, but broken pavement, joints, and cracks in these 20s are more noticeable than say a 17 inch wheel. You'll find the same with other trucks. It's a symptom of the low sidewall. Sort of annoying.

 

[Firecat21]

I'm glad to hear that and glad it's not my imagination, although I know I'm focusing on it more than I should. Part of my problem too is that I'm comparing the ram to my wife's 07 yukon denali which also has the 20's. Just a different ride-- air suspension etc. Different animal. Not a pickup.

Thanks

 

[BigWader]

I know you have new tires but also consider checking the pressure. My ram from the dealer was running 43 lbs+ in every tire even though the door sticker says 39. I dropped it down and whether dreaming or not I believe it made it smoother.

 

[Firecat21]

Thank you--yes I have played around with the pressure, currently around 36 just to see if there is a difference. I does help a bit, feels a bit more planted when going over ripples in the asphalt. I'll probably put it back to 39 though, either way I don't think it will cause any tire wear problems.

Still trying to figure out why the tag on the door says 39lbs all around on the Big Horn (other than maybe improving fuel economy) Do all the other Ram models with 20" wheels have recommended air pressure of 39lbs?

 

[mfifield01]

This is the nicest truck I've ridden in, but I have the Air Suspension.

My LoneStar with 20" is 39lbs on the door.

 

[Fishwhisper]

I have the Express with 20" rims and they require 39lbs too. Mine are a little high from the dealer at about 41lbs, just can't remember to let some air out. But, like you said you do feel the road pretty well with these wheels. Lower sidewalls have to be stiffer to support the load of the truck.

I bought a brand new 96 Probe GT and for a week I thought I literally could feel a dime on the road, it was so rough. I was youngish and thought it was just the sport suspension. Went to vacuum my car and it had a air guage/compressor checked the tires and all tires had 50+lbs of air, the ride got much better.

 

[RedDodge]

I came out of a 2011 into my current 2014, the change in the Goodyear tire type has made the ride better than the prior and I think the current tread pattern is going to be better in the snow this year. Although the 2011 rode well the tire was more suited for dry pavement with the square shoulders and more of a performance street tread.

I have no complaints about the ride, it's the nicest ride out of our 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee and R/T Challenger.

 

[andyo5]

I have a Bighorn with 20" wheels and run 39 lb cold pressure. I love the ride.
I don't understand the need for large diameter rims. My Jeep had 15" rims and ran 36 lb pressures. Larger rims require higher pressures because the tires are thinner. Thinner tires = less rubber. Maybe that's the reason for large diameter tires.

 

[greg4ram1500]

much rougher ride in ANY truck with 20's in mu opinion.......I drove both when I bought mine.
A Tradesman with 17's, and an Express with 20's. The 20's rode like crap.
Not to mention the SPARE TIRE wasn't even a 20, it was a 17.

Same thing with FORD (previous). 17's ride better than 18's......

 

[14Hemi]

I spent a month in a SLT with 17's before I got my Express with 20's. There was a noticeable difference in ride quality- both 2014's and both stock 4x4. The 17's felt more "plush" and forgiving. The ride of the 20's isn't bad by any stretch, I don't mind the road feel. It's a trade off for feeling more secure moving this 3 ton battleship around a corner.

 

[Firecat21]

Thanks for all the replies. To be honest if I had it to do over again I would go with the 17in wheels to improve ride quality. My truck takes the big bumps fine with the 20's, it's the small ripples, cracks and any over road imperfections that transmit through the truck that bother me. Feels like a lot of road vibrations even a low speeds.

Does anyone know if changing shocks would smooth out the road feedback and vibrations? Just curious because if there is a way to improve it other than changing the tires to a 17in I would consider it.

I love the truck, just trying to fine tune this issue I'm having with it.

Thanks

 

[zsqure]

I have 20" wheels and GY tires. I think the ride is GREAT, but my last 4 cars have been German so this is a treat. If you want a buick ride buy a buick:0.

 

[Firecat21]

I test drove a Buick, didn't like it. : ) I also test drove a Sierra and silverado. Thought the ride was very nice overall, they both had the 18in wheels. I ended up going with the ram because it had more options for the money and I really like the interior. In the end though it was the price and powertrain that swayed my decision to the Ram.

 

[Gator365]

I had a 13 F150 and just traded for a 14 Ram,The F150 was a bulkey ride the Ram rides so much better,Also the steering in the Ford was bad to the Ram

 

[bubba33]

I wouldn't drop them too much. You will have the tire monitor in the evic show up on cold mornings.

 

[Firecat21]

Yes I agree. The ram does handle great, actually drives smaller than it looks.