Vibration Problem with Trailer

[Mahindra One]

I bought a used 18' Big Tex bumper pull trailer about a year ago. It was in very good condition with Carlisle tires at I'd say 80%. I use very infrequently but did so a couple weeks ago to haul a 20' stock panel about 20 miles. Noticed a great deal of vibration when doing so, so I stopped at tire store when I got to town. Tire guy showed me evidence of scalloping on one tire and told me he doesn't balance trailer tires (which I later learned is a crock) and to just continue using but for shorter trips. I took it home and jacked up and in so doing noticed the camber in the rear axle was much more than front so I replaced rear axle, had the tires balanced and replaced scalloped tire with a new one. I'm still getting "some" vibration, but much better than before. Do any of you suppose that when I put a load on the trailer it will minimize the vibration problem or will it continue to get worse? This is a bothersome problem as this is the nicest trailer I've ever owned and it's turning out to be the most problematic.

 

[kevin37b]

Get rid of those carlisle tires .

 

[joe t]

Wheel bent?

 

[Lou66]

Sound like one of your axles is out of alignment.. when you add load it will get worst if it is a alignment problem.. first thing I would have checked would have been the tires which you did.. Lou

 

[Diamondpilot]

Carlisle tires first off are the worst of the worst. I agree it may be a bent wheel. Only easy way to check that is to have all 4 dynamically balanced. (Spin Balanced)

I am in the trailer business and those Carlisle and Goodyear Marathon trailer tires are junk. Gets some Greenball Towmasters, Maxxis ST Radials, or Gladiators. Only radial tires. I will not touch a bias. They flat spot which may also be your issue.

Not to throw salt in the wound but there is no such thing as a good used trailer. 99 times out of 100 the customers buy too small and abuse it. This seems to be the case with yours, ie bent axle. By the time you sort out that, fix your wiring, new tires, ect you could buy new. I see it every week. Not harping on you just want others to realize a used trailer is just that and almost always no bargain.

Chris

 

[flyingcow]

Not to throw salt in the wound but there is no such thing as a good used trailer. 99 times out of 100 the customers buy too small and abuse it. This seems to be the case with yours, ie bent axle. By the time you sort out that, fix your wiring, new tires, ect you could buy new. I see it every week. Not harping on you just want others to realize a used trailer is just that and almost always no bargain.


I agree Chris. I will have over $3000 in my 26ft GN after the "deal" on the trailer, plus brakes, paint, reflector tape, etc.

 

[Pops15]

Did the trailer have the vibration problem when you got it?
Scalloped tires are usually caused by tires being out of balance.
I doubt a bent axle would cause a vibration. It would more likely cause the trailer to not track properly or may even cause it to sway.
I think you were on the right track replacing the scalloped tire and replacing the other three should cure the vibration problem.

 

[wny770]

Carlisle tires first off are the worst of the worst. I agree it may be a bent wheel. Only easy way to check that is to have all 4 dynamically balanced. (Spin Balanced)

I am in the trailer business and those Carlisle and Goodyear Marathon trailer tires are junk. Gets some Greenball Towmasters, Maxxis ST Radials, or Gladiators. Only radial tires. I will not touch a bias. They flat spot which may also be your issue.

Chris

Spot on about the Carlisle tires. You will always pay twice in the long run with a cheap trailer tire. I agree start with the tires / wheels.

 

[crbr]

...... It was in very good condition with Carlisle tires

That made me laugh...

 

[schmism]

99 times out of 100 the customers buy too small and abuse it. Chris

Sweet! im 1 of a 100!

No reason why if your shopping CL for a used trailer and you know what to look for you cant get a used trailer for a used trailer price.

I dont mind putting $1500 into a used trailer that sells for $3000 if i got it for $800.

Just because you buy a trailer new doesnt mean it wont come with cheepest chineese trailer tires for that load possible. so even brand new you may end up putting new "quality" tires on it in a year or 2 just like the used version.

for my 1 in a 100 story, my 20' flat deck equipment trailer has been great. Ive worked on some wireing, (replaced a few lights that *I* broke) granted it would be nice to have a new jack and some better fenders, but the ones on it do there job, so i keep useing it like that for $1000.