2004 - 2008 F-150

vibration or shudder while towing

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
  #1  
Old 05-06-2005, 10:48 AM
mwmod97's Avatar
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: central N.D.
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
vibration or shudder while towing

I haven't really found any info out there about the vibration or shuddering issue while towing, so thought I would throw this out there.
I just got an 05 Supercab fx4 4x4, with 5.4, 3.55 gears, and General p255/70/17 tires. Rides nice and smooth with no vibrations or shuddering, until I tow a 18 foot open trailer with a 2600 lb race car on it, then it gets a vibration. Don't matter what speed I am going, it is there, it just seems to get worse the faster the speed.
Just curious if anyone else out there has this problem only while towing. thanks
 
  #2  
Old 05-06-2005, 10:54 AM
Quintin's Avatar
Technical Article Contributor

Join Date: May 2004
Location: Georgia on my mind...
Posts: 6,509
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes on 5 Posts
Maybe the weight of your trailer squatted the truck down to where it changed the pinion angle slightly? These trucks are very sensitive to driveline angle changes, that's the only thing I can think of.
 
  #3  
Old 05-06-2005, 11:35 AM
ChrisAdams's Avatar
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,597
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Have you tried just towing the trailer? If so did it still shudder the same?

Towing a race car with a big Dodge, years ago and I started getting a shudder, turned out to be a brake problem on the trailer.
The shudder was still there when we had offloaded the car and I was taking the trailer to another location.
It shuddered less, but still there. That's how I figured out it was in the brakes. A spring off, but it made the whole truck and trailer shake.

Good luck
Chris
 
  #4  
Old 05-06-2005, 11:35 AM
BND's Avatar
BND
BND is offline
Member
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: NH
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
How are the trailer tires? May not be the truck at all if it only happens when towing that trailer. Maybe try towing something else see if the vibe is still there.
 
  #5  
Old 05-06-2005, 12:31 PM
cashman 412's Avatar
Junior Member
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
vibration

I have noticed the same thing when towing my trailer with atvs. it did not do that with my previous trucks. Once you get over about 65 mph it seems to smooth out. I also have a very slight vibration or more of a rough ride with out the trailer. Have you noticed any vibrations upon braking . Iwill be taking mine in soon for the braking part. One thing that seem to help with the trailer deal was i raised the height of my trailer ball to put a little rear tilt to the trailer. good luck

Cashman
 
  #6  
Old 05-09-2005, 07:39 AM
mwmod97's Avatar
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: central N.D.
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Towed the car and trailer again over the weekend. I pumped tire pressure up on the pickup to about 50 lbs, and seemed that it took care of the vibration, hopefully that was it, and the problem is solved. Thanks for the info guys.
 



Quick Reply: vibration or shudder while towing



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 09:27 PM.