Forum Discussion

stevenal's avatar
stevenal
Nomad II
May 11, 2020

vibration

Seems like boondocking is the way to go during covid. Went several miles on rough, washboard NFS roads to our campsite. Kept it in four wheel high until we were back on the highway after, then back to two high. The vibration was horrendous, feeling like things would shake apart at 30 mph. Stopped and checked treads for rocks, and found none. Rolled back a bit to ensure the automatic hubs unlocked, and proceeded home. Again, the vibration occurred. Not knowing what else to do, I pulled over once again and backed up. Afterward, 65 mph was nice and smooth. Anyone else experience anything like this? Doesn't seem like one or two locked hubs on a straight highway should be problem. Thanks.
Truck Campers
  • specta's avatar
    specta
    Explorer
    May 11, 2020
    I'd check for missing tire weight or a cord on one of the tires that possibly separated.
    I doubt that one locked axle would cause much of a vibration.
  • Lwiddis's avatar
    Lwiddis
    Explorer II
    May 11, 2020
    “The vibration was horrendous, feeling like things would shake apart at 30 mph.”

    Going 30 on a washboard road? Sounds foolish to me. Seems boondocking is the way to go? Gee, ok, if you absolutely cannot postpone the fun of camping any longer. I can.
  • K_Charles's avatar
    K_Charles
    Explorer
    May 12, 2020
    If the bearing in the hub (not the wheel bearing) starts to go bad it can stop it from unlocking. The bearing is bad and the shaft on that side can vibrate.
  • kohldad's avatar
    kohldad
    Explorer III
    May 12, 2020
    4WD System could have been bound up which didn't allow it to disengage the first time. Don't think the auto locking hubs on the Ford have changed much. If not they are basically the same as on my '92 and on more than one occasion I had to back up two or three times to get them to disengage.

    My question is why you had it engaged on a road that was dry enough and fast enough to be washboarded? Sounds like the road could easily have been done in 2wd. A dry dirt road will not provide enough slippage with a heavily loaded vehicle to allow for the differential in tire rotation during curves.
  • Grit_dog's avatar
    Grit_dog
    Navigator
    May 12, 2020
    You could drive that truck from here to Florida and back in 4wd without issue except when turning sharp on pavement. So even if the lockers stuck AND you left it in 4wd it wouldn't vibrate. But you took it out of 4wd so it doesn't matter if the hubs were locked or not.
    It drove smoothly at 65 so not a wheel bearing. They get worse with speed.
    Really doesn't make sense. But then again neither does 4wd with a camper in the back unless 2wd is prohibitive.
    Was it death wobble? Seems slow for DW, but other "issues" don't trypically fix themselves. And being a 2017, unless it has a bunch of miles, nothing should be close to wore out.
    Is a bit of a mystery.
  • specta's avatar
    specta
    Explorer
    May 12, 2020
    kohldad wrote:

    My question is why you had it engaged on a road that was dry enough and fast enough to be washboarded? Sounds like the road could easily have been done in 2wd. A dry dirt road will not provide enough slippage with a heavily loaded vehicle to allow for the differential in tire rotation during curves.


    Try using 4-wd drive one of these days on bad washboard roads, especially if there's and incline and you're understand why he used it.

    And a dirt road's lose surface will allow for plenty slippage while in 4-wd, regardless of load.
  • jimh406's avatar
    jimh406
    Explorer III
    May 12, 2020
    I’m not sure extreme vibration means the same to all of us.

    Any way, if it’s what I’m thinking, I don’t think it is related to the TC being on or the road being traveled. What happens if the 4x4 is engaged on normal roads? Is it easily going in/out of 4 wheel drive? How many miles are on the truck?

    Seems like it could be worn suspension components, transmission, or transfer case components. Good luck.

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