Truck bed moves and makes noise over bumps

[Bulldogsram]

I have a new 5th gen Ram. Over bad road I can see the bed moving side to side over random bumps. If the bump covers both wheels I can actually see the rear of the bed looks like it hops. I can hear it in the cab, it’s loud, and anything I put back there ends up tipped over. I have never experience this with my previous 2005 ram or my 2016 f-150. I understand the need for flex, but this seems extreme and the slam noise after a both wheel hop is very noticeable in the cab. Is this something to do with the rear coil setup and normal. I don’t mind a stiff suspension but it’s almost like eventually the bolts are gonna snap holding the bed on. It is under warranty but going to the dealership is just asking for door dings and b/s answers. Just wanna check with you all about your trucks. At highway speeds I don’t see or hear anything but the 35 mph or so over bad road exploits the situation.

2019 bighorn / 20” wheels / 5.7l / 3.92 gears / crew cab 5’-7” bed

Thanks guys

 

[McBroom]

Take it in and ask them to check the bed bolts and bed alignment too this is not normal... the bed flex is built into the cross members under the bed.


The Blue Mule

 

[tidefan1967]

Find out what the recommended torque is for the bed bolts and check them yourself with a torque wrench. At least that's what I would do for the same reason you mentioned earlier. Hell I still haven't been to the dealer for the first recall....................

 

[Bulldogsram]

Find out what the recommended torque is for the bed bolts and check them yourself with a torque wrench. At least that's what I would do for the same reason you mentioned earlier. Hell I still haven't been to the dealer for the first recall....................

Thank you, I’m not very auto tech savvy and looked to find a couple of the bolts, any idea where to start to find info on finding them and details on torque settings size ect. I’m also curious if it is something suspension related, I have a hard time telling if the sound is the bed or something in the rear end causing such a rough ride. I fear a dealer trip is in my future and prepared to hear “we can’t duplicate the problem” or “it’s normal”. Thank you sir for your time and response I appreciate you trying to help.

I googled some things but these new rams I have a hard time finding info on. I appreciate this site and the help it gives.

 

[RamCares]

I have a new 5th gen Ram. Over bad road I can see the bed moving side to side over random bumps. If the bump covers both wheels I can actually see the rear of the bed looks like it hops. I can hear it in the cab, it’s loud, and anything I put back there ends up tipped over. I have never experience this with my previous 2005 ram or my 2016 f-150. I understand the need for flex, but this seems extreme and the slam noise after a both wheel hop is very noticeable in the cab. Is this something to do with the rear coil setup and normal. I don’t mind a stiff suspension but it’s almost like eventually the bolts are gonna snap holding the bed on. It is under warranty but going to the dealership is just asking for door dings and b/s answers. Just wanna check with you all about your trucks. At highway speeds I don’t see or hear anything but the 35 mph or so over bad road exploits the situation.

2019 bighorn / 20” wheels / 5.7l / 3.92 gears / crew cab 5’-7” bed

Thanks guys

Hi Bulldogsram,
Are you considering having this looked into further by your dealer? If so, please feel free to send our team a private message and we would be happy to get you connected with a Case Specialist to assist.
Alex
Ram Social Care Specialist

 

[tidefan1967]

Thank you, I’m not very auto tech savvy and looked to find a couple of the bolts, any idea where to start to find info on finding them and details on torque settings size ect. I’m also curious if it is something suspension related, I have a hard time telling if the sound is the bed or something in the rear end causing such a rough ride. I fear a dealer trip is in my future and prepared to hear “we can’t duplicate the problem” or “it’s normal”. Thank you sir for your time and response I appreciate you trying to help.

I googled some things but these new rams I have a hard time finding info on. I appreciate this site and the help it gives.

Did you check the tire pressure just out of curiosity? More often than not they have way too much air in them from the factory, same thing when you buy new tires seems like the installer always puts a few pounds more in there than what's needed. Personally I always run a couple lbs less than what the door sticker says because when they heat up they'll be at the right number. Too much air pressure is probably the number 1 reason for a rough ride.

As far as the bed bolts go I would assume somewhere in the range of 70-90 lb/ft. You can rent a torque wrench from your local parts store if you don't have one. From what I've heard some of those bolts are hard to get to on the 5th gens.

 

[JohnnyMac]

If you have a little extra time, I'd look for a parking lot with speed bumps or something that will duplicate the problem near the dealer, so you can take them to it and show them specifically. If they won't go with you, at least tell them where they can reproduce the problem. Good Luck and let us know how it goes...

 

[Bulldogsram]

Went to the dealer today, the experience was even worse than expected. They sent a guy to drive it, he verified the bed movement. I waited 30 minutes to get it written up, just for the guy to tell me I should take it to their body shop. It’s a block away.
At the body shop the manager looks at me like I’m crazy saying the bed is just bolted on. He threw his clip board onto op of my tonneau cover and scratched my paint with the metal clip. Then proceeded to push on the side of the truck bed in the middle of it and put two large dent impressions in the panel. He told me he is going to have to fix the dents now and for me to come back in about week since he doesn’t have any loaner cars at the moment. WTF. I’m wondering if I should make a police report to document this B.S.
So I am now driving a dented truck and have a shaking truck bed with nobody even close to diagnosing the problem. Only me man I swear! I’m gonna punish my liver for this, need beers stat