Tab 400 rocking

TokyoPhil

Is it normal for the Tab 400 to rock forward and backward over the axle while driving? This creates a slowing and surging feeling while driving. I’m starting to feel a little seasick

manyman297

I’m not sure how it could pivot on the axle if it’s hitched. Your brake controller may not be dialed in (trailer isn’t braking hard enough) allowing the tab to push the TV forward a little during braking (and then pull it back as you stop). That’s the only thing that comes to mind.

Sharon_is_SAM

I wonder if you need a hitch tightener?  Do you hear a noise?  

TokyoPhil

I don’t hear any noise and I’m still experimenting with the brake controller a little. Seems like the trailer pushes down and pulls up on the hitch at low speeds. Of course, Denver city streets are notoriously bad

bergger

What is your tow vehicle?  Also make sure you have a 2" ball and not a 1 7/8".  Some movement of the trailer is normal which can be telegraphed to your tow vehicle.  The smaller and lighter the vehicle most likely the more pronounced the movement will be.  I tow with a full size truck and it is more stable than when I towed with our midsize truck.  

TokyoPhil

The brake controller may have been acting up a bit. The connector was dirty and the pins were a little misaligned. Seems somewhat better now. Part of it is certainly towing with a Tacoma. I can definitely feel the trailer behind me. 

Marceline

Are you sure you have the ball at the correct height? 

gkreitzburg

Like @Marceline said, your hitch is likely too low. I had that feeling -- bought a drop hitch before picking up the trailer, and the highest setting was too low. I was able to flip mine over and get the right height.

tabiphile

"Don't come knockin".
What year is your Taco and how many miles are on it? You may have (in addition to an incorrect hitch height) a soggy bottom. Older Tacos tend to need beefed up shocks for towing. Some folks add helper springs or air bag kits when they tow with these fairly light trucks. The heavier the tow, the more it will be felt in the vehicle and especially at slower speeds if you are driving gingerly. If you get out on the highway and get up to speed, does the surge go away? It should. If so, driving a bit more aggressively might help. 
Or, have you ever had a desire to upgrade to a Tundra??? It might be time.

bergger

@tabiphile makes a good point with the rear suspension of the Tacomas.  As someone who has owned 3 Tacomas they are notorious for soft rear springs.  When Towing with a Tacoma a set of Sumo springs usually helps a lot and they are very simple to install. 

manyman297

Ditto on the soft springs. I had to install sumo springs to keep the backend from sagging. I have the Off Road variant that has a soft suspension to begin with. Get the camper level with the TV and install some sumo springs. It’s been working for us for 3 years now.

Blueespy

Check the pressure in your trailer tires.  We have towed our t@b400 BDL with a jeep grand cherokee (has auto leveling air bags) and a Ford F150.  On both we used a hitch tightener.  Have to echo other posts, confirm right ball size, rear shocks on tow vehicle, I would also check tire pressure as over inflation could be an issue.  Lastly, are you under the recommended tongue weight?

Maxcamp

Tacoma specific response:
On our 2023 tacoma sr5 have not experienced your surging.  However...

3rd Gen Tacoma leaf springs are flat with little load.  Sumo bump stops worked on my old truck but this one gave up with same setup.  I just installed Firestone air springs which are proving great for varied loads.  (Town vs building supplies vs heavy camp mode.)  A stroke or two with bike pump is all it takes to adjust them.

I flipped a 2.5 inch drop hitch and reversed ball vertically, to create 1.5 inch raise for level-towing our 320s.

Hope you can stabilize your setup!

tabiphile

It's probably worth pointing out that you can generally tell if you need a hitch tightener... you can actually hear the lash as the hitch shifts if there is play back there. It makes quite a lot of racket shucking around.