Posted 2006-06-19 10:26 AM (#43245) Subject: pulling issues
New User
Posts: 1
Location: Gleenwood IA
we just bought a 4 horse LQ. We are pulling it with a 2005 Ford 250 turbo diesel. We noticed a tug/jerking motion occasionally as we pull down the road. We took it back to the dealer who had it checked out by an axle shop. We found an axle out of alignment so it was aligned and pulls some what better but not completely. We have an axle ordered but it will not be in for a couple weeks. Is t here other things that could be causing the trailer to jerk during pulling? We have considered replacing the goose neck portion on the trailer with a shock absorption system that supposedly will make it easier riding. Any suggestions appreciated, thanks Tony
Posted 2006-06-19 4:11 PM (#43271 - in reply to #43245) Subject: RE: pulling issues
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 309
Location: MO
Some sections of the concrete roads near us in Missouri seem to cause this. i believe it is the spacing of the expansion joints relative to to distance between the rear truck axle and the front trailer axle. That'll cause a bumpy ride loaded or unloaded. You never notice it in a car or just the truck.
Also check into the rear suspension of the truck and see if it is strong enough to handle the tounge weight of the trailer. Consider Timbrins or air shocks or helper springs. Timbrins are my choice. Least expensive, easy to install and really do the job when loaded without giving arough, stiff ride when empty.
Posted 2006-06-19 6:50 PM (#43284 - in reply to #43245) Subject: RE: pulling issues
Veteran
Posts: 201
Location: Lincoln, NE
I experience much the same thing when pulling my 2H slant gooseneck Hawk with a Silverado Z71 1500. I'm a newbie to towing so didn't know if this was normal or not. My trailer dealer said tongue weight is usually 15% to 20% of total trailer weight. That would make it about 1400 lbs.
Interestingly, when I drove from Nebraska into Kansas the jerking stopped as soon as I crossed into Kansas. The road surface was quite a bit smoother. Maybe something to the spacing of the expansion joints.