After the last couple times I've towed a trailer with my truck, the entire vehicle wobbles erratically. A couple days ago, I rented a tow-behind lift. After returning it and as I was driving away, the truck was almost uncontrollable due to the wobble. This happened one time before and I was able to get it to my regular mechanic, who found nothing wrong with it. The wobble went away. This time, I drove it to my house - 50 miles away, at about 40 mph most of the way. For a short stretch, I had the speed up to 60 mph and the wobble was gone. When I had to slow down, it came back. The truck sat in the driveway for a day and I test drove it yesterday. Wobble is still there. Planning on taking it back to the mechanic today to see if they can figure it out, but wanted to see if anyone here has experienced this. This wobble feels like all 4 tires are out of round.

 

This truck is a 2008 F-250 Superduty

 

I’d check the truck side hitch components - make sure it’s all tight, no cracks, etc. Might not be evident without having the weight on the hitch, so should probably have a trailer hooked up when you look.

 

I didn't notice the wobble when the trailer was hooked to the truck. Only after it was unhooked.
But, I will follow your suggestion just in case.
Thanks for replying.

 

Is this the world famous “Death Wobble” you are speaking of? Or something else?

 

Not sure of the "death wobble", but sounds kind of right on. I've described it pretty much how it is. I need some kind of help.....especially when I take it to a mechanic and they can't figure it out.
Thanks for the reply

 

I misunderstood your initial post - I thought you were saying that it was happening while you were towing different trailers. That’s why I suggested looking at the hitch components- no need to look if it’s happening without the trailer attached

For what it’s worth, I had three of four new tires go out of balance really bad after one year resulting in a real bad ride, so do check that out.

 

I do appreciate your suggestion. I think that's the first thing I'm going to look at. I guess it is possible that the tires could be out of round.
Thanks again.

 

get on youtube and do search for Ford Death Wobble. You will get plenty of hits. Come back and tell us if that is your problem.
Here are a couple

 

Death wobble gets my vote.

Steve

 

That is exactly my thought, but we have to wait for the OP to come back and let us know if the videos are what he is descibing or if it something else.

 

Just FYI........DW is something I have dealt with in the past, and not just on Ford’s. It is also something a lot of front end shops and “mechanics” don’t understand, nor know how to diagnose and remedy the issue.

 

I'm 55 and brand new to the truck scene. Ive never owned a truck and this is my first vehicle with an automatic. I just bought an ex LADWP 2001 F250SD.

We had F100 and M100's on the farm growing up and they would wobble if king pins were worn out, but these front ends are different.

What are your thoughts on the cause??? Especially for the guys who have DW and find nothing loose/worn out???

Just curious...

 

Well.......terminology is everything..........The “CAUSE” is Newton’s third law........for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction! Now, the question becomes “How do we control this?”
If there is absolutely nothing worn out or loose, the engineers have done a pretty good job of controlling it.....but, it is highly unlikely that if the wobble is there that nothing is loose or worn. Many times the loose part is not visible, but can only be detected by having one person in the vehicle, rocking the steering wheel back and forth quickly, and another person under the vehicle feeling every knuckle, joint, bushing for ANY movement. Best to do this with the vehicle on the ground so there is resistance against all said components.
This is just for starters on diagnosis. Caster can also be a factor if there ius not enough.

 

Well said!

Steve