Shimmey while towing

[jbacon]

Also posted in Trailers and towing.....

Hi all:

I used the word Shimmey because I am definitely not refering to Sway.

This is what I feel when towing the sea doo speedster : If the car was parked and you put your foot on the hitchball and pushed side to side, this is the motion I feel when towing. Another perspective might be that the trailer is swaying, but doing so at the hitch, and not the "normal" sway where the trailer wheels move from side to side. Naturally, there is not much side to side movement in the cars suspension, so I feel this "shimmey". One more perspective might be that it feels like I am driving over a very slight washboard surface.

Tongue weight checks out at about 10%
The shimmey is most noticable at slow speeds
Boat is tight to the trailer
Tire pressure is at the Mfg recommendation

Anyone with any thoughts ?
Thanks..... Jeff

 

[CypherAZ]

Also posted in Trailers and towing.....

Hi all:

I used the word Shimmey because I am definitely not refering to Sway.

This is what I feel when towing the sea doo speedster : If the car was parked and you put your foot on the hitchball and pushed side to side, this is the motion I feel when towing. Another perspective might be that the trailer is swaying, but doing so at the hitch, and not the "normal" sway where the trailer wheels move from side to side. Naturally, there is not much side to side movement in the cars suspension, so I feel this "shimmey". One more perspective might be that it feels like I am driving over a very slight washboard surface.

Tongue weight checks out at about 10%
The shimmey is most noticable at slow speeds
Boat is tight to the trailer
Tire pressure is at the Mfg recommendation

Anyone with any thoughts ?
Thanks..... Jeff

what is your tow vehicle?

 

[rexsteiner]

Have your tires balanced.

Are your tires in good condition?

What is your tow vehicle?

 

[rexsteiner]

Also. Have a look at your trailer tires. If they start to get choppy they can do that too. Yes you should rotate those tires also guys.

 

[timmyboy76]

check the ball, make sure its tight, tighten the hitch when on the ball (nut underneath), and/or, measure the axle on both sides, going to back of trailer.

 

[jbacon]

Thanks for the replies !!!

Answers to questions are:
1. new tires on tow vehicle (balanced)
2 New trailer and tires (balanced)
3. Tow vehicle is 2006 Dodge Stratus
4. Ball is tight on drawbar
5. hitch is tight to the car frame

Had the same thought about measuring the axel on both sides. Will try that next

Jeff

 

[Carlo]

How are the shocks and springs on the Dodge? Also does the dodge have a sway bar on it?

 

[timmyboy76]

How are the shocks and springs on the Dodge? Also does the dodge have a sway bar on it?

its a 15ft boat, that all weighs 1200lbs, wet., with tongue weight of 50-75 lbs, at most.:cheers:

Pull wheels, check bearings, maybe a cracked hanger

 

[Bdt1967]

Sounds like flat spots on the tires, do you let it sit for long periods of time? Whats your air pressure? Did you put trailer tires on or car tires?

 

[jbacon]

Again, thanks !

Car only has 25,000 miles, shocks and springs are fine
Trailer tires are on the trailer
Trailer dosen't sit for more tha a week

HOWEVER, as Timmyboy76 suggested, I measured the distance from the axel to 2 frame crossmembers, and it appears that the axel is not square.
I am assuming that the trailer frame is square. There is a difference of 5/16 inch on the left vs right side of the trailer. Any thoughts if 5/16 inch would cause what I have described ?

Jeff

 

[chico1]

I own a 2008 150 speedster that give or take weights 1500lbs plus the trailer give or take 500lbs total 2000lbs. My usual tow vehicle is a 2001 Grand Cherokee, no problem there. However I have towed it a couple times on my 2006 Chevy HHR (car weight is give or take 3250lbs). The HHr is so light that if the conditions are right you can feel the HHR sway a little here and there.... Ask someone who has a truck or SUV to tow it then you might realize the problem...

 

[rexsteiner]

I own a 2008 150 speedster that give or take weights 1500lbs plus the trailer give or take 500lbs total 2000lbs. My usual tow vehicle is a 2001 Grand Cherokee, no problem there. However I have towed it a couple times on my 2006 Chevy HHR (car weight is give or take 3250lbs). The HHr is so light that if the conditions are right you can feel the HHR sway a little here and there.... Ask someone who has a truck or SUV to tow it then you might realize the problem...

X2! i didnt realize you were towing with a car. i understand you can put a trailer hitch on a car but i think its impossible to buy a car from the factory with a towing package. this is probably the reason why.

 

[timmyboy76]

he's tow'n w/ Dodge Stratus....maybe strut bar would help, but also, slight kick in the axle would make it wanna go that way, then ur cars' pulling strate...etc

 

[CypherAZ]

Maximum Towing Capacity of your vehicle is 1000lbs..............Seadoo lists the Gross weight of your boat on the trailer as 2100lbs. Hopefully you have really good insurance, because you are playing with fire.

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/auto-...city/information/truck-tow-over-capacity1.htm

exceeding your vehicle's towing capacity could also lead to swaying. This occurs when the towed load begins to move side to side, independently of the direction in which it's being towed by the coach vehicle. It's a dangerous situation, and one that can occu*r even when you're towing within your vehicle's capacity.