Rough towing

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Apr 21, 2004 | 05:48 AM

Petrops

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Rough towing

Hi All

I am towing about 8000# worth of tractor with my '04 Excursion (10,000 miles, built in March of '03) and have been noticing that I am getting an increasingly rough ride. It feels like a "bucking" as if the break is intermittently being tapped on the trailer or someone is jerking the front of the vehicle forward. This seems to occur only in towing and is not affected by use of the tow/haul function. It happens up hill, down hill and on flat terrain. It is a bit less noticable during acceleration and is proportional to the weight that I am towing. The cycles seem to come in 1 second intervals and will be consistent for a while then let up, then resume again. The severity is also variable but the behavior is failry constant.

Sound familiar?

Thanks

Jack

Apr 21, 2004 | 06:24 AM

purplewg

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From: FLA

Quote:

Originally Posted by Petrops

Could be bad front shocks. After oscillation sets in it will keep it up until it finally stabilizes. My 96 used to do this with bumper pulled heavy loads. It could be exaggerated by how I place the load on the trailer. More weight front or more weight back on the trailer. Just a guess though.

Do you run surge brakes or electric brakes?

Apr 21, 2004 | 06:27 AM

Petrops

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Hi Purple

I run electric brakes.

I am not really feeling a bouncing effect in the front though I am sure that a shock issue could manifest itself a number of ways. The placement of the load is consistent on the trailer due to some reference points that I use.

Thanks for the reply.

Apr 21, 2004 | 06:57 AM

purplewg

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From: FLA

Quote:

Originally Posted by Petrops

OK, just trying to figure some stuff out. Have you tried disconnecting the electric brakes at the trailer to see if it still happens? Have you checked the wheel bearings on your trailer? These are probably the most neglected. Watch the tach for an engine miss. I hate to say this but, monitor your engine oil really closely for increased levels. You might also want to get an oil analysis. Just more thoughts.

Apr 21, 2004 | 07:00 AM

Petrops

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Thanks Purple

I'll check the oil level (leaking injectors if I am not mistaken) and the bearings on the trailer. The trailer is borrowed from a friend who also tows a lg tractor so I will see if he has the same experience with his truck and the same trailer.

Jack

Apr 21, 2004 | 08:03 AM

IB Tim

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From: 3rd Rock

Do you still have the OEM shocks?

Apr 21, 2004 | 08:29 AM

Petrops

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Hi Tim

Yes I do still have OEM shocks, shouldn't they be rated to handle this kind of load?

BTW it is a '03 not a '04 (ooops!)

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Apr 21, 2004 | 08:36 AM

IB Tim

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From: 3rd Rock

Quote:

Originally Posted by Petrops

Hi Tim

Yes I do still have OEM shocks, shouldn't they be rated to handle this kind of load?

BTW it is a '03 not a '04 (ooops!)

My experience is OEM shocks start to go away very fast…. starting at 8k mileage. This is my experience, It has been reported to me many times they are not designed to last.

I pulled mine at 3k, it was well worth it. I pull a big trailer, (check gallery).
I would highly suggest calling MotorHaven and replacing them, you will be AMAZED how good it drives afterwards. Please remember this is all my own experience.
Yours is like mine 03/03.....I love my truck, but only use it for towing.