Rice trailer jolting towing vehicle

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MissMistletoe

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Recently purchased Rice Europa off a chap who used it to store stuff in (non horsey). The intention is to do it up and use next year.

We have a Toyota Landcruiser which we towed trailer home with when we bought it. Basically, the whole way home the trailer was jolting forwards as if there was a horse pawing the ground in there. The Toyota was being jolted forwards and the fan kicked in and we had to pull over to work out what the problem was and get some coolant.

Whilst at the petrol station, we checked Toyota's tyres and that the trailer's tyre pressure wasn't too high; 3 were way over inflated so we were hopeful that that was the causative issue. But no difference at all to the jolting.

Finally unhitched at the stables and OH hitched it up to the Defender, and it did the same, so it's not the towing vehicle.

OH then managed to very easily push trailer around unhitched, all 4 wheels turn whether on ground or when trailer jacked up.

Can anybody shed some light on what could be going on here?

Thankyou.
 
MissMistletoe said:
Recently purchased Rice Europa off a chap who used it to store stuff in (non horsey). The intention is to do it up and use next year.

We have a Toyota Landcruiser which we towed trailer home with when we bought it. Basically, the whole way home the trailer was jolting forwards as if there was a horse pawing the ground in there. The Toyota was being jolted forwards and the fan kicked in and we had to pull over to work out what the problem was and get some coolant.

Whilst at the petrol station, we checked Toyota's tyres and that the trailer's tyre pressure wasn't too high; 3 were way over inflated so we were hopeful that that was the causative issue. But no difference at all to the jolting.

Finally unhitched at the stables and OH hitched it up to the Defender, and it did the same, so it's not the towing vehicle.

OH then managed to very easily push trailer around unhitched, all 4 wheels turn whether on ground or when trailer jacked up.

Can anybody shed some light on what could be going on here?

Thankyou.
Click to expand...

Its the coupling damper. Mine used to stick on when I reversed and the back of the car would feel like it was going up on the air. Its because the gas in the damper is failing. Probably not explaining it well. Its the cylinder in the rubber concetina casing between the hitch and the front of the unit. And when you pull i.e tow the cylinder releases. When you reverse it compresses together like a concentina. A problem with the damper would cause your trailer to keep snatching and would give the feel yours is giving. You can get spare ones to fit in the couplings. Dad bought one and fitted mine in, back breaking job as the damper is under pressure so difficult to fit.

Here is an image on this link. https://www.trailertek.com/acatalog/Coupling_Dampers.html

Now someone please help me with my trailer problem in the 'tack room' section of this forum . Thanks! :)http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?706300-Trailer-brake-problem
 
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Brakes sticking or no brakes (if they were sticking good chance you have no brakes now). If the trailer has been sitting would be a good idea to have a full service done before towing it again.
 
Three very helpful replies, thankyou very much!

We are planning on getting it serviced, but it's a 45 minute drive away and don't want to do the Toyota any more bother.

My OH is very handy, so it is well worth doing the dampers as that seems a likely cause and then at least we can tow it to trailer service garage.
 
MissMistletoe said:
Three very helpful replies, thankyou very much!

We are planning on getting it serviced, but it's a 45 minute drive away and don't want to do the Toyota any more bother.

My OH is very handy, so it is well worth doing the dampers as that seems a likely cause and then at least we can tow it to trailer service garage.
Click to expand...

I think dad ordered my damper from Avonride. Damper second item down on this link: http://www.knottuk.com/products-trailer-technology/coupling-range/cast-delta-couplings-kfg/

Best to ring the tech guys and ask them in customer service which type you want.
Now has anyone posted/solved my trailer problem????
 
Sounds like the damper to me too, they give a horrible jolt when not working properly, I've towed my old Rice with no brakes at all after the cable snapped whilst moving a motorbike for a friend, tbh didn't notice any great difference in ride. If your trailer brakes were binding you would certainly smell it. :)
 
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