Follow along with the video below to see how to install our site as a web app on your home screen.
Note: This feature may not be available in some browsers.
TDR Magazine subscribers receive more than the magazine! You also gain additional forum privileges!
Details here: TDR Privileges
Subscribe to TDR Magazine here: https://www.tdr-online.com/
Attention: TDR Forum Junkies To the point: Click this link and check out the Front Page News story(ies) where we are tracking the introduction of the 2025 Ram HD trucks.
I went from an '02 to my '04. 5 and towed (about 6K) with each and couldn't tell any difference in stability. BIG difference in performance and ride quality, but no wind sway or general instability problems. Matter of fact, my '04. 5 short bed seems to track straighter and ride better with a load (any load) than my '02 long bed. Guess Dodge figured they'd save the money and it turned out to be unnecessary on the new trucks.
Towing an enclosed 4-place, I got a bit of wig-wag on moderatley slow steering corrections at 65mph and up, getting a little bit worse at 75. Moving the wheel faster for corrections did not seem to create the same wiggle, the rear end settled as expected. When the rear tires spin at speed on slippery roads, the wig-wag tells me that traction is bad. Couple that with 6" new snow and then it gets no fun. With a big gooseneck, no problems with rear end stability encountered yet.
Stiffer frame and longer more out board rear springs. Rear sway bar not needed. There have been posts of 3rd generations with the SAME heavy slide in that was in a 02 back that handled much better then the older truck did with sway bar and air bags!
I pulled my trailer with an early '04 stability seemed about the same, although the ride was alot smoother, I think my truck is bouncing off the overloads makeing the ride harsh