Trailmaster SSV Shocks

[Cooker]

I am thinking I might try a set of these shocks on my truck. The owner of the accessories shop (who has now become a freind of mine) has been recommending these things to me. In his opinion the Bilsteins are one of the best shocks for the $$$, but he sad at 1/2 the cost the Trailmaster SSV's cannot be beat.



I trust his opinion, but has anybody ever tried these? The carry a lifetime, no questions asked, warranty.



I have read all the threads about everybody's favorite shocks, but I have never read about the Trailmasters. Either they are junk or nobody has tried them



Thanks for the input,

Ryan

 

[boonsur]

anybody???

I am also looking for new shocks. While I was in a truck accessories store, I asked about their pricing on Rancho 9000's. The salesman quickly turned me on to the Trailmaster "SSV" series shocks. His sales pitch was very convincing. Sounds like they can't be beat, especially for performance/value/reliability. I am ready to buy, but I'd really like to hear from someone who has experience with a set of these. In a search, I found only one testimonial, and I'm not sure if that was with the newer SSV series.



Any opinions? Is Trailmaster a reputable company (do they have experience with heavy duty trucks) (would it be worth a gamble)?

 

[KatDiesel]

Did you ever try these?

 

[Cooker]

I still haven't put a set of shocks on yet. Waiting for warmer weather (and $$$) at the moment.



"bowhunter" has SSV's on his truck and is very happy with them.

 

[Mr. Brewski]

I had a set on my old '89 K2500 chebby - I took the stock shocks off after 150K miles and put the SSV's on. Very good ride, and much better control on the washboard logging roads around here. In comparison to the Rancho RS5000's I put on my old K5 Blazer, the SSV's had just as good of control (Dampening) with a much better ride. I'm not sure but I think the SSV's are "Self Adjusting" whatever that means. I will replace the stock Dodge dampers with SSV's when I get around to it.



BTW - the Chebby was stock height, with 265 75R 16" mud tires. Load Range "E"

 

[KatDiesel]

Anyone else?

 

[Blackcloud]

I'm here,I'm here. Sorry I was taking a nap. I have SSV shocks on my 96 3500 4x4 and am extremely happy with them. I had Rancho adjustables on my last truck( 94 2500 4x4) and was honestly not impressed with the ride quality they gave even on the lightest setting (or firm for that matter). The SSV shocks seem to always just be there and control things the way a shock should. Loaded or empty I am happy with the results they have given me. Plus I don't have to crawl under the truck every time the load in my truck is changed. I have had these shocks on for 20,000 miles and the ride is still great (not that 20k is that much). The only drawback is that in the "harsh" Wisconsin winter(ie. road salt) the body of the shock is rusting and looks bad. I am pleased with them,you will be also.

 

[KatDiesel]

Anyone else tried these yet?



I'm thinking I'll try a set here soon.

 

[Greg Boardman-RIP]

Just to let a little info in on the subject of Shocks. I did some work for the guy who owns Menroe Shock absorbers. He said his company makes over fourty name brands of shock. Some of those brands include: Rancho, Pro Comp, Tuff Country, Heckthorn, Trailmaster, and about every line for your local parts store. I was told you get what you pay for... ... ... Buy the Rancho's, They are the best shock this company makes. If you don't want the adjustability of the 9000's. Get the RTX's. 5000's

are for serious off-road use and we would need to run 2 on each corner because of weight. They are very stiff. There were three companys that made their own; Bilstien, Edlebrock, and KYB...

He gave me a set of Rancho Lightning rods. $1000 bucks a piece. Fully rebuildable, 30" travel. I know this was the man.



Greg

 

[Lnwing]

Trailmaster SSV

Has the Trailmaster SSV been upgraded in the past few years?

I replaced the original shocks on my 95 4X4 in late 97 with Trailmasters. Was pleased with the ride, but it deteriorated quickly after 7-8,000 miles. Front shocks were the worst. Took them off to check them and one had a 2" dead spot where there was no control at all.

Went to Edelbrock, then RS 9000.

 

[KatDiesel]

Originally posted by Greg Boardman

Buy the Rancho's, They are the best shock this company makes. If you don't want the adjustability of the 9000's. Get the RTX's. 5000's

are for serious off-road use and we would need to run 2 on each corner because of weight. They are very stiff. There were three companys that made their own; Bilstien, Edlebrock, and KYB...

