Strange vibration from livestock trailer

[Mudraga]

Towing a small livestock trailer (little bigger than a two horse trailer) the other day, I was getting a strange vibration over 60mph. It was similar to having a very out of balance tire except that the vibration would phase in and out. The vibration lessened in intensity after I unloded the horses, but it was still bad enough that I didn't want to drive over 60. Any ideas on what would cause that?

Some other info: I had just done a 4 wheel brake job on my Ex which included all new pads, 3 turned rotors and one new rotor. It was also the first time the truck hd been over 60mph since the brake job so I was concerned that it was my truck. But after unhooking the trailer, the vibration went away.

[mturner]

I would bet it is your trailer tires. If the trailer has the wrong tires the trailer will pull terrible. I see that all the time and I pull a lot of different stock trailers.

[short_stuff]

Also could be a trailer bearing going south. Had a friend of mine see his boat wheel pass him on the Gulf Freeway early one morning while he was heading out for a fishing trip. The whole hub assembly was still attached to the wheel lugs....Needless to say, he had to go back home and change his britches. He had noticed the trailer vibrating more than normal before it happened, but thought it was just bad pavement. I realize that stock trailers don't get immersed in water like a boat trailer will, but I think it would be at least worth checking for excessive play with the wheel lifted off the ground. just my .02 worth

[LongRider]

<font color="green">Not to sound disagreeable with the other replies, but, a wheel on a trailer can be on the verge of running off and nothing be felt in the tow-vehicle.

My bet is that you are experiencing a torque vibration from a faulty component in the tow-vehicle driveline.

There are many possibilities, U-joint, pinion-bearing, ring-gear-carrier bearing, slip-yoke, transmission mount, engine mount, wheel-bearing.

Just to eliminate the trailer as the problem, jack up each wheel and check for excessive play, a little looseness will not be felt in the truck.

Pull a different trailer and see if the problem still exists.

Vibrations are hard to find. </font>