TrailManor Owner's Forum  

Go Back   TrailManor Owner's Forum > TrailManor Technical Discussions > Towing and Hitching
Register FAQ Members List Calendar

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 03-03-2014, 06:47 AM   #1
woodlandcottage
Site Sponsor
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 31
Default Highlander chugging while towing?

We've never towed anything before and it's been too long to remember what it felt like when my dad towed stuff but something strikes me as not right.
We brought our new TM(2619) home on Saturday with our 2013 Toyota Highlander(V6, 4WD, w/tow package). We drove normally(not 4wd mode) and there was a subtle chugging feel. Maybe I'm just super sensitive, but I can't imagine that's normal when so many people say they don't even "feel" like they are towing something.
We know we haven't exceeded our towing capacity(5000#)so I don't see any reason that the Highlander would struggle. That's what it felt like. :/
We are using an adjustable ball mount 23" from the ground. The trailer is nice and even with the tow vehicle.
Any suggestions?
woodlandcottage is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-03-2014, 08:06 AM   #2
Redtail Cruiser
TrailManor Master
 
Redtail Cruiser's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: North San Diego County (Fallbrook)
Posts: 632
Default

When did you feel the "chugging" ? Was it pulling a grade or on flat roadway? If it was only when pulling a grade, then that probably is normal for your vehicle. It will be more noticeable when your loaded up for a camping trip. Be sure to get a WDH, if you don't already have one.
__________________
Tim




"A man creates his own legacy. Create a legendary life"
Redtail Cruiser is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-03-2014, 08:57 AM   #3
Bill
Site Team
 
Bill's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: The mountains of Scottsdale, AZ, and the beaches of Maine
Posts: 10,105
Default

I'm not sure I know what "chugging" is, or feels like. But there is a phenomenon called "chucking" that is manifested as a subtle back-and-forth or up-and-down motion of the tow vehicle. If I recall correctly, it happens when you are driving on a concrete road (not asphalt) where the center of each slab drooped a little as the concrete dried. This subtle "swooping" of the road surface can set up a rhytmic motion of your rig as you drive. Does your chugging go away when you reduce your speed, or drive on an asphalt road?

This has been discussed a few times on this board. Start with these threads, or do a Search on "chucking".

http://www.trailmanorowners.com/foru...ead.php?t=3427
http://www.trailmanorowners.com/foru...ad.php?t=13202

I hope that "chugging" does not refer to a situation in which the engine is running at very low RPM - what we used to call "lugging". An automatic transmission should prevent that, presuming your tranny is an automatic and not a manual.

Bill
__________________
2020 2720QS (aka 2720SL)
2014 Ford F-150 4WD 5.0L
Bill's Tech Stuff album
Bill is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-03-2014, 09:28 AM   #4
tentcamper
TrailManor Master
 
tentcamper's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Somerset, OH
Posts: 1,868
Default

"So many people say they don't even "feel" like they are towing something" Any time you tow something you feel secondary bounces from the trailer as the trailer axle hits a bump. The phrase "I don't feel like they are towing something", is more in reference to handling, with larger TV's something acceleration and stopping, but not the secondary bounce. Most TV's you will have to accelerate slower and stopping with brakes adjusted at slow speeds will be about normal, but at higher speeds the distance will increase.

A WDH will decrease the secondary bounce feeling because the camper will use the shocks and struts of the TV. But you will still feel the bounce.

Also, the hitch sound like it might be high. The trailer should be level or slightly lower, up to 1 inch lower at the tongue.
__________________
Art & Joyce
Current camper: Motor Home
Previous: 2009, 3023-QB and 2003 2720
tentcamper is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-03-2014, 09:47 AM   #5
MarkoPolo
TrailManor Master
 
MarkoPolo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Greeley, Colorado
Posts: 314
Default

If it is "chucking" the Andersen No Sway WDH is superb at stopping that as well re-distributing weight.
__________________
Mark & Claudia - Greeley, Colorado
2016 Lance model 1995
2013 Ford Lariat F-150 Super Crew Eco-boost with 4x4 Off Road & Max Tow
MarkoPolo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-03-2014, 10:40 AM   #6
tentcamper
TrailManor Master
 
tentcamper's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Somerset, OH
Posts: 1,868
Default

It is normal to feel and hear some of clunking from bumps. There is a little play in the ball/hitch connection. Also there is a little play in the hitch receiver 2" tube. As you hit the bumps and de-accelerate you will feel hear this. Also, some of it might be the brake controller not being adjusted it you got the clunking when braking and there is a very slight delay from the brakes.

