Rapid trailer jerk at higher speeds

Joined
Jul 3, 2022
Messages
12
Yes sir.....
I don't get the laughs n jokes at the launch or on the river that I thought I'd get.
It's almost like I get, or atleast the boat gets respect.
It's a classic, guys come to look it over, tho mainly older guys.
Long story short, grew up fishing Hatward WI area, boating on the Fox chain o lakes, got away from fishing a while, then a buddy tool me to Wlof River, Fremont, WI, for the white bass n walleye run. Remembered how.much I love it.
Didn't have much money to spend on toys, but found this for $900. She's old, but a beast.
Had to pull Mike's of solid house wire out of it, rewire and fish a lot, but for a total of about $1200, I have a boat that's solid like a tank, and starts every time. Was surprised, even at 18 1/2' it still has positive floatation. Didn't think they were concerned about that back then.
Got lucky 2 weeks ago, picked up an '85 Johnson 9.9, just have to clean n adjust carbs.
It don't get the best gas mileage, and I get soaked in anything over 1ft waves, but I can fit me, dog, 2 buddies, and our gear for the day comfortably.
Kinda funny, I'm spending $5000 on a helix 9SI, and MK Terrova because TM is basically shot, plus at 35lb thrust, it don't do much in river current, with that size boat, but, I'll keep the graph n TM with me, the rest of my life.
Allows me to get out almost anywhere around here, and spend time chasing fish.
Plus, it's not a deep V, it's flat in the back, and can float in 1 1/2 ft of water. If, I have the strength to pull the 65hp up, has no power tilt/trim, and gas assist is shot.
For what I have in it, I can't complain.
Spend money on trips, not boat payments.
I'd love a Lund 22' Pro V, but don't have $130k to drop. Thinking about an alumicraft or similar, but still, just the motor is $30k. Until I win the lottery, this will do.
After walleye run this fall, want to tear it down, rebuild it right. Just need to find an indoor space to work on it for a month or 2.
It's been apart once, atleast.
Only 1/2 plywood on floors, AL the house wiring I pulled out, and every rivit they used is too short, and the wrong kind. But, for now, it works.
This trailer issue is the 1st major problem I've had in 4 years since I bought it.
I'm trying to use a different tow vehicle, to see if it's the trailer or van, but everyone I know works too much, or takes family out on the weekends
Thanks to everyone for all the suggestions.
So far, added tongue weight seems to help.
Until.i get on a scale, I can't be sure I'm at 15% +/-...
I have to make sure I solve the jerking problem soon, because buddies n I booked 2 weeks near Leech lake MN, and 2 weeks near Hayward WI, on top of hitting Winneconne WI, as much as possible in spring and fall.
I'll post when I have a chance to try something else. Because I couldn't find anything on Google about a rapid trailer jerk, forward and back, or anything like this.
I can't be the only one with this problem..
I've even had a friend, that's ASE Master Mechanic, go over my van. Besides the rear shocks, he found nothing wrong.
So, I'll just keep trying different things, til I solve it.
 

briangcc

Commander
Joined
Jul 10, 2012
Messages
2,360
I'm still shocked we're still on the trailer being the issue as OP has mentioned several times now that the trailer towed with his/her OLD vehicle fine but with the NEW vehicle it suddenly has an issue.

U-haul, Budget, Enterprise (for an additional fee) all have full sized pickup trucks with hitches to tow. Rent one for a few $$ and find out for yourself where the problem lies - my money is on the NEW vehicle since that's what's changed.
 
Joined
Jul 3, 2022
Messages
12
Hi, sorry it's been a while.
I wanted to end the thread right, hopefully help someone else.
I did pull wheels, all bearings and related parts are perfect, cleaned and repacked.
Putting an extra 100 lbs or so in front of boat, adding toung weight, seemed to help.
But, I still have the same issue, just not as often, and I can accelerate to stop it, if I catch it right away. I did try adding about 350lbs to tounge weight, didn't make a difference after 100 lbs.

