Trailer jerking (snagging?)

[J1993]

So ive literally just bought a trailer. I've noticed when it's empty it seems to pull against the car going downhill or when we catch any bumps in the road which slightly rocks the car and makes it feel like the trailer is jerking and catching on the tow bar (sorry i don't know what other word to describe!) Before this I was towing my friends trailer which definitely didn't do this. I'm going to take it back to the dealer but does anyone know what i can ask them to check as to what it might be? It feels like the suspension.

 

[Tiddlypom]

It’ll be a problem in the running gear/brakes. I rescued a friend whose car had broken down when she was towing, and her Bahill trailer did that to my car all the way home .

As you bought it from a dealer, take it back, tell them what’s happening and get them to sort it - it is not fit for purpose as it is.

 

[The Xmas Furry]

It’ll be a problem in the running gear/brakes. I rescued a friend whose car had broken down when she was towing, and her Bahill trailer did that to my car all the way home .

As you bought it from a dealer, take it back, tell them what’s happening and get them to sort it - it is not fit for purpose as it is.

What she said, definitely sounds like a braking issue.

 

[Dexter]

Its usually the brakes sticking, but I wouldn't worry too much. Take it back and have the dealer find and fix it for you.

 

[Pedantic]

Glad this has been brought up, mine does this, but being as I haven't towed for a long time now I haven't bothered to get it fixed.

 

[J1993]

Thanks i didnt think of the breaks as it didn't do it when i touched the breaks. Im not too geared up on how they all work. I thought suspension but ill mention the breaks. I was out earlier with the horse and it was smooth most the way but downhill on the motorway it was catching and it felt like it made the trailer slightly bump. Then going down are bumpy track is even more horrendous than it is already.

 

[J1993]

Will just add im booked to take it back next week but its a good hour away so wanted to make sure I explained exactly what I want sorting.

 

[Merry neddy man]

Depending on age of car and trailer have they got matching size towball and trailer hitch? They both want to be 50mm.

 

[Tiddlypom]

If the dealer can’t find anything wrong (and if that is the big Ifor dealer in Lancs, they are pretty good), it could be a mismatch in heights between the trailer hitch and the tow ball on your vehicle.

 

[scruffyponies]

It does sound like your brakes, or perhaps the damper, and I would definitely ask for support from your dealer.

Sometimes empty trailers don't 'behave' as well as full ones. One thing you can try is increasing the nose weight slightly by popping a full water container or similar in the front.

 

[Nudibranch]

Mine tows much better when loaded. I don't know why to be honest. It went through its last service with no issues so unless the garage are rubbish I presume it's just one of those things.

 

[scruffyponies]

Mine tows much better when loaded. I don't know why to be honest. It went through its last service with no issues so unless the garage are rubbish I presume it's just one of those things.

It's usually because the ramp is heavy enough to affect the balance and lighten the nose weight of the trailer when it is running empty. Hence a jerry can of water on the A-frame can do the trick.

 

[Fransurrey]

As Scruffy ponies says, lack of nose weight affects towing, but the above sounds like brakes. Are you putting the handbrake on when parked? Ifors are notorious for being sticky, so we park ours chocked/locked, and leave it off. Dunno if it's the same for other trailers.

 

[Tiddlypom]

For Ifors, as well as parking with the handbrake off, if you have to reverse the trailer to park it, draw the trailer forward a short distance afterwards before uncoupling it, or the brakes will stick on when the trailer is left.

 

[Akkalia1]

If it doesn't turn out to be a brakes thing or any other issue with the trailer itself, check the height of your towball. My trailer has started doing this ever since I changed towing vehicle. To eye alone the towball looks lower to me than the previous car and I've just had my trailer serviced and they said they thought my towball was low. I'm going to contact my car dealer and see what options there are for sorting this as I think this is causing the problem. The trailer also rattles more both empty and loaded since changing towing vehicle.

 

[Nudibranch]

It's usually because the ramp is heavy enough to affect the balance and lighten the nose weight of the trailer when it is running empty. Hence a jerry can of water on the A-frame can do the trick.

Must try it!

 

[J1993]

Thanks everyone. I know it isn't the tow bar as I've towed other trailers (ifors) and i didnt have this problem. I never park it with the handbrake on and also had read about pulling forward slightly so they don't get sticky. It is a 2012 version so its 8 years old and I do think it hasnt been the most loved and looked after trailer. I just wanted something to get me from A to B. What is also interesting is that after every journey the hitch has tilted right round to the left even though it started straight and even. Again I havent had this happen on the other trailers I've used.

 

[Equi]

Might need a bit of lube around the damper if its been let to get totally dry.

 

[Tiddlypom]

The hitch tilting to the side doesn’t sound good. Something is wrong.

Have you contacted the dealer yet to report the issues? A dealer should have serviced it before putting it up for sale, unless it was ‘sold as seen’.