Ok guys, I'm not sure if this is the proper forum or not since the truck section on this site seems to deal with classics or specialty trucks like the Warlock, LRE, etc. But, I have searched over at DodgeTruck.org and basically came up empty with nothing but a lot of flaming each other.

Anyway, my 04 Ram QC 4x4 sometimes gets really scary when doing around 40-50 down gravel roads. The back end will start chattering with the truck going sideways with the rear tires seemingly off the ground more than they are on. This will even happen when pulling my quad trailer with two 500 lbs quads on it. There is a big sticky thread about this on DTO, but no real answers. One guy even sued Chrysler with a Lemon Law over it.

A lot of folks are complaining about this on the highways around 70-80 mph, but I dont seem to have this problem like some. I was thinking about getting some Bilstein shocks, but hate to spend the money if this wont cure the problem. Anyone else have this problem with their truck? Did you find a cure? Thanks for any help.

Sounds normal to me. Every gravel road I have been on will have some type of washboard surface. The spacing of the bumps vs your speed will vary and there is a certain mph where it will be more pronounced. Drive slower.

If it's a washboard road you should feel the bumps get worse until the speed increases to where the tires are only touching the tops of the washboards at which time the road feel will smooth out drastically. The problem is you cannot go around any corners or apply moderate braking until you have most tire contact back. You have to slow down enough to get the tires back on contact with the road or you'll skip across the surface when turning or stopping suddenly.

If you are having the problem you describe in a straight line with no braking, my guess is crappy shocks. Bilsteins or Rancho adjustable are the minimum I would use on a 4x4 Ram and expect good traction off road.

It does it going straight or around curves, it doesnt matter. I assume it is the shocks not rebounding quick enough. Looks like I will try some Bilsteins out and see what happens.