Towing .. Interesting Finding
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Junior User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 90
Likes: 0
From: Raleigh NC
Towing .. Interesting Finding
Have an 04 SCREW and love it. No problems.
The other day I was towing a light garden trailer ... 12 x 6 angle iron frame, single axel. Total weight ~1000 lbs max. From a power / performance perspective the truck didn't even notice it was there.
However, I was surprised how every bump and wiggle that trailer went over translated into the cab. I had never felt anything like it. My assumption was that the virtues of the ultra stiff frame had consequences in that none of the trailer shock and jolt was asorbed.
Question for the crowd: How do the heavy trailers tow? I am thinking they are better because the trailer weight forces more action in the trailers suspension. No real clue however.
Any thoughts? Experence?
The other day I was towing a light garden trailer ... 12 x 6 angle iron frame, single axel. Total weight ~1000 lbs max. From a power / performance perspective the truck didn't even notice it was there.
However, I was surprised how every bump and wiggle that trailer went over translated into the cab. I had never felt anything like it. My assumption was that the virtues of the ultra stiff frame had consequences in that none of the trailer shock and jolt was asorbed.
Question for the crowd: How do the heavy trailers tow? I am thinking they are better because the trailer weight forces more action in the trailers suspension. No real clue however.
Any thoughts? Experence?
Junior User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 64
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From: iowa
I have a 4x4 scab and towing a boat I don't feel a thing. Check if you have enough tongue weight on trailer. I had an older boat that had to light of a tongue weight and it road terrible. I think you need some weight up front to get some trailers to pull better. I think when the trailer jumps around it pulls up on the hitch and gives it a weird feeling.
steve
steve
Freshman User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 29
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My Problem is Slighlty Different.
While towing a 10x6 trailer with a Polaris Ranger utility vehicle, my whole truck vibrates between approx. 52-56 mph. I should say that when NOT pulling a trailer, I do have a very slight nibble in the steering wheel at EXACTLY 70 mph. I do not feel the nibble below 70 mph, nor do I feel it above 70 mph. HOWEVER, when pulling this trailer with the Polaris, there is much more than a nibble at 52-56 mph range. It does this whether the road is bumpy or not. In fact, it sort of feels like the tires out of balance or something. I wonder if the trailer could be misaligned.
Any one have any ideas.
BTW, I have a 2004 Lariat 4x4, SuperCrew w/ Towing Package, etc.
Any one have any ideas.
BTW, I have a 2004 Lariat 4x4, SuperCrew w/ Towing Package, etc.
Freshman User
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 42
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We pull an 18' alum. boat (approx. 4000#), no problem at all. Pulls like a dream. Check the trailer out behind someone else's truck. Some of those smaller trailers pull great and sometimes you get one that tries to pull you. We also have an 18' car hauler that pulls great behind anything. From experience I'd have to say we are lucky to have trailers that track straight and handle well. Good luck.
Truck: 04 SC Lariat 4x4 w/towing pkg.
Truck: 04 SC Lariat 4x4 w/towing pkg.
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Junior User
Joined: Feb 2005
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I have a 6000lb trailer that hauls striping eq. and it rides a little slow, but still very smooth.your trailer may be to light, bouncing around or something. Or you forgot to tighten the hitch or something.
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Thread Starter
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Junior User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 90
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From: Raleigh NC
lol ... The hitch was well tight. It does have a very light tongue. This came across as a complaint. It wasn't intended to be. I was simply sruprised how much of the trailer shock translated up to the cab. I am sure with a heavier trailer/tongue a lot of that will go away.
Freshman User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 44
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From: San Diego
No problems towing 9000lbs
I tow a 23 foot Toybox trailer with 3 quads in it and 100 gal of water and fire wood all the time, I estimate the total weight over 9000 pounds.
Used to have jerks and bumps in my 2004 Screw, but I spend a few hundred bucks on some stabalizing jbars and weight distribution bars, now drives like a caddy and I dont even feel the trailer.
Used to have jerks and bumps in my 2004 Screw, but I spend a few hundred bucks on some stabalizing jbars and weight distribution bars, now drives like a caddy and I dont even feel the trailer.
Junior User
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 60
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the only reason i said to make sure you tighten your hitch is because I forgot to tighten it once and I think i noticed some jerking when I started and stopped. So I was lucky it didn't disconnect and put a huge dent in my tailgate or something. Also you might wan to check the axle in your trailer. Also I forgot to mention that my trailer has 4 tires, so I have 2 axles to smooth out my ride, so it may just be that your trailer is a single axle.
