Information on Dodge RAM Off Road Wheels

Safe driving off road depends on good wheels and tires.

Driving a Dodge RAM truck off road is fun for some and a necessity for others. Either way, you need your truck to run safely when doing so. Keeping the wheels in good shape is a good first step.

Wheel Condition

Inspect your wheels for cracks, dents, rust and loose lug nuts. Replace damaged wheels rather than repair them.

Wheel Balance

Wheel adjustments such as balancing and alignment must be done by a trained technician with the proper equipment.

Good handling of a four-wheel drive vehicle depends on balanced wheels. Have the wheels balanced each time a new tire is installed.

Front Wheel Alignment

Check tires on Dodge RAM trucks for proper inflation and good tread before going off road.

Correct wheel alignment keeps the front wheels correctly angled in relationship to ground and suspension, and reduces tire wear and steering problems. Alignments are done by a trained technician with the equipment needed to adjust camber (degree of tilt from vehicle centerline), caster (front or rear tilt of the front steering axis from vertical) and toe-in angles. Caster, camber, and toe-in can be adjusted on two-wheel drive trucks, but only toe-in and caster can be adjusted on four-wheel drives.

Tires

Check your tires for good tread and proper tire pressure monthly, and before going off road or on a long trip. To prevent serious handling problems, replace worn tires in pairs and do not mix tire types.

References

• Dodge Pick-ups Automotive Repair Manual, 1994 thru 2001; Mike Stubblefield, et al; 2001