Drone with new 13 while towing

[Wertles]

I have it. When under load between 1700-2100 rpm, it is pretty loud. Loud enough that the wife noticed it. Going up hills, I manually shifted into 5th only to get rid of the noise. The truck has more than enough power to pull it in 6th but my ears just can't take it. I can feel the floor vibrate beneath my feet. Any one else have this issue? I expected this with my MBRP on the old truck but did not expect it on this fully stock truck.

 

[Gonzo 1066]

I have not noticed any drone while towing with my 2013.

 

[smitty3500]

I test drove a 13 Larime. Aisin with 4. 10's. There was a slight drone while driving empty. :/

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

If the trailer is heavy, shifting to fifth is a good idea anyway. Maybe your Ram is trying to tell you to downshift. . . manual clutches with HD hubs do something similar.

 

[NIsaacs]

I expected this with my MBRP on the old truck but did not expect it on this fully stock truck.

I doubt it is exhaust drone, more like drive train harmonics. Not unusual in a heavy duty truck like yours.



Nick

 

[EDankievitch]

Tall gears low Rpm's all equal bad driveline vibrations. Down shift things will be much happier for the long haul...

 

[Wertles]

I have 4. 10's in my truck so it is not tall gears or low RPM's causing it as it happens 1800-2100 rpm. I also don't believe it is lugging the engine as my foot is never to the floor, my boost numbers aren't really that high and this truck really up shifts on its own quite readily. It is most noticable on long slight inclines, not really on steep climbes. It always stays in 5th for that. I also don't think it's driveline related because it will happen in most gears between the stated rpm ranges, not at a specific speed.

Just was wondering if anyone else noticed this or not. I really don't want to pull the carpeting out to Dynamat the floor but that seems like my only alternative to get rid of the drone. There is no way I want to go any length of towing this way.

 

[MCSloan]

I also have a drone around 2000 RPM when pulling heavy load. Mostly happens when accelerating in 5th gear. Once up to speed and in 6th gear at 70 mph i no longer hear it as RPMs are below 1900. Only happens under heavy throtle.

 

[Gonzo 1066]

Tall gears low Rpm's all equal bad driveline vibrations. Down shift things will be much happier for the long haul...

If that is true then my 13 with 3;42s and the RFE trans should drone like mad, I have been towing moderate grades in 6th just under 1900rpm and NO drone. Combined weight of almost 26,000#s There might be just a bit of a lower "grunt sound" but nothing objectionable.

 

[Texas Bohunk]

I noticed what sounds like an exhaust leak just this last weekend towing my 8500lb trailer. Comes in around 70mph. Didn't hear it running empty. Truck is a 2013 2500 Automatic with 3. 42 gears.

 

[Kirwin]

I have the drone when the truck downshifts to 5th when pulling hard. Not really noticeable in 6th. The drone is especially prevalent when pulling on cruise control and the truck downshifts to 5th. I need to do some more investigation into why it comes in there.

 

[MelvinPierce]

I have the drone when the truck downshifts to 5th when pulling hard. Not really noticeable in 6th. The drone is especially prevalent when pulling on cruise control and the truck downshifts to 5th. I need to do some more investigation into why it comes in there.

same conditions I get some too.

 

[Wertles]

My diesel mechanic buddy deals with drone all the time. His successful solution on the Rams has been to install a portion of stainless steel flex pipe in the exhaust. I am tempted to try it out but hate cutting into a new, expensive exhaust system. Maybe next spring when it looks dirty.

Something similar to this but obviously in a 4 inch version.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/imm-fc3006n/overview/