Agreed that if the trailer is pushing the truck around its likely a loading issue, and I'd agree that it's likely too low tongue weight. Also depending on the truck weight limits it may be requiring a weight distributing hitch at that weight. Worth double checking.
I agree with above about load and tongue weight.
Another thing that sticks out to me is that you mention a two axle trailer. Often they are these small, short fat tires on snowmobile trailers. They can be light weight axles also.
How about the possibility of the trailer axles not being aligned?
Sample trailer:
Is the trailer rusting and about to fail?
If the trailer towed ok with the other tucks then the problem is not the trailer.
iceracer said:If the trailer towed ok with the other tucks then the problem is not the trailer.
Maybe, maybe not.
We don't have enough info to know that. We don't know if the loading was the same, how long ago, if the trailer wheel bearings have since crapped out, etc...
True
is the hitch on the truck straight? If the truck had been hit in the rear as stated, what are the chances a misaligned or even damaged hitch assembly could cause thrust issues (for lack of a better term) with the trailer pulling more on one side of the truck than the other?
SVreX said:iceracer said:If the trailer towed ok with the other tucks then the problem is not the trailer.
Maybe, maybe not.
We don't have enough info to know that. We don't know if the loading was the same, how long ago, if the trailer wheel bearings have since crapped out, etc...
Well, some good evidence is that one trip about a month ago he loaded up the trailer and took off. Only to drive about 45 sketchy miles, and then have a serious pucker moment on a bridge over the Mississippi River in a gust of wind next to a semi.
Pulled off. Called son in law, switched trucks, and pulled a few hundred miles no issue. Didn't repack the trailer or anything, just unhooked and rehooked to a different truck.
I know too much rear weight is bad, but I really think he has too much tongue weight. Can too much tongue weight cause similar issues?
In reply to Robbie :
Not usually.
In reply to Robbie :
Different truck could mean different hitch height and therefore a possible big change in tongue weight.
Maybe suggest a hitch like similar for some easy adjustment
Could the too much tongue weight have him running this dual axle trailer as a single axle trailer?
The truck documentation should note what the optimum tongue weight should be. I'm agreeing with many... improper tongue weight.
With my Van350 i don't need load levelers, but i do use one friction anti-sway bar. I pay a LOT of attention to tongue weight.
I also have an adjustable height hitch that i can adjust to keep the trailer level and not tongue high.
I have noticed that every time i put new tires on the rear of the van the trailer makes the van "squirm" around more than usual. The tires squirm on the new long tread blocks.
OBTW, the rig seems to stop in shorter distances with the trailer than the van alone. Great trailer brakes.
John Welsh said:Could the too much tongue weight have him running this dual axle trailer as a single axle trailer?
That's a really interesting theory. Could be that the front axle is bottoming first or something.
- Check thrust angle on the rear axle with a good 4-wheel alignment.
- Set the trailer on a level surface and make sure the "ball" is at the correct height on the truck.
- Check tongue weight and redistribute the load inside the trailer accordingly.
Thats all I've got.
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