New to me 2018 bad sound help

I’ve recently became the proud owner of a 2018 SR5 TRD Off Road. ( about 3 weeks ) The more I drive it the more I like it. I even drove a much more loaded 2020 RAM Laramie and went with this truck.

The thing is there is a sound almost exactly like I’m driving over a thin layer of crunchy snow when going slowly over a smooth surface. In fact the first several times I heard the noise I WAS on snow so I dismissed it. But The snow is gone and the sound isn’t. It goes away at higher speeds I think. The truck is under warranty, but the dealer is a 3 hour round trip. So I thought I’d see if anyone has experienced this. It almost sounds like a bad needle bearing or something. I got out and walked by it while someone else drove slowly and I couldn’t hear it. The truck has 21,000 miles on it. Any and all ideas are welcome!

 

Congrats and Welcome, someone will chime in, sorry I couldn’t help.

 

That's a new one for me. From where, specifically, does it sound like it's emanating?

 

Take a video and post here; either way, if you can reproduce it, make sure you keep it as proof. That way, when you take it back to the dealer for warranty work, you have proof. Some dealerships have shady business practices of “we could not reproduce the problem”.

 

Thanks everyone. It almost sounds like it’s coming from behind the passenger dash or passenger tire area. I was really surprised I couldn’t hear it from outside. I’ll record it tomorrow and post it.

 

Tonight was the first time I sat in the passenger side to listen. It’s definitely louder over there. It isn’t related to the fan, as the sound happens when it is off. It sounds like id think a bad needle bearing would in a driveshaft. But not at 21,000 miles.

 

Hmm, I wonder if there's something blowing around in there? When you turn the vents on do you hear anything? When was the last time you checked the cabin filter?

Edit: Lol, beat me to the punch. I'd check the filter anyhow just for sanity's sake since it's an easy one.

 

One thing that’s changed is I took the owners manual out of the glove box. That filter is worth a check.

 

I'd turn the air on as well while you have it out just to make sure there's nothing rattling around in there. I found a leaf in mine last time I had it out.

 

I haven’t driven it yet, but this is the filter from last night. Almost heading into work I’ll know soon!

 

When you take the filter out, reach down and make sure you didn’t drop anything in the fan.

 

Sound is still there. I think I might put a gopro under the passenger side somewhere next. I'll also record the sound at lunch and post it.
I'm sure the TRUCK gods are punishing me for giving my brother and dad a hard time about their 2020 RAMs not being as reliable.

 

Wow, that's dirty. At least you get to put in a nice, new clean one now. Don't go spending 30m vacuuming it out lol.

 

Bummer. Really curious to hear it.

 

This is one recording I just made. Hope it helps.

 

When you put a new one, which way does the filter go?

 

Hard to tell in the video. Maybe it’s your tires. I know on crappy roads that are all cracked, any car makes a funny noise driving down them.

 

The correct way. Best answer!

 

The Filter that was in it was labelled "This way up".

 

The next one will say, Airflow this way. LOL

 

I think tonight I'll take that tire off and look around. If I figure anything out I'll post it. Still open to opinions if anyone else has any ideas.

 

Can't hear much in the video. Might be better to have someone else hold the camera where the sound is the loudest. Also have them stand outside and drive by them a few times to see if they can hear it out there.

 

Hard to tell from the vid, but check the wiring harness in the engine bay on the pass side as it will rattle at the firewall mount and then check the ecu as it is also a known vibrator. People use hose clamps and rubber to silence it. There are posts here about both issues.