Trailer noise

Tsam

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Jun 28, 2011
30
S2 6.8 Long Lake, MN
On a six year old Karavan trailer for a 17 ft fishing boat, one eyed slipper springed and hinged tongue; on the road I hear an erratic low metallic rubbing noise that seems to vibrate through the car frame.
Checked springs-OK.
Checked hitch on car-solid.
Thinking it might be coming from hinged tongue.
anyone had a similar issue?
Thanks
 
Jul 23, 2019
100
Hunter 18.5 Revelstoke
I’d be concerned about wheel bearings too, try jacking it up and checking for play and give them a spin to feel for roughness as well as giving them a listen.
 
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Likes: George_NJ
Jan 19, 2010
12,565
Hobie 16 & Rhodes 22 Skeeter Charleston
After about 15 min drive, touch the hub with the palm of your hand. If one is noticably warmer than the other, you have bad bearings. When I am trailering my boat, I do the palm test after about 20 min and then again at every stop.
 

Tsam

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Jun 28, 2011
30
S2 6.8 Long Lake, MN
Thanks to all for the feedback about the bearings possibly being the source of noise. I have always thought bearings going bad generate more of a constant rumbling noise. This could be earlier stage issues.
Will check out the bearings and let you know.
 
Aug 1, 2011
3,972
Catalina 270 255 Wabamun. Welcome to the marina
And how about grease the ball and the springs What about the bushings in the spring hangars? Has this trailer had any maintenance or is it hook ‘er up and go?
 
Jun 2, 2004
3,554
Hunter 23.5 Fort Walton Yacht Club, Florida
I take care of a dozen or so trailers this size for you youth sailing program. Some are quiet and you forget the trailer is there others kinda rumble and vibrate the tow vehicle a couple will rattle you fillings out especially when empty. I'd change out the bearings or a least repack them, make sure the fasteners in the tounge are tight and all the other points in the frame and bunks are secure. Only other thing to do is make sure the alignment is correct but if the spring attachments are welded on nothing you can do there. To check the alignment take a measurement from each side of the axle to a point on the tounge, I like to use the inner ubolt on the axle to the center of the jaw on the coupler, doesn't matter what you use so long as it is the same on both sides. After that turn the radio up.

One more thing, take about 5 psi out of the tires see if that changes things the belts on the tires could be separating that'll make a similar vibration to a bearing. If the tires are more than five years old and you are making a long trip or going to be traveling more than 35 MPH replace them.

Now turn the radio up
 

RoyS

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Jun 3, 2012
1,742
Hunter 33 Steamboat Wharf, Hull, MA
Used to have a dog that wanted to chase empty boat trailers passing by. He did not raise an eyebrow when a loaded boat trailer passed but he heard something annoying when an empty one passed. He never did explain this obsession.
 
Jun 2, 2004
3,554
Hunter 23.5 Fort Walton Yacht Club, Florida
Used to have a dog that wanted to chase empty boat trailers passing by. He did not raise an eyebrow when a loaded boat trailer passed but he heard something annoying when an empty one passed. He never did explain this obsession.
Did he tell what he planned to do hen he caught one?
 
Jan 19, 2010
12,565
Hobie 16 & Rhodes 22 Skeeter Charleston
Used to have a dog that wanted to chase empty boat trailers passing by. He did not raise an eyebrow when a loaded boat trailer passed but he heard something annoying when an empty one passed. He never did explain this obsession.
Dogs are funny. My son's dog HATES the UPS van but doesn't seem bothered by the FedEx truck.