Road Noise

[kobra]

Hi all,

I searched but didn't see threads about noise other than rattles. I don't have rattles but do believe I have above normal road noise.
2020 RAM 3500 Limited HO, SRW. So far, still stock tires and wheels. The only addon is a Retrax bed cover.

I have hearing damage so I know I am overly sensitive to road noise. So, to test, I run apps on my iphone, one called "Decibel X" and also another called "Niosh SLM"; both return similar results so I just use the first one for convenience. I understand that these are apps on an iphone and not an SPL meter and that they are not calibrated, but I guess my thought is that it's the same phone with the same apps so the results should be consistent even if not completely accurate. I'm open to being challenged on this and will get an SPL meter if that is needed.

Some tests: (all tests with same phone held at ear level above center console)
-prior truck, 2016 RAM 2500 Limited (6.7/68rfe). Apps test about 85db noise.
-test drive in summer on 2020 RAM 3500 Limited (very similar but we ordered to get the navy interior and air suspension; otherwise the same). Apps test at about 76db. That was a quiet truck!
-new truck, 2020 RAM 3500 Limited, apps test at 83db. Better than the last truck, but barely - where is my noise reducing glass and ANC?
-some wind noise observed, so trip to dealer to adjust both front doors (my last 3 RAMS have all needed this, sigh). They also confirmed that the ANC is working properly. Retest, apps show 81db. Better but not by much and not even close to the test drive in the summer!

In the 5thgenrams forum, there are a few long threads about the 1500 RAMS and how there have been some noisy ones amongst the mostly really quiet ones. Some members there have gone all out with Dynamat, etc. I am not interested in doing that. But, one thing that stood out from that forum is that some have found that the rear cab vents are noisy when open and contribute greatly to road noise. There are some suggestions there on how to build some covers that apparently can really help.

Given all the hype from RAM about the new models being 10db quieter than prior generation, and the testing from TFL trucks and others, I guess I expected to get a much quieter truck.
The dealer said they are willing to keep working on it, but they say it could be the cold weather and the stiffness of rubber cab mounts, etc. I can't test in the warm weather anytime soon so cannot confirm whether the cold weather is the issue or not.

My questions to this group are:
-Has anyone else noticed excessive road noise?
-If so, does anyone have ideas that have helped to reduce the noise?

I would like to get back to the quiet ride of the one I test drove in the summer, and I'm sure not there yet.

Thanks in advance for any feedback and suggestions!
B

 

[H3LZSN1P3R]

Hi all,

I searched but didn't see threads about noise other than rattles. I don't have rattles but do believe I have above normal road noise.
2020 RAM 3500 Limited HO, SRW. So far, still stock tires and wheels. The only addon is a Retrax bed cover.

I have hearing damage so I know I am overly sensitive to road noise. So, to test, I run apps on my iphone, one called "Decibel X" and also another called "Niosh SLM"; both return similar results so I just use the first one for convenience. I understand that these are apps on an iphone and not an SPL meter and that they are not calibrated, but I guess my thought is that it's the same phone with the same apps so the results should be consistent even if not completely accurate. I'm open to being challenged on this and will get an SPL meter if that is needed.

Some tests: (all tests with same phone held at ear level above center console)
-prior truck, 2016 RAM 2500 Limited (6.7/68rfe). Apps test about 85db noise.
-test drive in summer on 2020 RAM 3500 Limited (very similar but we ordered to get the navy interior and air suspension; otherwise the same). Apps test at about 76db. That was a quiet truck!
-new truck, 2020 RAM 3500 Limited, apps test at 83db. Better than the last truck, but barely - where is my noise reducing glass and ANC?
-some wind noise observed, so trip to dealer to adjust both front doors (my last 3 RAMS have all needed this, sigh). They also confirmed that the ANC is working properly. Retest, apps show 81db. Better but not by much and not even close to the test drive in the summer!

In the 5thgenrams forum, there are a few long threads about the 1500 RAMS and how there have been some noisy ones amongst the mostly really quiet ones. Some members there have gone all out with Dynamat, etc. I am not interested in doing that. But, one thing that stood out from that forum is that some have found that the rear cab vents are noisy when open and contribute greatly to road noise. There are some suggestions there on how to build some covers that apparently can really help.

