Shaking/Shuddering while towing trailer
Hi, I have a 2012 Honda Odyssey. I have a Class 3 hitch installed, and am pulling a 2800 pound, 17' Viking trailer. I use a Weight Distributing Hitch with Sway Control (550 pound rated), and also have...
Forum Discussion
Is the TV a rear wheel drive? Your symptoms sound a lot like driveline shudder caused by the rear differential pinion angle being off from the added weight on the hitch.
IOf so, then the first thing to do is check the TW to make sure that you are not overloading the TVs specs for hitch weight.
On some vehicles it may not be realistically possible to eliminate driveling shudder completely.
My TV does it briefly when loaded down and accelerating from a stop. Many Ford and Dodge owners report the same.
What is happening is that when there is a good load, the pinion angle changes under acceleration, and the u joints get out of phase causing a vibration. Some fixes that have worked are air bags, stiffer springs, traction bars, and pinion shims. A custom driveline (expensive) with one or more CV joints will likely always solve it, but because of the cost, and sometimes room considerations is the least common fix.
IOf so, then the first thing to do is check the TW to make sure that you are not overloading the TVs specs for hitch weight.
On some vehicles it may not be realistically possible to eliminate driveling shudder completely.
My TV does it briefly when loaded down and accelerating from a stop. Many Ford and Dodge owners report the same.
What is happening is that when there is a good load, the pinion angle changes under acceleration, and the u joints get out of phase causing a vibration. Some fixes that have worked are air bags, stiffer springs, traction bars, and pinion shims. A custom driveline (expensive) with one or more CV joints will likely always solve it, but because of the cost, and sometimes room considerations is the least common fix.
