That's not right (bucking while pulling trailer) ...
#21
05-10-2010, 04:52 PM
Re: That's not right (bucking while pulling trailer) ...
This is a tight trailer. Does anyone know where you can get trailers like this for scout groups?
It's been awhile since I pulled anything (like 20 years to be exact) and the
last thing I pulled was a 1000lb boat.
Finally hooked up the Boy Scout trailer to the truck (the reason I
gave the wife as to why the Tahoe
). Once I get up to
35-40, starts to buck. If I let off the gas, the bucking diminishes.
What the heck is going on?
Trailer (pics below) is a double axle trailer and it's 15' (to the tip of
the hitch). I'd guess it's about 3500-4500lbs with all the gear in it.
The dealer hooked up a Tekonsha P-3 Trailer Proportional Brake Controller
for me and I think I've set it correctly.
I was pulling on level even ground (smooth roads) and can't understand
the bucking. The trans got to around 160 (never higher) and I stayed in
drive the whole way.
I know it's not going to pull like my little boat diod way back when, but I didn't expect this at all!
Any ideas??
Edit - It is very windy today and I was bucking on open roads. Perhaps I'll try it
in M4. It almost seems like it's slipping in and out of overdrive.
last thing I pulled was a 1000lb boat.
Finally hooked up the Boy Scout trailer to the truck (the reason I
gave the wife as to why the Tahoe
). Once I get up to 35-40, starts to buck. If I let off the gas, the bucking diminishes.
What the heck is going on?
Trailer (pics below) is a double axle trailer and it's 15' (to the tip of
the hitch). I'd guess it's about 3500-4500lbs with all the gear in it.
The dealer hooked up a Tekonsha P-3 Trailer Proportional Brake Controller
for me and I think I've set it correctly.
I was pulling on level even ground (smooth roads) and can't understand
the bucking. The trans got to around 160 (never higher) and I stayed in
drive the whole way.
I know it's not going to pull like my little boat diod way back when, but I didn't expect this at all!
Any ideas??
Edit - It is very windy today and I was bucking on open roads. Perhaps I'll try it
in M4. It almost seems like it's slipping in and out of overdrive.
#22
05-10-2010, 05:26 PM
Re: That's not right (bucking while pulling trailer) ...
I can try and grab some pics of the insde of you are interested.
I wish it had a bit of a gooseneck on it. With the Tahoe, I have it on a 8" drop and will be trying out a 9" drop to see if it solved my bucking issue.
Last edited by slk2k; 05-10-2010 at 05:29 PM. Reason: Spelling
#23
05-10-2010, 06:52 PM
Re: That's not right (bucking while pulling trailer) ...
I tow an 1800# trailer with a variety of cars on it. I have no surging or bucking problem. Are your trailer brakes dragging? Are your trailer hubs lubed? Are your trailer wheels balanced?
#24
05-11-2010, 07:10 AM
Re: That's not right (bucking while pulling trailer) ...
For the 10% I took the whole rig to a truck stop and paid $6 to have it weighed. If you pull on the scales right you can get a print out of each axle on the tow vehicle and the trailer individually. I also go a few miles from home to a grain elevator and get my smaller 5X8 trailer weighed.
Then with a bathroom scale (or 2), a 4X4 and some 2X4 blocks I can measure the tongue weight of that blue Sea Ray in my photos shown behind the hybrid 2WD Escalade.
In that picture the whole rig was 12,601 lbs. I was 601 lbs over rated and it towed fine down I-75 at posted speeds. To measure the tonngue weight I have to use the 2 scales, board and blocks method.
I add up the 2 weights paying careful attention to the trailer frame being level. With the drop down draw bars I have I keep the trailers level.
Low tongue weight and a nose up attitude is way too stressful for my 275 mile trip to the boat launch in that picture.
Then with a bathroom scale (or 2), a 4X4 and some 2X4 blocks I can measure the tongue weight of that blue Sea Ray in my photos shown behind the hybrid 2WD Escalade.
In that picture the whole rig was 12,601 lbs. I was 601 lbs over rated and it towed fine down I-75 at posted speeds. To measure the tonngue weight I have to use the 2 scales, board and blocks method.
I add up the 2 weights paying careful attention to the trailer frame being level. With the drop down draw bars I have I keep the trailers level.
Low tongue weight and a nose up attitude is way too stressful for my 275 mile trip to the boat launch in that picture.
#25
05-14-2010, 07:18 PM
Re: That's not right (bucking while pulling trailer) ...
OK, that's better!!
I hauled the trailer to the next Scout event (about 10 miles away) and before I hooked up, I dropped the nose a bit (the trailer is now a bit nose down) and all the problems went away!!
You are right, I hardley knew it was back there. I tried to be good, but with rush-hour traffic, I had to stay along with the flow or get crushed. In stop and go traffic, I averaged 12.7 MPG. Kind of what I expected.
My thanks to everyone who helped!
I hauled the trailer to the next Scout event (about 10 miles away) and before I hooked up, I dropped the nose a bit (the trailer is now a bit nose down) and all the problems went away!!
You are right, I hardley knew it was back there. I tried to be good, but with rush-hour traffic, I had to stay along with the flow or get crushed. In stop and go traffic, I averaged 12.7 MPG. Kind of what I expected.
My thanks to everyone who helped!
#26
05-17-2010, 08:26 PM
Re: That's not right (bucking while pulling trailer) ...
I added load-leveling air bags to the rear springs. I put 32-35 lbs of air in when I tow and it keeps the nose at the correct level. Makes a real difference.
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