2024 Tundra shakes while towing trailer around 55-60 mph

I have a 2024, Tundra, 1794, TRD package with 6.5ft bed. I recently towed a 12ft, tandem, utility trailer with a Polaris 400 Sportsman ATV on it. I was in normal drive mode with tow haul on, with the adaptive cruise control on also. I was experiencing a shake of the steering wheel & seat, very similar to tires out of balance, but more extreme, at speeds between 55-60 mph. I tried switching off the tow haul & cruise control but that didn't help. I tried switching to sport & eco mode but that didn't help either. It did not seem to do it towing just the trailer but only with the ATV in the trailer. Truck did not shake at those speeds while not towing anything. Has anyone out there experienced anything like this?

 

There is another thread here where someone complained of the same thing. Don’t believe he ever posted a resolution.

 

OK, thanks.

 

https://www.tundras.com/threads/vibration-shudder-while-towing….127296/

 

Does the shuddering happen while braking by chance?

I ask because a few weeks ago I was using adaptive cruise control going down a long winding mountain pass when I got stuck behind a slower moving truck. The adaptive cruise was on and off the brakes much more aggressively than I would brake. Towards the bottom of the pass the brakes got too hot and would shudder and shake the whole truck. Fortunately, the shudder went away when the brakes cooled down. I've avoided using the adaptive cruise in those situations ever since, and the shudder has never returned.

Matt

 

Both trucks have a 6.5' bed, which i came in there kind of expecting.

F150's with the supercrew cab and 6.5' have been known to have a shudder under load like that and it has to do with the rear drive shaft length and it causing what is essentially light wheelhop.

As for what to do about it, I have no idea, but I suspect that is what it might be.

 

Does not happen while braking. It was actually happening during normal acceleration. I am familiar with what happened in your situation as that has happened to me years ago in a different vehicle.

 

mass-hole: Thanks for your input.

 

Dang - three threads on here about this issue and all of them 6.5’ bed CrewMax. Wish Toyota would get their shit together.

 

I think you are jumping to conclusions here. Lots of variables with towing, most notably the trailer itself and it's loading. It's true that it could be an issue with the truck, but I would bet its the trailer where the shake is coming from (not the truck). Not enough tongue-weight in particular will lead to instability. Too much tongue weight could do the same. An overloaded trailer or a trailer with suspension issues would also do it.

OP ... How was the ATV loaded (front or rear heavy) and did you try to adjust positioning? Any idea on tongue weight? Any WDH or stabilization on the rig?

 

There are variables - but what are the chances the three complaints have the exact same wheelbase / driveline combo and are getting shudder under load with super light trailers…

I could see sway being a “user” issue but shudder under acceleration?

 

Thank you all for the input. I think you could be right that it is the trailer and maybe the way it was loaded. The ATV was loaded all the way upfront so most of the weight was on the tongue, however the back of the truck only went down about 1.5-2 inches. Maybe next time I will load it directly over the two axels. The trailer is almost brand new with very light use. No issues pulling trailer with my Suburban. I will have to experiment. I am just a little disappointed that this is happening with a brand new truck. This shouldn't be happening. I will keep checking posts and experimenting.

 

@RickyG lots of reading out there for about tongue-weight and trailer loading/capacity. Here is just ONE source of info: https://www.etrailer.com/faq-how-to-determine-trailer-tongue-weight.aspx I suggest a little additional reading.

Aim for 10 to 15 % on the tongue, which probably means ATV slightly forward. Placing exactly in the middle (or further back) will probably be too light on the tongue. I bet it was a loading issue and that you get it sorted out.

Of course it is still possible there is some issue with the truck or the trailer. Any chance you know somebody with a different trailer you can try? Likewise, can you try with a different truck/tow-vehicle? Also, I assume you are nowhere close to the load rating for the trailer, but I would definitely confirm that.

EDIT: I see it ran fine with a different vehicle, so yeah, that's odd.

Things really should run smooth for you. Good luck.

PS: Trailering is a little like driving in the snow. Stability comes with a soft touch on accelerator, brakes, and steering. Experience builds confidence. Also, while sorting this out, whenever you get a shudder/sway, let off the gas/brakes let the rig slow down.

 

There are certain patches of highway where the road service is concrete that are not perfectly flat that set up a harmonic in the suspension at certain speeds (55-75 mph) that shakes everything. Slow down and its intensity drops quickly. The surface is in effect washboarded like a gravel road but not as pronounced. I would say this is similar to possibly what you are experiencing. I have a DC with 6.5 bed so the wheelbase is comparable to a crew max with a short bed. I experienced this in my 2012 DC but at slightly different speeds.

 

I had this in my 02’ Tacoma access cab on a few known section of roadway.