You most likely don't need a WDH. But one of the advantage of a WDH is it keep a consent force on the hitch ball and the 2" receiver tube. You don't hear as much noise with a WDH. After you drive a hundred miles you will not notice it without a WDH. But when when spring comes each year you will notice the first out. If you op for a WDH all of them will resolve a lot of the clunking. But look for one rated in the range of your tongue weight. We just got the reese pro 600

Our first time out this year without a WDH. The DW was asking if everything was right because she had forgot the noise and feeling. But after a hundred miles or so she remembered it.
__________________
Art & Joyce
Current camper: Motor Home
Previous: 2009, 3023-QB and 2003 2720
tentcamper is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-03-2014, 09:44 AM   #7
woodlandcottage
Site Sponsor
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 31
Default

It was only a 16 mile trip home but it is uphill on the way home, and very mild uphill at that. But it seemed to chug as we coasted downhill too, but that could have something to do with the electric brake control being too high???
We don't have a weight distributing hitch, the dealer said it wasn't necessary and I see a lot of people online say they aren't necessary either. Why exactly are you recommending one?
I've been on plenty of concrete slab roads and I know what they feel like. I also know how smoothly our Highlander takes the same roads we came home on when not towing. They are standard roads but I suppose if there have been a lot of repaired cracks from ice and snow plow damage it could cause the same kind of concrete slab seam chucking?
It seemed to improve when we were accelerating hard or at a faster speed(50mph+). It is only subtle, not herky jerky like the linked threads seem to be talking about. More like a seasick kind of feeling.
I just wanted to find out if that was normal when towing.
woodlandcottage is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-09-2014, 09:57 AM   #8
Mr. Adventure
TrailManor Master
 
Mr. Adventure's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Williamsburg, VA
Posts: 668
Default Towing with a Highlander

- A weight distributing hitch actually applies less weight on the tow vehicle mounting points than a standard hitch does (I have the calculations, if anyone is interested).
- All tow vehicles carry a tongue load better with a WDH than without. The WDH makes better use of available axle capacities.
- Almost everyone needs a Weight Distributing Hitch. A 400# trailer tongue weight without a WDH easily becomes a 700# rear axle weight and a 300# unloading of your front wheels. Many of us would exceed gross weight limits with 700 extra pounds on the rear axle in addition to other loads.
- Load up and go to the truck scale, get the real numbers, look at the gross axle weight ratings on your drivers' side door post and then you'll know exactly how you're doing. My own numbers on the truck scale are here: http://www.trailmanorowners.com/foru...ad.php?t=10652
- Everyone should calculate their tow capacity in accordance with their owners' manuals, drivers' side doorpost labels, and tire ratings.
- People can be careless about towing opinions without having applicable towing experience.
- Both unibodies and truck frames have rated hitch capacities, which depend upon on proper mounting points, not the kind of frame a vehicle has. Trailer hitches today are always bolted to manufacturer supplied hitch mounting points. Nobody should be drilling new holes in frames to mount trailer hitches anymore.
- The WDH bar ratings are based on what might be needed for maximum tongue weight distributions. Bigger numbers probably provide a little stiffer ride in the TV, but the worst loads on the hitch mounting points are substantially higher than loads applied by the bars.
__________________
2005 TrailManor 3023
2003 Toyota Highlander 220hp V6 FWD
Reese 1000# round bar Weight Distributing Hitch
Prodigy brake controller.

"It's not how fast you can go, it's how fast you can stop an RV that counts."
Mr. Adventure is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-09-2014, 06:21 PM   #9
woodlandcottage
Site Sponsor
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 31
Default

Ok, we took the TM out this weekend, about 100 mile round trip. I noticed very little chugging this time. We were on different roads and the lighting was much better. I could easily see how small dips and changes in road texture were creating a triple wave feeling as each axle hit those spots. Maybe that's all
I was feeling. However, I promised hitch height pics so here they are:


I can see more research on the WDH is warranted. I'm not even close to understanding how they work and how it would help us. I'm trying really hard though. Thanks so much for trying to educate me about this stuff! I'm paying attention, honest. We don't want to tow stupid.
woodlandcottage is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 2 (0 members and 2 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Towing 2720SD with 2006 Highlander Hybrid dougmarlow Towing and Hitching 7 06-03-2012 11:59 PM
V6 and/or V8 towing with Highlander, 4Runner, or Pilot Sync-n-Sub Towing and Hitching 16 07-22-2008 03:51 PM
Towing with a Highlander SUV EddieOh Towing and Hitching 12 07-07-2008 06:05 AM
Towing with a 2008 Highlander roned2 Towing and Hitching 2 03-10-2008 04:01 PM
Potential buyer of TM with 2002 Highlander w/V6 and towing package InALaska Prospective Owner Questions 11 08-19-2005 10:27 AM


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 04:06 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Copyright 2022 Trailmanor Owners Page.