Towing vibration

Howdy fellas. Yesterday I took my quad up to the mountains for a little fun away from the heat here in PHX. While towing my utility trailer I was noticing some steering wheel vibration and wobbling. Never does it without the trailer. It’s a 10 ft Big Tex. Bought it brand new. It’s got maybe 400 miles on the tires. The weird thing is it doesn’t do it all the time. Could it just be the roads? I noticed my passenger seat vibrating like crazy as well. I’m new to towing so I would love some feedback! Truck has 5000 miles on it btw

 

With 400 miles on trailer I would check lug nuts and air in trailer tires might want to jack up trailer and rotate tire make sure they are round some trailer tire aren’t the best quality pretty much all imported

 

I run close to max psi in the tires as I read that’s what most do? Am I wrong doing this?

 

I have an Aluma 6310H (3K axle). It begins to vibrate at 68 mph. Tires balanced, no help. One of the tires is noticeably Out of round. Since I don't have it loaded to near capacity, I dropped the tire pressure to 46 psi cold. That helped a lot. My other trailer, a steel 6x12 that weighs twice as much was horrible until I replaced the tires with better quality radials. Now its smooth as silk. Will replace tires on the lighter trailer this fall.
bc

 

My tires are radials and seem to be in excellent condition. What’s weird about this is it has times that it’s smooth as silk, and others where the truck will almost like shake with steering wheel wobble.

 

What’s a good way to test for balancing? Or is it something I’d have to take to a tire shop?

 

The pavement can set up a harmonic vibration. If tires are out of balance or out of round it will amplify the problem. The 4 wheeler in your pic is not loading the suspension much so you are not getting much damping there. Where the center of gravity of the trailer and load is located has an affect. Tires can look great but still have lousy ride quality. Most utility trailers and new vehicles for that matter come with cheap tires.

 

So do you think I should alter how I load my quad? Weighs about 750 lbs

 

I've experienced this issue and still experience it somewhat. Removing the rear sway helped a bit. I haven't hauled my tractor anywhere yet so I'm not sure how it handles with a heavy load but light loads are bumpy on certain roads. New trailer too...2017 tandem axle.

 

Nope.

 

Thanks a lot for the input Colorado. I’ll get them balanced.

 

Of course they don’t......oh well. Taking to Discount tire this weekend. Thanks again

 

****UPDATE****

Well to nobody’s surprise, ColoradoTJ was correct. Took the trailer tires in for balancing. Finally drove the quad up for some riding today. Vibration and steering wheel shake 100% gone. Tows like a freakin dream now. Best $30 I ever spent! Thanks again for the input. This forums is awesome!

 

Holy crap. Sorry but towing is the last thing I’m lying about having experience in. Especially when he has a friend like you with so much experience. Glad it was only tires that took the punishment