Posted 2007-01-07 9:30 AM (#53445) Subject: F-250 Lunging when Towing
Member
Posts: 11
Location: Pace, Florida
My 2005 2wd Sb F-250 w/6.0 L and autotrans (camper package) lunges and shakes at 50-70 in towhaul mode when pulling my gooseneck trailer. Seems to be happening over bumps in road when RPMs between 2 and 2.5 K. We have to completely let off the accelerator to stop the lunging. Trailer weight of 10 K and tongue weight of 2K are within payload specs and electric trailer brakes check out good. Dealer tried to reprogram transmission shift, but it didn't help. Anybody have a similar problem with their Ford?
Posted 2007-01-07 3:06 PM (#53456 - in reply to #53445) Subject: RE: F-250 Lunging when Towing
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 500 Location: West TN
Had the same issue. Reprogramming did not do much to help. In most cases, you either have to slow it down pretty quick, or juice it and push it through. Most of the time, I give it the juice and push on through the shake. It just depends how bad the shake has gotten on your rig as to whether it can be pushed through. If it has gotten too bad, your best bet is to slow it down and then accelerate back up.
Posted 2007-01-07 10:34 PM (#53490 - in reply to #53445) Subject: RE: F-250 Lunging when Towing
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 500 Location: West TN
We took it in and had the transmission and engine reprogrammed. I could not tell you what all they did. Most of the time, I experienced it while I was going slower--around 45. You might take it in and see if there are any new programs they can do to it to help correct. Make sure you have all your tires inflated properly as well on the trailer and truck. I have heard some say that it can help. I have experienced it with the F-250s I have had 03, early 06, late 06. My dad had similar problems with his 03 F-350. He has a 06 F-350 now and never heard him talk about having troubles with it. (other than it will leak oil from time to time) It never hurts to take it in and see what they have. They are constantly having people work on solutions to problems like this. If it is enough of a wide spread problem, then they get some engineers on it to see what kind of program they can do to fix it. I have had my fair share of trouble with Fords over the years. I still think it is hard to beat the overall package of the truck. Best of luck.
Posted 2007-01-08 8:53 AM (#53504 - in reply to #53445) Subject: RE: F-250 Lunging when Towing
Veteran
Posts: 274 Location: Memphis, TN
I have an 02 F250 that had the same vibration between 40 and 45 MPH. After replacing tires, tune transmission etc....final fix was a new drive shaft. At least thats what was on the warranty papers when it was fixed. Seemed odd to me but have not had the problem anymore.
Posted 2007-01-08 10:04 AM (#53507 - in reply to #53445) Subject: RE: F-250 Lunging when Towing
Regular
Posts: 54 Location: IL.
just for the heck of it check your trailer tires,one tire lockup situation can throw them out of balance.under or over inflation will change your ride not the balance of the tire.if it only happens when you tow your traier it is worth looking into.it can be a cheap fix to a problem alot of people ignore.good luck and let us know if you find the problem.
Posted 2007-01-08 11:30 AM (#53513 - in reply to #53445) Subject: RE: F-250 Lunging when Towing
Veteran
Posts: 235 Location: Keymar,Maryland
This is an annoying problem that several have had. There are a myriad of reasons usually no two the same. How about telling us a bit more about your trailer and how it is loaded. Depending on your trailer, 2K sounds a bit high for your tongue weight. Rich
Posted 2007-01-08 7:27 PM (#53539 - in reply to #53445) Subject: RE: F-250 Lunging when Towing
Member
Posts: 11
Location: Pace, Florida
I appreciate the info and suggestions from all. I don't believe I've ever locked up the trailer tires, but I will check the tire balance. PSI on tires and lugs check out OK though. The trailer is an aluminum Exiss 3H Glide LQ. It weighs 7.2 K empty on the scales w/ 2K tongue weight. I had the Exiss engineers figure tongue weights for different loading situations I use. Tongue weights varied from 2 to 2.5 K. However, the lunging occurs if trailer loaded or not. I heard that one 6.0 owner had the an engine control valve (EGR I think)replaced that cured his problem. Another one had shims installed to change the driveline angle. So it seems there can be a number of different factors that might cause this lunging. I'm going to keep trying things until I solve the problem. The truck is within advertised loading limits so I feel it should perform smoothly if there's not a trailer problem I haven't discovered yet. Luckily compared to some I've read about, I haven't had any major problems yet. From time to time the A/C switch doesn't work, the water in fuel light came on several times when there was no water in the fuel, and the passenger side mirror casing has melted. I still am thinking about extending the warranty though. Good Luck to you all and thanks again.
