Trailer vibration when towing

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SHIP4BRAINS

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Discussion starter · #1 · Dec 14, 2009

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This isn't a boat trailer...it is a gooseneck flatbed. It has two 8000K torsion axles. We are experiencing a "shimmy" at a specific speed, about 45mph only. We have been tracking this down for a while. We initially thought it was the trailer tires...all have since been balanced. We then re-balanced all of the truck tires ....we thought all was good until we towed it with another truck and the damn shake is back, at that speed.

Could the axles being out of alingment with each other cause a vibration at a specific speed?

The tires don't have enough miles on them to show any evidence of strange wear.....

 

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US1Fountain

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#2 · Dec 14, 2009

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Possibly, but I'd think out of alignment axles would just make for uneven tire wear from them scuffing. Did you check for looseness: bearings, axle bolts, or even the rubber torsion inserts, or a bent rim?

 

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SHIP4BRAINS

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Discussion starter · #3 · Dec 14, 2009

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Rims/tires were checked, and balanced. When we got the tires/rims they were not balanced. That is one of the first things we did.

We actually installed the axles on the trailer. We just purchased the axles new. We haven't given the components a shake-down....next step I guess.

 

Rattlesnake Jake

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#4 · Dec 14, 2009

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With or without a load?

 

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SHIP4BRAINS

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Discussion starter · #5 · Dec 14, 2009

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Only empty, I'm told.

 

Mopower

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#6 · Dec 15, 2009

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Certainly sounds like a tire or wheel but you said they were checked. I'd check axle alignment next. I switched to torsion axles myself in '06. Must have measured 10 times before drilling once. Luckly no probs. Only other possibly could be a dragging brake or warped rotor.

 

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layinitdown

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#7 · Dec 15, 2009

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a broken belt in the tire will not show up during balancing. personally rebalanced my tires twice. made me crazy for two months. the trailer would almost shift lanes by itself at a certain speed. the tires start to oscillate creating a harmonic and vibration. look for a bulge or oddity in one or more of the tires. just a side note check the tire pressure, you may need to lower it when you are running empty. good luck it can be a pain.