Pushing the ESC switch to off didn't help.

 

Did you push it once to partial off, or did you hold it to disable the system? Dodgecares only posted the first paragraph of that section, there is a bunch more.

 

I thought there was only one setting, which is press the button to get partial off or whatever you want to call it. If you hold the button it doesn't make a difference, on my truck anyways. I can spin all i want but I can't do donuts.

I know that chevy has that feature, if you hold the button down it will disable everything, but not with dodge.

 

All Four-Wheel Drive Vehicles in 4WD AUTO and
4WD LOCK Modes Can Also Choose the
Following ESP Operating Mode. This is the Only
ESP Operating Mode in 4WD LOW:
Full Off
This mode is intended for off-road use when ESP stability features could inhibit vehicle maneuverability due to trail conditions. This mode is entered by pressing and holding the ESP OFF switch for five seconds when the vehicle is stopped and the engine is running. After five seconds, the “ESP/TCS Indicator Light” will illuminate and the “ESP Off” message will appear in the odometer. Press and release the trip odometer button located on the instrument cluster to clear this message. NOTE: The “ESP OFF” message will display and the audible chime will sound when the shift lever is placed into the PARK position from any other position and then moved out of the PARK position. This will occur even if the message was previously cleared. In this mode, ESP and TCS except for the “limited slip” feature described in the TCS section are turned off until the vehicle reaches a speed of 40 mph (64 km/h). At 40 mph (64 km/h) the system returns to “Partial Off” mode, described above. When the vehicle speed drops below 35 mph (56 km/h) the ESP system shuts off. ESP is off at low vehicle speeds so that it will not interfere with off-road driving but ESP function returns to provide the stability feature at speeds above 40 mph (64 km/h). The “ESP/TCS Indicator Light” will always be illuminated when ESP is off. To turn ESP on again, momentarily depress the ESP OFF switch. This will restore the normal “ESP On” mode of operation. “ESP Off” is the only operating mode for ESP in 4WD LOW. Whenever the vehicle is started in 4WD LOW or the transfer case (if equipped) is shifted from 4WD LOCK or NEUTRAL, to 4WD LOW, the ESP system will be in this mode. WARNING! With the ESP switched off, the enhanced vehicle stability offered by ESP is unavailable. In an emergency evasive maneuver the ESP system will not engage to assist in maintaining stability. “ESP Off” mode is intended for off-highway or off-road use only.

 

Does anyone actually read the manual?

 

I guess what i meant was in 2wd you can't do that. And obviously i don't read the manual.

 

I run 37's right now. I think back with the snow i had on 35's. even with the esp pushed and held, it would still just apply the brakes and you couldnt clear any snow out of the lugs cause well it felt like it should kick the traction control back on. As for the ABS, I dont mind not having that at all. I have never really liked it that much. I never had abs on the first vehicles i owned and i learned how to no lock up the brakes. Where i work, our company always puts us through defensive driving courses and emergency manoeuvre courses as part of our safety tickets we update every few years (i think it keeps insurance policies down) and even in those courses the instructors teach you how the abs isnt that great compared to proper braking. lots of people just have a problem with thinking in the snow that hey we arnet slowing down so they push the pedal harder and slide. so they make abs to compensate for those types of people.

 

Now if they could just build something to compensate for the people who can't seem to get the truck to go without disabling stuff

 

Im sure the 0P knows if 2wd or 4wd is engaged, but if the rear diff is not a ltd slip ( this is a extra cost option on all rams with 2wd or 4wd) the problem is 10 fold running big greasy 20in oem tires as it still a 2wd..

I never run p rated oem tires on any truck I have owned, the best of the cheap are on all truck brands from the get go and will fail at the first chance..

15 in tires used to be the norm for trucks and im not sold on the upgrade to 20 in rubber when the cost to replace them is added in to the up graded price.

I stick with 17 in LT tires, even thow Im upgradding for the extra cost.. on a 1500 Ram I would even run a ten ply E but a 6 ply D or even a 4 ply C may make more sense with the cost and ride sensetive owners.

And save your self from quoting me the load rattings on p rated tires..

 

I read about some complaints about the ram in the snow before I bought mine... but I've had no issue, even hauling/towing. Definately better than my Ford F150 ('05) and it even had LSD. I thought the traction control on the ram ('11) did a great job of transferring power when necessary. I'm really "not just saying that" when I say this ram with the 20" wheels and stock tires does darn well. I even bought chains after reading all the reviews, but I was able to traverse around Syracuse (which is the snowiest city in the nation over 100k people) and even to Oswego frequently (which is smaller than 100k people, but out does Syracuse by far). I thought I'd have to replace the tires...

The only car that might have done better (I've owned 28 vehicles in the last 6 years) was as odd as this sounds, the Jeep Patriot trail-rated Edition FDII. No one ever believes me on that, but the brake-lock-differential + true 4x4 + CVT Transmission did wonders.

Maybe the 2009+ F150s are a lot better than the 05-09s, and maybe the new chevy's have some magic, but I don't know how anyone could claim the current gen rams don't knock the socks off of any truck made before '09. I even had a truck with lockers and locking hubs on all 4 corners and that would just aid in high quality ice polishing.

I do drive in winter with ESP partial off, 4x4 H on, and with sandbags in the rear, although just about 240 lbs worth.

From reading most complaints about it, I figured most were driver error- people driving in 4L or expecting to be mario andretti in the snow. It looks like you may know what your doing. I know it sounds like a cop-out, but It may be worth taking to the dealer to have them check it out to make sure there's nothing funky going on. It sounds like your problems may be with the front wheels engaging or the rear axle.

If you don't want to take it to the dealer, maybe you need to do some diagnostics- Put it on jack stands and make sure the differentials are engaging properly- or put it in 4x4 on dry ground and crank the steering wheel to see if it skips the tire.

I'm sorry to hear your not happy with the cars performance. I hope you find its a rectifyable issue however and that you can solve it for future satisfaction! Best of luck to you!