I did tow with 2 other vehicles, and no issues at all.
I'm gonna say the tounge weight was a little light, and I corrected that.
But my van must be the main problem.
Being an older van, I juat have to deal with it for now, until u get another vehicle.
I'll have to drive this til it dies, because money has been tight, and as you know, new and used vehicles are priced crazy right now.

Thanks to everyone that helped.
I'm still gonna try for 1 more shirt trip to Winneconne, WI, try for some big walleye, because it wil be about 5 months until I get back out on the water.
Plus, I found a place I can store boat inside, no heat, but has electric, I can run a torpedo heater....
Gona give boat some love, which it needs, seeing its about 45 years old, and previous owner had it about 90% apart, to replace transom and flooring, but didn't do a very good job. They didn't know what they were doing, At all. It works as is, but I'm out a lot, and try to take care of what I have.
I plan on replacing transom with either composite or treated 2x12, changing front deck a little, to provide room for a 24 volt set up, powered anchor, new helix 9, and terrrova, plus add little storage.
Redo rod locker, and possible move console a little, relocate live well, and rewire the whole boat properly.
When I bought it, I had to pull over 200 feet of 14 ga solid house wire out of it, just to feel safe. Lol
I'll post on another thread, as I go...

Thanks again.
You all had great theories, and gave me a lot of help.
Have fun and stay safe.
 
Joined
Jul 3, 2022
Messages
12
Yes, that makes sense.
I know the shocks are gone...
But has air/ stability system.
Looking at 450$ + to replace. .
I have to deal with it for now.
Replacing with normal gas shocks takes a kit, that's $300, plus shocks.
Van needles so much, juat getting new vehicle soon. I use it for work, so always overloaded.
When it happens, I get jerked like a bucking bronco, about the speed of an M2, 50 cal.

It makes my eyes blur.. lol
The for new van..
Hate that winter is here, and fishing, atleast on a boat, is about done
Thanks for all the help.
Van needs about 2500 in repairs. And a 2005.

Thanks again
 

Lou C

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Nov 10, 2002
Messages
12,654
Ok I had an intermittent (not frequent) jerking/vibration on my 07 Grand Cherokee that took me a while to figure out. Finally I realized it happens usually right after parking on a steep hill with the parking brake firmly applied. Then once smelled hot brake smell from driver side rear bake. Checked with IR temp gun & rotor hat area where parking brake is was 450*F. Took off rotors & replaced parking brake shoes. Found that coating/paint on metal shoes had delaminated & was jamming the parking brake actuator. Replaced shoes lubed everything with brake grease & no more problem…..
 
Last edited:

ahicks

Captain
Joined
Sep 16, 2013
Messages
3,957
Just a shot in the dark, but is the bow of the boat firmly attached to the front of the trailer - as in there's NO chance of movement between the boat and the trailer?
 

airshot

Vice Admiral
Joined
Jul 22, 2008
Messages
5,080
Just saw this thread, seems I had a very similiar issue a few years back. Mine was with a Chevy Blazer but my car guy told me it is not uncommon to have older vehicles shake and sway due to wornout suspension systems. My blazer towed without issues until one summer I could not stop the sway, no matter what I tried. Boat towed great with other vehicles, after close inspection we found the rear spring assemblies to be worn and sloppy ( 200k miles) as well as the front ball joints and A arm bushings were worn and sloppy. All these worn components created enough play to allow the sway/ shake when towing. With no trailer the blazer drove quite well, only felt the play in the suspension when going over rough RR tracks. Gave my blazer to my grandaughter for her first car, her boyfriend replace all the worn suspension parts, and guess what, after that it towed great !!
 

Lou C

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Nov 10, 2002
Messages
12,654
Good to know, most people wouldn't think of that....
 

