Rear shock advice needed...

[mconstable]

Thanks in advance for any help...

Need rear shocks for the truck in my sig... I tow a fifth-wheel with a heavy tongue, need sturdy shocks, ride quality isn't as important as support for the trailer.

 

[ringneck]

mybe airbags would be better.

 

[mconstable]

mybe airbags would be better.

I have Timbrens... rear shocks are shot, looking for advice on new ones.



Thanks though

 

[mitchC]

I have a 07 with the 6. 7 had heavy shocks put under the rear from les schwab and it rides terrible empty am waiting to go with some bilstiens from Geno's. I also have air bags, with them deflated the shocks are just too stiff.

Mitch

 

[ENafziger]

ride quality isn't as important as support for the trailer. <!-- google_ad_section_end -->

I presume you understand that shocks can't effectively be used to prevent sagging, right?

If you're looking for a heavy duty shock to control bouncing/sway/etc when towing heavy, I'd look at the bilstein line that can be valved to accomodate.

How much are you wanting to spend?

The Bilstein 7100s can be had for a reasonable price (~400/pair), and are completely user adjustable for valving. I'd call carli and get advice on valving, or purchase an off the shelf with about 360/80 valving.

--Eric

 

[rbeyer]

I have Rancho's with the in-cab remote control unit. This unit permits adjusting the front and rear shocks with the push of a button - one button for increasing the pressure and separate buttons for reducing the front and rear shocks. And, you do not have to have hard shocks all of the time.

I've had these shocks for about 18 months. I like the shocks and the system. I have had slow leakage, presently only with the front shocks which necessitates watching the gauge while on the road and making periodic adjustments. We haven't been able to locate the source of the leak as yet.

In terms of pin weight, I think our 5th wheel's pin weight is just over 2200 pounds. And, I've never gone to the top 3 stiffness settings for the shocks.

 

[Jack in Alaska]

My 18 month old, 20k miles Bilsteins are not doing a very good job on the rear w/o any load. They seem to let the wheels bounce and slip on any sharp bumps. Maybe I am expecting too much.

 

[SWithrow]

Airbags, easy to install and you can add on board(air compressor) or have manual fill. More bang for your buck. Also the bags do not mess with the alignment or ride height when they are aired down.

 

[mconstable]

Thanks for the help guys... unfortunately my budget is limiting me to either The Bilstein yellow/blues or the silver/blacks... any advice on which to get?

Thanks!

 

[HBarlow]

A new set of plain yellow and blue Bilsteins from Geno's along with your Timbrens or air bags will minimize your problem. (Been there, done that) They won't make it perfect though.

Unfortunately, the rear springs on '06 Ram 3500s were designed for a pleasant ride when unloaded. They simply are not capable of supporting the heavy kingpin weight of a big fifth wheel as the miles accumulate. They are particularly inadequate when the truck and trailer drop down in and rebound out of an interstate highway dip.

I had Timbrens, Bilsteins, and ultimately an extra leaf added to the rear springs on my '06 which was used extensively to transport heavy trailers commercially. In fairness to Dodge I was often loaded very heavy. With the combination above my truck handled great when loaded, a little choppy when empty.

 

[Diesel Dan]

Mconstable,

I have a pair if Fox 2. 0 race shocks w/ remote reseviors w/less than 5k miles that are valved firm from Kore. These would do agreat job of firming up the back of the truck. I will sell them for $175 including shipping if interested.



PM me if you need any more info or pics.



DD

 

[Lorenz]

^^ Those Fox's might be your best bet if they're in good condition. Put some elbow grease into them and revalve them at home. I can provide some guidance free of charge.

If they're leaking you may just need new seals, $15 a shock or so, if the shafts aren't pitted. Shafts are fairly cheap as well. This is the good thing about race quality shocks, you can rebuild them and make them work for your individual application.

 

[Bob4x4]

Hey Dan,

Are you upgrading your truck to keep up with the new paint?

 

[Diesel Dan]

Bob,

Even a carli Dominator 3. 25 system couldn't keep up with the new paint:-laf



these are an xtra pair that i had in the garage that are valved too stiff for me considering that i don't tow much. (2500lb ATV trailer)So i thought i would try to help this guy out.





Sean, Thanks for offering expertice/services



DD

 

[BIGNASTY]

shocks

I installed Rancho RS 5000 on 04. 5 CCLB along with Firestone air bags on board compressor. I pull 29 ft TT with just about 10 pounds of air in the bags. Also have load levelers (that wont help you on your 5er) as for the air bags real nice to have I had a whole elk in the back of the truck and all I did was air the bags up just have to think that just because the bags can take it dont overload the truck its the bearings in the axle that holding the weight BIG

 

[Diesel Dan]

Here is a pic of the shocks when new. Unfortunatley, the winter de-icing has taken off some of the pretty finish of my shocks.



DD

 

[steved]

Airbags, easy to install and you can add on board(air compressor) or have manual fill. More bang for your buck. Also the bags do not mess with the alignment or ride height when they are aired down.

If he's trying to get control, airbags will most likely make it worse... when the shocks are overcome, the bags cause a "pogo stick" effect. It takes a very stiff shock to control it.



I installed airbags to prevent a side to side rocking from a slide-in camper (annoying, not dangerous), and they worked fine for that. But put a decent amount of weight in the bed and the back will bounce up and down over larger bumps (a lot worse than without the bags).



This is one instance that a dual shock mount (to stay with a factory-type shock) or the Fox's may help, or a bigger truck.

 

[SWithrow]

If he's trying to get control, airbags will most likely make it worse... when the shocks are overcome, the bags cause a "pogo stick" effect. It takes a very stiff shock to control it.



I installed airbags to prevent a side to side rocking from a slide-in camper (annoying, not dangerous), and they worked fine for that. But put a decent amount of weight in the bed and the back will bounce up and down over larger bumps (a lot worse than without the bags).



This is one instance that a dual shock mount (to stay with a factory-type shock) or the Fox's may help, or a bigger truck.

They will cause a bounce if you max them out with air. I measure my hitch before i connect my trailer then fill the bags up to the same height (average is 45-50 psi in the air bags) the truck rides smooth, no bounce and side to side is reduced a great deal.

 

[steved]

They will cause a bounce if you max them out with air. I measure my hitch before i connect my trailer then fill the bags up to the same height (average is 45-50 psi in the air bags) the truck rides smooth, no bounce and side to side is reduced a great deal.

They don't need max'd out to cause bounce... and if you hit a roller, it will oscillate more than without bags.



I've put over 100k on a set of ride-rites... in almost every condition. And the only time they don't have as much bounce is on fresh shocks.

 

[Bob4x4]

This is the ultimate set up. Custom valved King 3" remote resevoir shocks full leaf pack and Carli Long travel air bags



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It rides like a cadilac but has the control of a Ferrari