Given all the hype from RAM about the new models being 10db quieter than prior generation, and the testing from TFL trucks and others, I guess I expected to get a much quieter truck.
The dealer said they are willing to keep working on it, but they say it could be the cold weather and the stiffness of rubber cab mounts, etc. I can't test in the warm weather anytime soon so cannot confirm whether the cold weather is the issue or not.

My questions to this group are:
-Has anyone else noticed excessive road noise?
-If so, does anyone have ideas that have helped to reduce the noise?

I would like to get back to the quiet ride of the one I test drove in the summer, and I'm sure not there yet.

Thanks in advance for any feedback and suggestions!
B

Mine is really quiet much quieter than my wife's car it got slightly louder when i added the window visors but i can hear very little outside of the truck

 

[kobra]

Thanks for the update. That's what we were expecting too.

It's interesting that there are a number of threads with pages of complaints and fixes on forums about the 5th gen 1500's but nothing here.
I hope I'm not the only one with this issue; at least if others have a noisy truck there might be some suggestions on how to resolve.

B

 

[Speedracer93CobraR]

Mine is nice and quiet.
Is there a chance that your app. picks up and reads sound levels that the human hear doesn't detect due the noise canceling technology?

 

[Squatch]

Mine is amazingly quiet and refined, but I’m coming from an 06 turbo-back 6 speed 5.9 that was howling for attention.

 

[kobra]

Mine is nice and quiet.
Is there a chance that your app. picks up and reads sound levels that the human hear doesn't detect due the noise canceling technology?

I'm not sure, but that is entirely possible. I'm going to order an SPL meter from Amazon and test again.
Thanks!

B

 

[H3LZSN1P3R]

I'm not sure, but that is entirely possible. I'm going to order an SPL meter from Amazon and test again.
Thanks!

B

Do you have louvers on your side windows? I just installed some on my truck this weekend and i have found a slight increase in wind noise from them still nothing outrageous for sound though

 

[kobra]

Do you have louvers on your side windows? I just installed some on my truck this weekend and i have found a slight increase in wind noise from them still nothing outrageous for sound though

No, right now all is stock, except for a Retrax bed cover. But, thanks for suggesting this; I am still trying to figure this puzzle out.

One test I did; I had the rear seats up (CC) to carry some tools in the back seat. I lowered the seats and went for a drive and the road noise is improved. According the Decibels app, it was about 2db quieter.
So, I still suspect there might be some noise from the rear cab vents, and that when the seats are down they are blocking some of that noise.
Also, seats down, the recirculation button makes no difference. (on the 1500 forum, some said it did...)

B

 

[Great White North Eh]

Ya that’s strange my 19 Laramie is nice and quiet. More quiet than my 12 and way quieter than the 05 with strait pipe duel 5’’ I used to have. I could here the wife coming home in that 5.9 about 5 miles down the road!

 

[longhaul]

Hi all,

I searched but didn't see threads about noise other than rattles. I don't have rattles but do believe I have above normal road noise.
2020 RAM 3500 Limited HO, SRW. So far, still stock tires and wheels. The only addon is a Retrax bed cover.

I have hearing damage so I know I am overly sensitive to road noise. So, to test, I run apps on my iphone, one called "Decibel X" and also another called "Niosh SLM"; both return similar results so I just use the first one for convenience. I understand that these are apps on an iphone and not an SPL meter and that they are not calibrated, but I guess my thought is that it's the same phone with the same apps so the results should be consistent even if not completely accurate. I'm open to being challenged on this and will get an SPL meter if that is needed.

Some tests: (all tests with same phone held at ear level above center console)
-prior truck, 2016 RAM 2500 Limited (6.7/68rfe). Apps test about 85db noise.
-test drive in summer on 2020 RAM 3500 Limited (very similar but we ordered to get the navy interior and air suspension; otherwise the same). Apps test at about 76db. That was a quiet truck!
-new truck, 2020 RAM 3500 Limited, apps test at 83db. Better than the last truck, but barely - where is my noise reducing glass and ANC?
-some wind noise observed, so trip to dealer to adjust both front doors (my last 3 RAMS have all needed this, sigh). They also confirmed that the ANC is working properly. Retest, apps show 81db. Better but not by much and not even close to the test drive in the summer!

