When I am pulling my boat I am getting a jerking/tugging motion from the truck. You can feel it pretty good and is more noticeable at lower speeds, 30-40 mph. The boat isn't that big, 19 foot Checkmate. The trailer sits pretty level and I have a towing package with a Reese hitch. Anybody have any ideas what might be causing this or how to stop it?? Thanks.

 

some vehicle info would be awesome. we cant help you if we have no idea what you are working with. also a little insight on the trucks condition and level of maintenance as well as the amount of weight you are pulling.

 

The truck is a 2007 XLT with the 5.4. Like I mentioned it does have the towing package. It is in really good condition, no mechanical problems that I am aware of... 42,000 miles. As far as what the boat and trailer weigh? I am not really sure, never had it weighed but it is a 19 foot fiberglass boat with a 175hp Mercury outboard and a steel trailer. I would guess it is well with the towing capacity of the truck.

 

turn your overdrive off

 

Yeah turn overdrive off, and then like anything if you are towing weight it's going to jerk. I pull a 23" Sea Ray Select and there is jerking motion as well, just something that comes along with towing.

 

I'll try that overdrive thing. The thing that kind of gets me is that I used to pull the same trailer and boat with my 2001 Ranger and it never jerked at all. Seems like it would be smoother with the bigger truck, more capacity and more power.

 

You can also try to have a smoother take off.. really ease into the gas that way your not pulling from a standstill to sudden movement.

 

does the boat trailer have surge brakes?

 

Nope, there are no brakes on the trailer.

 

i used to have a 19ft aluminum bass tracker i would tow. with overdrive on, it jerks. with it off, perfect towing. trust me, press the button and turn it off.

if towing on the hwy u can turn it back on once you reached hwy speeds. if you need to slow down or speed up, turn it back off.