I'm doing the "herky-jerky"! Help!

[donkro]

I have a 500lb teardrop being towed by a Pontiac Vibe, which has a 1500lb tow rating. It generally tows well but have noticed on bumpy or uneven roads the car/trailer does a lot of pulling the car back and forth and over a long time it becomes tiring. Is there something that can be added to the hitch assembly to minimize this motion, or is it just the consequence of towing with a light car?

[del]

Check the tongue weight, should be about 10% (500# should be 50#).

hope this helps del

[caseydog]

If the problem is sway, then check the tongue weight. But, if the problem is not sway, but a jerky ride from the trailer bouncing, then your problem may be from a lightweight trailer, and stiff springs.

If your trailer really weighs 500 pounds, and your springs are rated for 1,500 pounds, then the problem could be caused by the trailer bouncing.

Sine you seem to be okay on smooth roads, then sway is probably not the issue, as you would have sway problems on smooth roads. So, I am guessing that bounce is your problem.

The first thing to try in order to cure this is to let air out of the tires. Get the pressure down to 25 pounds, or less. Trailer tires generally have stiff sidewalls, so go as low as you have to to soften them up. I would not hesitate to go down to 20 pounds on trailer tires, if it takes the bounce out. Heat is an issue with low tire pressures on passenger cars or heavy trailers, but if your trailer is 500 pounds, then heat will not be an issue at all. If your trailer is under 1,000 pounds, I would not be afraid to go low on your tire pressures.

If that does not cure it, then look at softer spring rates. If you have leaf springs, take out a leaf. On a torsion spring, you don't have that option. In that case, look into some shocks, or some tires with a softer sidewall.

You should be able to tow any under 1,000 pound trailer with a Vibe with no problem. I have a feeling that your springs are just to strong for the weight of your trailer. If I am right , you need to get that trailer to stop bouncing.

CD

[bobhenry]

If you are feeling it in the cars steering it is sway. I built a motorcycle tear on a 40 x 48 HF frame and it was impossible on a rough road. You want to talk about steering issues try it on a motorcycle. If felt as if some reached out and grabbed the handlebars an jerked with each bump I encountered. I simply added 22" to the tongue and It became a totally different critter. As to running lower than recommended tire pressure Duro and Carlisle will not honor their tire warranty if the smaller 8" to 12" tires are run underinflated.

My teardrop "Chubby" pulls well to about 62 MPH and at inerstate speed he starts a side to side dance I will be adding 18" to his tongue length as well to hopefully cure this problem

[donkro]

Thanks for the responses. The trailer does not sway so that's not the issue. It does seem that maybe the trailer is so light that it just bounces on bumps. Would switching to a torsion suspension solve this or should I just take a leaf out?

[madjack]

Thanks for the responses. The trailer does not sway so that's not the issue. It does seem that maybe the trailer is so light that it just bounces on bumps. Would switching to a torsion suspension solve this or should I just take a leaf out?

...unless you want the expense of changing out the axle, removing a leaf would probably work great...at the same time, you can get a aftermarket shock kit from Monroe Shocks which may help tame things as well.......
madjack

[caseydog]

Thanks for the responses. The trailer does not sway so that's not the issue. It does seem that maybe the trailer is so light that it just bounces on bumps. Would switching to a torsion suspension solve this or should I just take a leaf out?

...unless you want the expense of changing out the axle, removing a leaf would probably work great...at the same time, you can get a aftermarket shock kit from Monroe Shocks which may help tame things as well.......
madjack

I agree -- try taking a leaf out. And, keep your tire pressures in the 25 pound range. See if that helps.

If is still too bouncy, try some shocks.

CD