HRG

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jul 16, 2022
Messages
121
Good to know, most people wouldn't think of that....
Is there a way to view this thread in "threaded view" instead of "flat view" that I'm using now, so I can tell who you are responding to? Thanks!
 

jimmbo

Supreme Mariner
Joined
May 24, 2004
Messages
13,446
Since it is fine with other Tow Vehicles, the trailer is likely in the clear
I don't pay attention to, or have any knowledge of 99% of the Vehicles made/sold. This Buick, is it FWD, RWD, AWD...?
 

Grub54891

Admiral
Joined
Jun 17, 2012
Messages
6,073
I see you want to replace the transom with treated. Don't do that. Treated causes corrosion on aluminum. Now I did read some treated stuff nowadays is ok, but I don't know what it's called.
 

airshot

Vice Admiral
Joined
Jul 22, 2008
Messages
5,080
The new treated stuff is crap !!! I was forced ro use the " green space" new type of lumber and it rotted thru in 15 years....however the untreated regular lumber is still good !! Side by side outdoors....dont waste money on new type treated lumber
 

Scott Danforth

Grumpy Vintage Moderator still playing with boats
Staff member
Joined
Jul 23, 2011
Messages
49,540
The new treated stuff is crap !!! I was forced ro use the " green space" new type of lumber and it rotted thru in 15 years....however the untreated regular lumber is still good !! Side by side outdoors....dont waste money on new type treated lumber
Im only getting 7 years on fence sections

anything rot proof or mildew proof after 2004 is not.....that is when they quit using arsenic in things like marine vinyl, marine foam, treated lumber, etc.
 

jimmbo

Supreme Mariner
Joined
May 24, 2004
Messages
13,446
My fence was last replaced in 1984, it is still up. Cedar
 
Joined
Jul 3, 2022
Messages
12
Thanks for the info about transom wood.
I agree, the new "treated wood" is crap ! I do handyman and construction work. We're lucky, if we get 5 to 7 years, on a fence post.
Cedar, on the other hand, is rot resistant, on its own. Nothing is rot proof, but cedar is the best choice there.

But, thanks, I never put 2 and 2, together, as far as new stuff rotting fast.
Plus, I didn't know composit would interact with aluminum. Makes sense tho.
I'll have to look into what my best choice would be.
I've had boat 3 years, and when I got it, someone had already replaced transom, and flooring.
Besides the few hundred foot of 14 and 12ga solid house wire, they installed the floor, in little pieces, used the wrong rivets, and mangled just about everything on the boat.
For the price I paid, $900, with motor and trailer, I guess it's worth it.
Wood is still ok, I just like my toys in good condition.
Plus, it's 18 1/2, with 72 inch beam.
And not true a deep V...
I get a little wet, when waves kick up, but with a flat bottom, towards the back, I can go in about 18 inches of water.
Almost perfect for what I do.
I'm mainly in the rivers, of the Winnebago System. Boat will do 30 MPH, on calm waters.
I just have to take it easy, as waves pick up.
And,... wear a rain suit, if I'm running across lakes.

As far as my initial problem with trailer bucking like a bronco, I've come to the conclusion that it's my old, beat up van.
Time for a newer one.
A shame, because it runs great. And I get 18 MPG, either loaded with tools and ladders, or packed with gear, towing my boat.

Hopefully, things will keep going good, and I can afford a newer van, plus, rebuild boat, and add my Helix and Terrova.
Thansk for all the help.
If anyone has a suggestion, about what to use on floor and transom, I'm open to ideas...
Suppose I'll have to get a bimini, with enclosure.
What I use now, works... For $10, I have a dog that's happy, and a window I can fish thru, when the cold rain hits.
I just get funny looks, and lots of questions.
But, once I explain it, they stop laughing.

20220911_121033.jpg20220907_135203.jpg
Can't wait for spring already...lol
Thanks again, to everyone.
 

jimmbo

Supreme Mariner
Joined
May 24, 2004
Messages
13,446
Marine Plywood is best. Others will say Exterior Grade is just as good, but I won't agree with them.
 

froggy1150

Master Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Nov 3, 2017
Messages
843
Leaf spring van? Rubber bushings are cheap. Urethane work better. What about just fixing the worn parts?
 
Top