In the 5thgenrams forum, there are a few long threads about the 1500 RAMS and how there have been some noisy ones amongst the mostly really quiet ones. Some members there have gone all out with Dynamat, etc. I am not interested in doing that. But, one thing that stood out from that forum is that some have found that the rear cab vents are noisy when open and contribute greatly to road noise. There are some suggestions there on how to build some covers that apparently can really help.

Given all the hype from RAM about the new models being 10db quieter than prior generation, and the testing from TFL trucks and others, I guess I expected to get a much quieter truck.
The dealer said they are willing to keep working on it, but they say it could be the cold weather and the stiffness of rubber cab mounts, etc. I can't test in the warm weather anytime soon so cannot confirm whether the cold weather is the issue or not.

My questions to this group are:
-Has anyone else noticed excessive road noise?
-If so, does anyone have ideas that have helped to reduce the noise?

I would like to get back to the quiet ride of the one I test drove in the summer, and I'm sure not there yet.

Thanks in advance for any feedback and suggestions!
B

Did you ever find a solution for this? My dealer is saying it is likely my aftermarket Weatherguard over the rail toolbox that is increasing wind noise. But this problem started before I even had the tool box. They replaced rear window and I can still notice noise without the toolbox, but the toolbox makes it terrible. Interesting that the noise is now constant, whereas before the window replacement, I had to point it out to the wife. She now quickly notices it on her own. Looking for solutions. Thanks!

 

[762fmj]

Thanks for the update. That's what we were expecting too.

It's interesting that there are a number of threads with pages of complaints and fixes on forums about the 5th gen 1500's but nothing here.
I hope I'm not the only one with this issue; at least if others have a noisy truck there might be some suggestions on how to resolve.

B

I could be totally off base. But I assume that HD buyers are more willing to accept things like rougher ride and road noise vs 1/2 ton buyers.

 

[flan]

I could be totally off base. But I assume that HD buyers are more willing to accept things like rougher ride and road noise vs 1/2 ton buyers.

You would think, but there are a lot of people that drive a HD truck for no reason other than to flex on their neighbors haha

 

[longhaul]

A rougher ride and some noise is one thing, and expected. Having so much additional wind noise that sitting in the rear seat is uncomfortable is another.

 

[762fmj]

A rougher ride and some noise is one thing, and expected. Having so much additional wind noise that sitting in the rear seat is uncomfortable is another.

Totally agree, just thinking that maybe we haven't seen as many complaints on here as on the 5th gen forum because the threshold for seeing noise as an issue might be higher here. Funnily enough there's a post right above this one about wind noise so what do I know?

 

[kobra]

Did you ever find a solution for this? My dealer is saying it is likely my aftermarket Weatherguard over the rail toolbox that is increasing wind noise. But this problem started before I even had the tool box. They replaced rear window and I can still notice noise without the toolbox, but the toolbox makes it terrible. Interesting that the noise is now constant, whereas before the window replacement, I had to point it out to the wife. She now quickly notices it on her own. Looking for solutions. Thanks!

No, I never did; had a couple of dealerships look at it. The doors were adjusted and that helped a little bit, but no resolution.

I still wonder if there is an issue with the noise canceling tech, but no one seems to know how to test it to see if it is working correctly.

Brad

 

[elephantrider]

you can pull the anc fuse and you'll know if it was working.

 

[kobra]

you can pull the anc fuse and you'll know if it was working.

haha, so simple! Never thought of that, but will give it a try. Thanks!

 

[longhaul]

No, I never did; had a couple of dealerships look at it. The doors were adjusted and that helped a little bit, but no resolution.

I still wonder if there is an issue with the noise canceling tech, but no one seems to know how to test it to see if it is working correctly.

Brad

Well I taped up the rear window on the outside with painter's tape today. Lo and behold, the noise is gone. Called my dealer and told the service writer who is supposed to get back with the shop foreman. We'll see how much longer this takes to fix.

 

[Great White North Eh]

Sounds like you did just fix it!

Seriously though good idea on the tape job. Sad that you have to self diagnose such a expensive purchase .