Mounting shocks on a TT

[R-N-R]

What are the ups and downs :-laf of installing shocks on a TT?



My stuff is always jumbled, and I typically have to re-hang my bathroom door after towing. Also, I mounted a receiver tube (tied to the I-Beams) for a ike carrier on the back, however the bikes get trashed and the back side of the trailer has been dented up pretty bad.



So, is mounting shocks on a TT feasible? Is it worth it?



TIA,

Bill

 

[keimmmo]

I tow a 26 foot Nash in and out of central Mexico. This is my smallest trailer in many years! Before this trailer I had a 32 foot Jayco and before it a 35 foot Holiday Rambler. Down here, shocks are not an option... they are a REQUIREMENT!!!



Not only do the shocks give a better ride inside the trailer, they reduce the chance of breaking springs. I changed 11 springs in the 10 years I owned the Holiday Rambler... most of them in the first few years I owned it!!! I eventually developed some suspension modifications that virtually eliminated the problem... including shocks on all 4 wheels. When I bought the Jayco, I jacked it up and did the modifications right away and NEVER had a problem! The Nash came from the factory with shocks, so I haven't done anything to it and haven't had any problems yet. That Nash is one well built trailer!!!



Besides shocks, radial tires with soft sidewalls really improve the ride quality of a travel trailer! Adjust the tire pressure to the load. Only use maximum pressure when needed to haul the weight. When not loaded heavily, lower the pressure so the tires aren't so hard. Let the tires absorb some of the bumps and not pass them on to the suspension and trailer!



Steve Keim

 

[R-N-R]

Steve,

Were those TT or 5vrs?

 

[wtfd6]

my 5er has them. we never have to move anything back where it belongs inside. im sure it would help tremendously.


mark

 

[Megadesertdiesel]

i have a 22' toy hauler and was thinking the same thing. any recomendations for shocks and placement?

 

[Bob V]

My Jayco 5th wheel has the mounts, but I can't find the right length shocks. Anyone know where to find them?

 

[Nate]

Measure the lenth and look at a shock chart. It will show the extended and compressed lengths for all the shocks they make. That's what I did for my Jeep. Rancho has a chart, Skyjacker does, etc.

 

[Grizzly]

What are the ups and downs :-laf of installing shocks on a TT?



My stuff is always jumbled, and I typically have to re-hang my bathroom door after towing. Also, I mounted a receiver tube (tied to the I-Beams) for a ike carrier on the back, however the bikes get trashed and the back side of the trailer has been dented up pretty bad.



So, is mounting shocks on a TT feasible? Is it worth it?



TIA,

Bill

Is your TT a tandem axle. When I had a 29' tandem axle 5th wheel, I was told that shocks were not necessary. I drug that Holiday Rambler 5er to Alaska and back in 1995 and had no problems with things getting bounced around. That Alcan Highway was pretty rough back then. As for your bathroom door, use larger screws.

 

[Midnight]

Try this site. http://www.monroeheavyduty.com/monroeHDdetail.asp?sec=prd&page=retrofit_kit

 

[keimmmo]

I have always towed travel trailers. I have never owned or towed a 5th wheel. I am told the 5th wheels tow better, but I need the topper and bed too much to give them up for a 5th wheel.



Every trailer I have owned was so different that I used different mounting systems on all of them. You have to mount the shocks where they will fit more than in ideal locations! I have always run fairly small diameter shocks... partly because of available space and partly because I just don't think the big diameter heavy duty shocks were needed on any of my trailers.



Steve Keim

 

[Grizzly]

I have always towed travel trailers. I have never owned or towed a 5th wheel. I am told the 5th wheels tow better, but I need the topper and bed too much to give them up for a 5th wheel.



Every trailer I have owned was so different that I used different mounting systems on all of them. You have to mount the shocks where they will fit more than in ideal locations! I have always run fairly small diameter shocks... partly because of available space and partly because I just don't think the big diameter heavy duty shocks were needed on any of my trailers.



Steve Keim

The many benefits of a 5th wheel, such as stability, far out weigh having a topper and the rest of the bed.

 

[wtfd6]

who needs a bed when you can pull a second enclosed trailer for everything else. it is really handy. :-laf


mark

 

[Sojourner]

I've talked to a number of reasonably knowledgeable folks over the years regarding the shock absorber vs. ride issue of TTs (both 5ers and BP) and from what I've gathered is that shock absorbers only do any real good when used on an air suspension to prevent oscillation. The old fellow in E. Texas who is the Silver Streak expert even told me to "take 'em off - forget about 'em!" The rough ride is caused by the equalizer arm arrangement on tandem and triple axles which tie the axles together. My old Airstreams with the independent rubber torsion suspension have always ridden very smooth even with worn out shocks (unbalanced wheels cause problems in Airstreams). The suspension on my 5er with the standard equalizer arm setup rides as rough as can be. The solution is something like the Morryde or the Trailair Centerpoint which I'm going to install. The Trailair Centerpoint costs $1,100 shipped and takes four hours to install.



HTH

 

[Buffalo]

MBigley,



I was able to get everything I needed to install shocks on my old 19-5' AF/Nash trailer at Auto Safety House, 2630 W. Buckeye Rd. , Phoenix. I wouldn't have a trailer without shocks after seeing the before & after on that trailer.



Joe F. (Buffalo)

 

[keimmmo]

I agree with Buffalo. Having seen the before and after on not only my personal trailers, but those of several friends I have helped install shocks, I wouldn't want a trailer without shocks! If you talk to spring "experts", they will tell you the major cause of broken springs on ANY vehicle is worn out or missing shocks. I would rather put on shocks in my shop than change a spring along side the road any day!!! I HAVE done both!!!



You guys who recommend buying a 5th wheel because I really don't need the bed of my truck do not realize how I use my truck! If you have a system that works for you, I'm glad for you. However, a 5th wheel IS NOT an option for ME!



Steve Keim

 

[nps]

You guys who recommend buying a 5th wheel because I really don't need the bed of my truck do not realize how I use my truck! If you have a system that works for you, I'm glad for you. However, a 5th wheel IS NOT an option for ME!

Steve Keim

I'm with you on this one Steve. Seems though that if you are one that pulls a 5er, then you think everyone else should have one too instead of an 'inferior' bumper pull.

 

[R-N-R]

5vrs are good, and I will give them ease of hooking up. However the Hensley seriously equalizes the towability factors. I just prefer the use of my truck bed and the TT floor plan I found.

 

[SBettencourt]

I'm with you on this one Steve. Seems though that if you are one that pulls a 5er, then you think everyone else should have one too instead of an 'inferior' bumper pull.

I have a 5er and I think you should tow what you want. My 5er works great for me for many reasons and a big one is where I have to store it... gives me easier access to my back yard. Sometimes I wish I could have a cap on my truck to carry stuff but the 5er is more important for me.

I installed shocks on my Dutchmen and stuff seems to be "less jumbled" upon arrival but...

I noticed my 3500 tows much smoother than my 1500 and the stuff in the trailer moves even less even on the rougher roads.