Trailer Question

[jimraab]

I have been trailering my jet ski trailer for years with no issue. I went to take it out the other day and felt a bucking type feeling while trailering it. (and this was on a smooth road) The jet ski also looked to be bouncing a bit while I looked at in the rear view mirror. I decided to turn around and go home. The tires seem to be fine. The trailer was locked over the ball. The car seems to be running fine without the trailer and I am pretty confident the car is not the problem. Any ideas what to look for?

 

[Seadoobuddy]

Probably a good choice to turn around...........

How are the wheel bearings in the hub of the trailer?

Do you have a bearing buddy and kept them greased?

go take a gander at them and report back with pics.

 

[jimraab]

Probably a good choice to turn around...........

How are the wheel bearings in the hub of the trailer?

Do you have a bearing buddy and kept them greased?

go take a gander at them and report back with pics.

I do have bearing buddies and will check them as soon as I get a chance. I wouldn't have thought about that, but you are saying bad bearings can exhibit the symptoms I am referring to? I appreciated your input!

 

[Coastiejoe]

I do have bearing buddies and will check them as soon as I get a chance. I wouldn't have thought about that, but you are saying bad bearings can exhibit the symptoms I am referring to? I appreciated your input!

Jack up one side at a time and see if you can wiggle the tire/hub assembly. This will either confirm an issue or prove that the bearings/hub are good.

Easy to do and gives you good information mo matter the result.

 

[jimraab]

I jacked up each side of the trailer and both wheels spin fine with no play. Next I checked out the latch mechanism, greased it, and even tightened the adjusting nut. Took it out several times and I can still feel a jerking feeling while towing. You can even feel it slightly at 25 MPH. Took the car up to 50 MPH and put the car in neutral and you could still feel it. (thinking it was the car engine) My neighbor told me that after so many years the ball on the hitch wears out and should be replaced. My next door neighbor has an SUV that I will test the trailer with this week. I am just confused on this one.

 

[LouDoo]

It sounds to me like you've got a bad tire, like one of the belts is separating.

Lou

 

[jimraab]

It sounds to me like you've got a bad tire, like one of the belts is separating.

Lou

Lou, they are fairly new, but I will take a look at them. One never knows until you check.

Thank you!

 

[Seadoobuddy]

Do you hear a clunking noise at the same time.
If so, then please check the hitch pin and the hole in the receiver and the hitch. If enlarged then the pin will be moving about as the car speeds up and slows down. If that is the case then see if you can buy a larger pin, otherwise maybe welding the hole smaller or buy a new one.

 

[Sportster-2001-951C-Stock]

I had a similar problem once and discovered the tire was flat, but only at the bottom!

I wonder if yours are egg shaped(no longer perfectly round)?

 

[Dr Honda]

...................

I wonder if yours are egg shaped(no longer perfectly round)?

Yep... when my trailers sit... the tires will get a flat spot, and give a bumpy ride, until they get warm.


Did you change anything in the set-up of the trailer? Add a box?... move the ski?... Load more/less weight in the storage box?... etc.



But, as Lou said... it could be a bad tire. They don't have to be old, to be bad.

 

[Sportster-2001-951C-Stock]

But, as Lou said... it could be a bad tire. They don't have to be old, to be bad.

Yep. I've seen my fair share of almost brand new tires that were already bad, and old tires that just kept on going and going.

Many people don't realize real trailer tires should be filled to 80psi, so check your sidewall for the proper inflation pressure!

They don't have to be old, to be bad.

So I'm wondering, exactly where does this place you?

 

[Seadoobuddy]

Some Trailer tire info from Discount Tire.

http://www.discounttire.com/dtcs/infoTrailerTireFacts.dos

This states max MPH is 65 for trailer tires, but Belle tire says that the newer trailer tires can go up to 75 MPH due to better materials/design/, etc

 

[jimraab]

First of all thanks so much for all of the feedback. I have a busy week, but will try to check out the suggestions listed. I do not hear a clunking sound, but will check the tires and tire pressure, including the hitch pin. Will update you as soon as I find the issue.

 

[crisso]

It will be the tyre as Lou and Doc said.They flat spot.After sitting.The rubber goes hard..A loooooong tow may fix it but not likely.