Vibration when towing at highway speed - Toyota 4Runner Forum

vr4z06gt · 11-26-2015, 03:41 PM

I am curious if this is a problem that I should be concerned with....I was towing a ~2300lb two axle two horse trailer (empty). I noticed that when under load (on the throttle) at highway speed I would get a vibration (nothing major but it felt like an unbalanced tire) when towing. At speeds <50mph I would not notice this...at speeds>65mph (especially going up hill) I would notice a vibration when under load. If I would let off of the throttle the vibration would almost go way. I would not notice this issue when accelerating from a stop.

Any thoughts?

Happy thanksgiving!

having fun · 11-26-2015, 03:52 PM

Not supposed to do that. Not sure where to have you start to look. I tow 2-8k occasionally at various speeds and hills, no such problem when I do.

Was there shacking in the steering wheel or the vehicle?

vr4z06gt · 11-26-2015, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by having fun

Not supposed to do that. Not sure where to have you start to look. I tow 2-8k occasionally at various speeds and hills, no such problem when I do.

Was there shacking in the steering wheel or the vehicle?

vehicle. steering wheel was fine.
If it helps 2008 4x4 V8

RPS13 · 11-26-2015, 10:06 PM

I get a slight vibration towing between about 65-72 mph in my 2WD V6 with an 18' open steel car hauler with a 240SX on it. I'm guessing it has to do with air vortex shedding from the 4Runner interacting with the trailer/towed car, because it tends to get worse if I'm behind an 18 wheeler. It definitely goes away above 75 mph, and below about 65-62 mph. Kind of annoying since I'd like to be towing about 65-70 mph most places.

I'd say the frequency is roughly 2-3 times a second on the vibration.

having fun · 11-26-2015, 10:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RPS13

I get a slight vibration towing between about 65-72 mph in my 2WD V6 with an 18' open steel car hauler with a 240SX on it. I'm guessing it has to do with air vortex shedding from the 4Runner interacting with the trailer/towed car, because it tends to get worse if I'm behind an 18 wheeler. It definitely goes away above 75 mph, and below about 65-62 mph. Kind of annoying since I'd like to be towing about 65-70 mph most places.

I'd say the frequency is roughly 2-3 times a second on the vibration.

Air turbulence is a possibility for what both of you are getting in vibrations, but I doubt it. I'm not a professional at that stuff.

But as far as when your tailing a big rig, your getting less turbulence unless you have a lot of tailing distance. The closer you are to the rig the less resistance you have on you, the same as Nascar racers follow so close.
Notice how 18 wheelers tend to have another following close to another, better fuel mileage.

RPS13 · 11-27-2015, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by having fun

Air turbulence is a possibility for what both of you are getting in vibrations, but I doubt it. I'm not a professional at that stuff.

But as far as when your tailing a big rig, your getting less turbulence unless you have a lot of tailing distance. The closer you are to the rig the less resistance you have on you, the same as Nascar racers follow so close.
Notice how 18 wheelers tend to have another following close to another, better fuel mileage.

The turbulence from vortex shedding can be really severe, so don't discount it.

You're mixing up terms, as you're correct that aerodynamic drag goes down when following another vehicle closely, but the turbulence in the wake will go UP due to what's known as vortex shedding off the bluff body of the trailer.

As you get close to the trailer, the flow will start to become really unsteady and the vortexes can be really strong.

vr4z06gt · 11-28-2015, 08:08 AM

humm....interesting responses. I would point out that the trailer is larger than the 4runner. About 8.5 feet high (vs ~6ft for the truck) and also wider than the 4runner. I am planning on towing the trailer home tonight, with about ~2k lbs of stuff, so we shall see what happens.

Thanks everyone for the responses.

nikkireed · 02-27-2020, 07:58 AM

Which type of truck you are using to tow if you are not company driver you can get an assistant from the Roadside Assistance Services to get solve your problem within a couple of hours.

fordhorse · 02-27-2020, 03:13 PM

If it's the v8, have your front axles checked.
Similar rpm as a tire vibe.
Typically under acceleration.
Especially going up hill.
You did all your Diagnostics already.

Dropzone · 03-01-2020, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nikkireed

Which type of truck you are using to tow if you are not company driver you can get an assistant from the Roadside Assistance Services to get solve your problem within a couple of hours.

Yo nikki! Do you also make spammiches when you play thread Archeology?

Spam post reported

AJHappyCats · 05-29-2020, 10:57 AM

Hello,
Did you ever find a resolution to the vibration issue?
We get the exact same problem. Just a slight vibration under load. Like starting from a stop, or pulling up a step hill at highway speed. Ok on flats, at any speed. Feels like drive shaft, transmission, or engine.
Both front axles and wheel bearings have been changed recently, same issue.
2005 V8 3" lift 30" tires
Squats a bit with the tongue weight of our 4000 camper.

importman · 05-29-2020, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AJHappyCats

Hello,
Did you ever find a resolution to the vibration issue?
We get the exact same problem. Just a slight vibration under load. Like starting from a stop, or pulling up a step hill at highway speed. Ok on flats, at any speed. Feels like drive shaft, transmission, or engine.
Both front axles and wheel bearings have been changed recently, same issue.
2005 V8 3" lift 30" tires
Squats a bit with the tongue weight of our 4000 camper.

I agree with what fordhorse said above. Front cv axles will cause that during acceleration. I think it's the inner joints that cause it. I've seen it on multiple fwd vehicles. In fact my mother in law recently bought a Honda Odyssey used and when I drove it I told her what she needed. The Honda dealer she bought it from disagreed and after trying a few other things they finally replaced the axles and it was fixed.

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