Thanks, I already have Rancho 9000's, looking for something different.

 

[Cooker]

I bought a set of SSV's, but haven't had a chance to install them yet. I hope to have them on by next weekend.

 

[KatDiesel]

Originally posted by Cooker

I bought a set of SSV's, but haven't had a chance to install them yet. I hope to have them on by next weekend.

Can I ask what you paid for them? Just curious. Also please post your impressions when you get them on. I'm just looking to try somethin different on my truck is all.

 

[RobG]

I have RS9000's on my truck and I'm seriously considering ditching 'em for Bilsteins. If anybody has Bilsteins (on a 4x4) and wants to swap, email me.



Rob

 

[Cooker]

Originally posted by KatDiesel





Can I ask what you paid for them? Just curious. Also please post your impressions when you get them on. I'm just looking to try somethin different on my truck is all.

The total for all four shcoks was $184 (out the door). Not close to 1/2 the price of the group purchase Bilsteins, but at the time of my original post the Bilsteins were in the $70 range. I will definitely post when I get them installed Thursday/Friday.

 

[McDaniel]

I've been running SSV's for about 38,000 miles now and am very satisfied with the performance. I have about 3 inches of lift and 35" BFG's, the ride is still nice.



After Lnwing's post I pulled my fronts and was pleased to find no dead spots.



Btw I paid around $165 here in the St. Louis area



Ross

 

[d90boy]

I had SSVs a long time ago on my off roader then switched to Rancho 9000s and thought they were much better. I also had 9000s on the dodge. Then I went to Fox Shox and Bilstein 7100s on the 'wheeler and put Bilsteins on the dodge and will never go back. You really get what you pay for the difference is amazing.

 

[KatDiesel]

Originally posted by Cooker

I will definitely post when I get them installed Thursday/Friday.

You ever get these on?

 

[Cooker]

Yep. I have had them on for a little over a month now. I was hesitant to post at first because I wanted to put a few miles on them to get a better impression. Now after some miles I feel like I can give a better review.



As far as overall ride quality, I believe this issue to be a little subjective, so what I consider a good ride or improvement another individual may not, and vice versa. With that said I can't say I notice too much of a difference in ride quality. While driving down the city streets and down the highway, other than handling, the truck rides very similar (perhaps a little stiffer ) I think I was expecting a Cadilac ride and the new shock to smooth out all the bumps. I may have been expecting too much (I probably was). I guess I have to keep reminding myself that it is still a 6500lb, 3/4 ton, 4x4 truck not a Cadillac



Were I really notice a huge difference is handling. The truck does handle much better. Being stiffer, and not so spongy like my worn out OEM's, the ride is much more controlled. I notice a huge different over railroad tracks or crossing any uneven surface at speed. The truck settles down much quicker and doesn't continue to bouce around long after the bumps. It also seems to corner a little better too.



I really wish I could pull these off and try something else, just for sake of comparison. I hear everyone rave about the Bilsteins and Ranchos, and I wonder how they would compare on the same truck to the Trailmasters.



Overall I am happy with the shocks, especially the no questions asked lifetime guarantee, but sometime in the future I would like to try something differernt (KAT - just as you feel about the Ranchos). It is not a priority, as they are an improvement over stock, but if I bought another truck I think I would try Bilsteins next time.



Sorry for the delayed response, but as I said I really wanted to put a few miles on them before I passed any judgement as I did not get the immediate night and day difference I was expecting.



I hope this helps in your decision.



Take care,

Ryan

 

[lawdog]

I myself will never use a SSV. I have installed several lift kits for other people and a lot of what we put on was Trailmaster kits with SSV shocks. A friend also used them for his winter shocks (he had chrome rancho's for summer----no wife or girlfriend just his truck to spend money on) anyway the experience I have is that they are way too mushy. we called his chevy 1500 the marshmallow truck when it has SSV's on it Another guy I know had them on his 3/4 gasser ram and rode in my "stocker" when it was new and said the stock was a better ride, his was too mushy... just what I know. . I need new shocks after 55,000 miles now, and I think I am going to the Bilsteins