Posted 2007-01-08 9:00 PM (#53551 - in reply to #53445) Subject: RE: F-250 Lunging when Towing
Regular
Posts: 54 Location: IL.
we owned a 04 f-350 drw, ford never removed all the gremlins hidden in that truck,the 6.0 L ran great when the gremlins were in a good mood but we grew weary of ford motor company and bought a dodge and have no regrets.i'd love to hear what they said about the mirror.
Posted 2007-01-08 10:25 PM (#53565 - in reply to #53445) Subject: RE: F-250 Lunging when Towing
Veteran
Posts: 143 Location: southeast U.S.A.
Homer Bell,
If you haven't allready done so , you might try a search on this subject through this forums search. There has been many a topic over related issues in the past several years that may help.We own a 99 250 & 03 350 but have never had these issues so I can't be of much help personaly.good luck, Ardly
Posted 2007-01-12 3:38 PM (#53782 - in reply to #53445) Subject: RE: F-250 Lunging when Towing
Veteran
Posts: 216 Location: Chillicothe, Ohio
Can you clarify what you mean by lunging? Does it seem like the truck is accelerating, or searching or is it more like some issue with the road/truck/trailer...I have noticed with my 99f350 and 4house sooner on cement highways with the expansion joints that at certain speeds it sets up some type of "harmonic" where the trailer seems to push the truck and/or the truck hits the joints at just the right time and slows the trailer...it really gets shaking back and forth. I believe this is caused by the length of the axles being at certain positions on the expansion joints of the highway....if you are experiencing this on blacktop highway with no joints, its obviously not the problem.
Posted 2007-01-13 11:49 AM (#53817 - in reply to #53782) Subject: RE: F-250 Lunging when Towing
Member
Posts: 11
Location: Pace, Florida
Martyg, your description of the back and forth shaking sounds a lot like my problem. We first noticed the problem on the interstate when we hit the bumps on overpasses and bridges. But I have also had the problem on asphalt roads with uneven surfaces. The truck begins to shake or lunge forward and doesn't stop until we let off the accelerator completely. I have had the trailer checked out and its ok. I have no play at the kingpin connection and I'm What you describe about the truck and trailer wheels hitting the bumps at different times seems to be the initiating factor, but you would think the truck would only lunge or shake several times then settle down--not continue to shake!
Posted 2007-01-13 4:20 PM (#53821 - in reply to #53817) Subject: RE: F-250 Lunging when Towing
Veteran
Posts: 216 Location: Chillicothe, Ohio
I have only seen this when on a road with evenly spaced expansion joints. Never just from going over a bridge or random cracks on pavement. If this is the case it seems like there may be some problem with the accelerator, computer or transmission system...there have been quite a few posts on this site about similar problems,,,most around when using cruise control, some involving the electronic brake control...Marty.
Posted 2007-01-24 8:18 PM (#54444 - in reply to #53821) Subject: RE: F-250 Lunging when Towing
Member
Posts: 11
Location: Pace, Florida
Martyg
I still have the problem and I am going to get Ford to check the trailer brake controller. I've had the transmission reprogrammed and had the driveline checked already. I think I have noticed the lunging on long bridges with evenly spaced expansion joints. Thanks for the reply and I'll let you know if I resolve my problem.
Posted 2007-01-25 12:55 PM (#54488 - in reply to #53445) Subject: RE: F-250 Lunging when Towing
Member
Posts: 38 Location: Nebraska
I hadn't paid much attention to it, since I don't have that problem, but I have seen a lot of conversations about this issue here http://forums.thedieselstop.com/ubbthreads/
They are a bunch of good guys that can really help you out. It's kind of like having a next door neighbor that's a mechanic.
Posted 2007-01-27 6:42 PM (#54583 - in reply to #53445) Subject: RE: F-250 Lunging when Towing
Regular
Posts: 90 Location: louisiana
Try checking and resetting the anti lock brake system. Mine did the same lunging when I hit bumps and was braking. Reset the antilock and was fine afterwards.
Posted 2007-01-28 9:05 AM (#54597 - in reply to #54583) Subject: RE: F-250 Lunging when Towing
Member
Posts: 11
Location: Pace, Florida
Thanks dwnsouth. Did the Ford shop reset your truck's anti lock system? Before the reset, did your truck start to lunge and keep getting more extreme before you let off the throttle?
Posted 2007-02-09 10:31 PM (#55321 - in reply to #54597) Subject: RE: F-250 Lunging when Towing
Member
Posts: 11
Location: Pace, Florida
An update if anyone interested. Took the truck and trailer in and had the dealership's brake technician ride with me. The intermittent lunging when going over rough roads or when braking may be due a bad electrical ground in the circuit. Will know in a few days if I this is the case.
F-250 Lunging when Towing
