Vibration while towing

[Meeker]

My trailer is around 5k loaded and when I put my canoe on top I didn’t notice any dip in performance or MPG. I expected a drop in mpg and was surprised there wasn’t much if any.

Any empty canoe upside down on the roof is actually very aerodynamic - not only on the outside of the hull, but air that rides up the windshield can pass through the inside of the canoe and back down the back of the truck. Shouldn't see much negative mpg from a canoe.

 

[Artie]

Any empty canoe upside down on the roof is actually very aerodynamic - not only on the outside of the hull, but air that rides up the windshield can pass through the inside of the canoe and back down the back of the truck. Shouldn't see much negative mpg from a canoe.

Very interesting info!

 

[Red Raider]

My trailer is around 5k loaded and when I put my canoe on top I didn’t notice any dip in performance or MPG. I expected a drop in mpg and was surprised there wasn’t much if any.

Good to know. Planning a 3-4 week trip up north pulling the camper with two bikes on the back and at least one 12’ WS kayak on the roof of the truck.

 

[shane_th_ee]

Pulled my camping trailer for the first time this weekend. It has all terrain trailer tires and weighs around 2,000 lbs. I was very pleased with the trucks ability to tow it at 75 mph with very little effort. I'm interested to see how it handles the drag from a couple of kayaks on the roof while towing the camper. My Armada was a great tow vehicle but put anything on the roof and it sucked.

View attachment 36372

I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised...

 

[ScottB]

Shane_th_ee,
Would you mind sharing your roof rack setup (I don't have crossbars yet)? Any real advantage of using Kayak hooks vs just laying down flat?
Thanks for the help!

 

[Scottorama]

Pulled my camping trailer for the first time this weekend. It has all terrain trailer tires and weighs around 2,000 lbs. I was very pleased with the trucks ability to tow it at 75 mph with very little effort. I'm interested to see how it handles the drag from a couple of kayaks on the roof while towing the camper. My Armada was a great tow vehicle but put anything on the roof and it sucked.

View attachment 36372

 

[Scottorama]

Just curious....i know on my trailer tires it says the max speed for the tires is 65 mph. So i do keep my towing speed around 63 mph. Does anyone else check their tires for max speed, or do you just ignore the trailor tire recommendations and drives as fast as you want?

 

[shane_th_ee]

Just curious....i know on my trailer tires it says the max speed for the tires is 65 mph. So i do keep my towing speed around 63 mph. Does anyone else check their tires for max speed, or do you just ignore the trailor tire recommendations and drives as fast as you want?

I replaced mine with Goodyear Endurance: made in USA and rated to 87MPH.

 

[shane_th_ee]

Shane_th_ee,
Would you mind sharing your roof rack setup (I don't have crossbars yet)? Any real advantage of using Kayak hooks vs just laying down flat?
Thanks for the help!

I have the Thule Evo Wing bars with the Thule Hull-a-Port XT. To me, the big advantage of the hook carrier is that I can carry two kayaks on one $200 rack instead of having to buy two $250 carriers. Additionally, we live in the city and park the Expedition outside so I really wanted a lockable solution.

 

[duneslider]

I replaced mine with Goodyear Endurance: made in USA and rated to 87MPH.

I will have to look into those tires. I generally try to keep it to 65-70 when towing but one time I had a child nearly die in the back seat and I was doing 95 with the trailer trying to get to the ER. I was a bit worried about the tires that time!

 

[sjwhiteley]

Just wanted to bump this up.

I have a vibration towing a utility trailer. With it empty, it’s at around 45 to 65. With a 1000lbs or so in it, the vibration is lessened and at a higher speed. In addition, I don’t have vibration (or it is not evident) towing a 5000lb travel trailer with WDH.

 

[m3bs]

Balancing the tires made no difference. I downloaded a vibration analyzer app to my phone, and confirmed that the vibration is at the rotational speed of the trailer tires, so at least I know its not the driveline or tires of the Expedition. Guess I'll have to try rotating my spare through each position to see which tire is the offender. I'd hate to have to replace 4 new tires with 4 new tires....
Weslake tires, BTW.

 

[Lou Hamilton]

Just curious....i know on my trailer tires it says the max speed for the tires is 65 mph. So i do keep my towing speed around 63 mph. Does anyone else check their tires for max speed, or do you just ignore the trailor tire recommendations and drives as fast as you want?

I also replaced mine with the Goodyear Endurance.

Stock tires are nicknamed “china bombs” because they can blow out easily. Even more so if not properly maintained.

Always check tire pressure and torque the lug nuts before every tow. That is what I do.

I kept my stock tires for two season before changing them. I really only did it because I found cracks inside the treads. Tires looked fine otherwise. I noticed an immediate ride difference. Trailer seems to track better behind the Expy.




Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[m3bs]

Resurrecting this thread again. No solution yet, in fact it’s getting worse. Aluma (trailer mfr) sent me a complete new set of tires and wheels. I got them balanced and installed, but the vibration is still there. I’ve played around with tongue loading, and only had about 350 on it yesterday, but it was awful.

It used to happen between 50 and 60. Now it shakes up to almost 70. Not sure what has changed. After a very tiring 3 hour trip yesterday, I’m about ready to shop for a new tow vehicle.

 

[Rob6805]

Resurrecting this thread again. No solution yet, in fact it’s getting worse. Aluma (trailer mfr) sent me a complete new set of tires and wheels. I got them balanced and installed, but the vibration is still there. I’ve played around with tongue loading, and only had about 350 on it yesterday, but it was awful.

It used to happen between 50 and 60. Now it shakes up to almost 70. Not sure what has changed. After a very tiring 3 hour trip yesterday, I’m about ready to shop for a new tow vehicle.

Bottom line is if the vehicle doesn't have issues without the trailer attached then is probably not the vehicle.

 

[Going_Going_Gone]

Flat spotting on trailer tires? Can you park the trailer with the tires off the ground as a test?

 

[m3bs]

Flat spotting would go away after driving a bit, and would be present at all speeds.