Stop jerk?n my truck around??.

C

chrisg

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jun 29, 2004
Messages
476
I noticed that when I?m pulling my 18 foot bayliner, which has surge brakes, it jerks on the truck when I?m driving down the highway ( do?n 60MPH) why is that, is something not adjusted correctly?

The spec says its 2,691 lbs with trailer, 21 ? feet long. /I have a Colorado,4WD

Or do I just live with the Jerk?
 
F

fishingdan

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Feb 12, 2005
Messages
1,045
Re: Stop jerk?n my truck around??.

Is it swaying? This usually occurs once you reach a certain speed. Swaying is a rhythmic motion where the trailer starts moving back and forth across the lane. It will jerk the truck around.

Swaying is dangerous and you need to make the necessary adjustments to correct that. It isn't hard to correct one you diagnose it.

You will feel a boat trailer of that size on something the size of a Colorado.
 
C

chrisg

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jun 29, 2004
Messages
476
Re: Stop jerk?n my truck around??.

no, it's just a back and forth motion when driving, like the brakes turn on then off on the trailer, jerking the truck. Is that possible? ( Yes the ball is the correct size)
 
Silvertip

Silvertip

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Sep 22, 2003
Messages
28,771
Re: Stop jerk?n my truck around??.

Think here! There are two axis to consisder. Is the jerking a fore/aft motion (like someone is tugging on the hitch) directly from the rear or is it a side-to-side motion (like someone is tugging on the hitch from OTHER than straight back. Either of those conditions can be due to too little tongue weight. Depending on the model Colorado you have, 2900# is NOT too much weight for that truck. A loose axle on the trailer can cause this feeling it moves around. A loose hitch can cause the feeling. A tire with a cord separation can really cause this sensation. Depending on speed, tar strips can set up an oscillation that can cause some odd forces on the truck. You really need to be more specific about the issue.
 
Yepblaze

Yepblaze

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Jun 1, 2001
Messages
1,686
Re: Stop jerk?n my truck around??.

I've experienced something like that a few times.

Adding tounge weight helped in one instance, securing the bow of boat into the bow stop helped on another, and the third got new rear axle shocks.
 
dingbat

dingbat

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Nov 20, 2001
Messages
16,034
Re: Stop jerk?n my truck around??.

A bad or misadjusted actuator shock absorber will cause that problem. As will brakes that need bleed and or low fluid level in the coupler.
 
C

chrisg

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jun 29, 2004
Messages
476
Re: Stop jerk?n my truck around??.

I said Jerking -For/aft motion, I did not say swaying ( left and right). I guess I will look for a place to look into it. I thought someone would say that that is normal, and my truck is too light.
 
j_martin

j_martin

Admiral
Joined
Sep 22, 2006
Messages
7,474
Re: Stop jerk?n my truck around??.

chrisg said:
I said Jerking -For/aft motion, I did not say swaying ( left and right). I guess I will look for a place to look into it. I thought someone would say that that is normal, and my truck is too light.
Click to expand...

Check your tongue weight first. If it's too light, that could be the problem. If it's good, the brake actuator likely needs attention.

hope it helps
John
 
C

chrisg

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jun 29, 2004
Messages
476
Re: Stop jerk?n my truck around??.

Thanks, sounds like this is NOT normal, and I will have it looked at. Well, atleast I created a catchy title! ;D
 
H

hard-3

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
May 29, 2006
Messages
154
Re: Stop jerk?n my truck around??.

sounds like the shock in the surge actuator has given up. I had the same problem on Atwood actuator. Also to much weight on back can cause front end of trailer to bounce on rough roads. feels like someone ran into the back of ya. Try moving some of the STUFF to the bow and see if distributing weight helps any
 
H

hard-3

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
May 29, 2006
Messages
154
Re: Stop jerk?n my truck around??.

Also noticed it worse on the way home, due to less fuel in tank sloshing, water not drained out ect.
 
F

fishntoss

Cadet
Joined
Jan 30, 2008
Messages
19
Re: Stop jerk?n my truck around??.

Are you used to towing.. I think I know the jerking feeling you're talking about.. As you bounce on down the highway, the boat and trailer need to go somewhere and it isn't always up and down. I have a full size P.U. and I get that also.. no it's not the shocks or misaligned parts..

This jerking motion isn't real bad is it??? If it is then I'd go with some of the other replies.. I'm only mentioning what I experience in my short experiences.

AFter about a half hour or so, I don't notice all the noise the trailer makes bouncing around on the highway. Bouncing= the effect the trailer hitch has on the ball and other towing accessories.. Rattles, and such.. NOT the unsafe kind of noises......give me a break here.. you know what I mean:)

If you're not that experienced towing have someone who is drive your vehicle and see what they think...

My 2cents....
 
C

chrisg

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jun 29, 2004
Messages
476
Re: Stop jerk?n my truck around??.

Thanks fishntoss, your the first person who knows what I'm talking about. no it is not that bad, I just wondered if it was normal, as I did not notice it on other trailers I pulled. But the idea of the gas sloshing in the tank may have something to do with it. ( I also noticed that my receiver has some slop where it connects with the pin, you can wiggle the ball up and down a tiny bit. thought of adding something to stiffen that up.)
 
mthieme

mthieme

Captain
Joined
Oct 6, 2007
Messages
3,270
Re: Stop jerk?n my truck around??.

Yeah, people tend get a little tooooooo technical here.
I have experienced this as well, usually with heavier loads.
I had an S10 which I could feel every little thing with - got a full size p/u now which is less sensitive. Occassionally, when I have really heavy loads, I borrow my buddy's Dodge dually diesel - can't feel anything behind that beast!
 
L

Lawton5

Recruit
Joined
Aug 16, 2008
Messages
3
Re: Stop jerk?n my truck around??.

I've drivven tow truck for a number of years and hauled all sorts of trailers around from construction sheds to 45 foot boats. I've never felt this unless there was something wrong whit the trailer or the hitch. I lost a shed once cus the ball was the wrong size and I didn't realize it right away, and it thumped and pulled down the road till it finally jumped off the hitch and slid into my truck. (thank god for safety chains) only one other time I felt what you are describing was when a tire had gone flat and added lots of friction to my tow. Brakes and weight distribution could play a part, but I'd be willing to bet that something is wrong mechanically
 
B

BigB9000

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Dec 5, 2007
Messages
1,154
Re: Stop jerk?n my truck around??.

are your tires flat? came off the bead maybe? How long have you been driving on that rim? You did'nt notice the sparks?!

haha.... ohh I kill myself

anyway, my car does this too. I thinks its normal to the load bouncing
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top