Truck Handling - Vibration

[DoubleARS]

I have a 2005 Dodge Ram Quad cab. I haven't driven it much since getting my Camaro earlier this year. It has mostly been sitting my garage. I changed the oil today and took it for a drive.

What I noticed

• About 35-45 miles per hour, there is a vibration. It's not uncomfortable but still unpleasant. Low frequency.
• Around 45-65 mph, rides pretty smooth (like a truck).
• Over 65, slight vibration. High frequency.

My uneducated thoughts and facts

• I had new tires installed a few thousand miles before storing but never got an alignment. Would an alignment help?
• Do these issues sound like the tires were flat-spotted and it will go away with driving? The tires were all down to about 20 psi and I filled them to 35 psi before driving.

Any other thoughts? I'm just trying to come up with a place to start.

[BigMatt]

sounds like the tires could be off balance.

[shank0668]

Are the tires Goodyear 20 inch tires?

[bluetooth-ss]

Try getting the tires balanced and rotated and see if that helps.

[Number 3]

Usually you won't feel tire imbalance at lower speeds (35 mph). That sounds like flat spotting. My Sky used to do that if it sat for more than a week, but went away after 5 or 10 miles, no big deal.

The 65 mph and up could be wheel imbalance. Did you drive it much after you had the new tires installed? You said you had them put on a few thousand miles before storing it so if they were balanced when you put it away, they pretty much don't unbalance while sitting.

So sitting with low tire pressure for a while likely led to flat spots. Just my guess.

[DoubleARS]

Originally Posted by BigMatt

sounds like the tires could be off balance.

Thanks. I will see about getting them balanced.

Originally Posted by shank0668

Are the tires Goodyear 20 inch tires?

They are not. They are Cooper 20 inch.

Originally Posted by bluetooth-ss

Try getting the tires balanced and rotated and see if that helps.

I will rotate them tomorrow and see if that helps. Otherwise, off to balance.

Originally Posted by Number 3

Usually you won't feel tire imbalance at lower speeds (35 mph). That sounds like flat spotting. My Sky used to do that if it sat for more than a week, but went away after 5 or 10 miles, no big deal.

The 65 mph and up could be wheel imbalance. Did you drive it much after you had the new tires installed? You said you had them put on a few thousand miles before storing it so if they were balanced when you put it away, they pretty much don't unbalance while sitting.

So sitting with low tire pressure for a while likely led to flat spots. Just my guess.

I never really noticed the issue as bad as it is now. There was a slight vibration when I first got the tires but I assumed is was related to the deep tread. They did seem to wear a little and the issue went away. I have only put about 10 miles on since I first noticed this. I will drive a little more after I rotate and see if it goes away.

Thanks everyone!