Travel Trailer Shock Absorber Addition

[RUSSELL5000]

I assume the reason travel trailers normally don’t come with shock absorbers is to save on production cost for the manufacturer. I assume this is also pretty much OK if towing the trailer an hour or two to a campground six to ten times a year.

I would think shock absorbers would be beneficial if travelling thousands of miles per year.

I have done web searches and have found two kits that are available:

Camping World: Shock Kit for 3-Inch Axle Tube - Mobile Outfitters (Lippert) 281281 - Shocks - Camping World

JoyRider: Shock Kit for 3-Inch Axle Tube - Mobile Outfitters (Lippert) 281281 - Shocks - Camping World

Has anyone retrofitted shock absorbers on their travel trailer?

Did you use a kit, and if so, which one?

How do you like the results?


Thanks!

[RUSSELL5000]

Correction: the JoyRider is:

Joy Rider

[SouthCo]

I can't comment on adding them, but we were at the Richmond VA RV show a few weeks ago and I saw a non-Jayco camper that came with shocks. It was a large 5th wheel. I have never seen them on a camper before, but then again I haven't looked a lot...

[clubhouse]

First off I don't have shocks on my TT, nor do I have any experience with shocks on any trailer I pull.

What are you trying to accomplish with shocks?

I ask because when I first got my TT I asked a friend who owns tire shop and he asked me that question. Thinking more about it I couldn't answer that. I dont have an issue with items in the trailer being thrown around when towing, so I didn't need to solve that. I did have some experience with the TT affecting TV handling, but that was when I was using a '04 Tahoe at its limits. When I got a capable truck for my TT that issue went away. So I just forgot about getting shocks.

Now I am the person who tows my TT 8-10 years for ~100-200 miles each way, not the 1000s of miles you mention. Maybe if I towed from the west coast to the east coast I would have a different thought. But that is why I am asking what you are trying to accomplish.

[Grumpy]

We had them on our 2 FW that we had in the 90's. If you have the Mor-Ryde option I see no reason to add the shocks. If not they will probably help with tire wear.

[Plowtoy]

Interesting post. Im thinking your right about distance being towed. All a shock absorber does is exactly that, absorbes shock (or slows the bounce)

Ive not noticed excessive bounce from any of our campers, so maybe it has something to do with the spring rate of the springs? It deffinately cant hurt anything to add them IMO.

[nylyon]

This is certainly something which is on my list to do. While maybe not as noticeable when you're pulling, but have you followed a camper down a bumpy road. The trailer is bouncing all over the place. Adding shocks will dampen the excessive movement of the suspension giving not only a better ride and control in the TV, but less stress on the suspension of the trailer, frame, sidewalls, roof and items inside.

I can't think of why this would be a bad idea?

[RUSSELL5000]

What am I trying to accomplish? I think (and I readily admit that I am not an authority on this subject) that the goal is to:

"... dampen the excessive movement of the suspension giving not only a better ride and control in the TV, but less stress on the suspension of the trailer, frame, sidewalls, roof and items inside."

I don't have any real concerns with the tow vehicle, as my set up is well within capabilities all around with a comfortable margin for safety.

It is contemplating a 4,000 mile trip that has me wondering whether there is benefit from dampening the movement on the suspension.

Thanks!

[SecretCoveDave]

We put on about 2500 miles on our first mini snow birding trip this winter.

I saw an ad for Joy Rider, and think it would help with the stress the TT absorbs.

Also no expert and don't know, just guessing. Thanks for the post I will follow with interest!

[clubhouse]

Originally Posted by RUSSELL5000

What am I trying to accomplish? I think (and I readily admit that I am not an authority on this subject) that the goal is to:

"... dampen the excessive movement of the suspension giving not only a better ride and control in the TV, but less stress on the suspension of the trailer, frame, sidewalls, roof and items inside."

I don't have any real concerns with the tow vehicle, as my set up is well within capabilities all around with a comfortable margin for safety.

It is contemplating a 4,000 mile trip that has me wondering whether there is benefit from dampening the movement on the suspension.

Thanks!

Damn you -- now I am thinking about it again. :-)

The long term affect on the TT suspension, frame and construction aren't something I really considered, but it certainly seems logical. Expanding on that, it probably is not an accident that most semi trailers are air ride these days.

Hopefully someone stumbles through here who has added shocks can comment.

[nunyadamn]

A byproduct of the original question - would it have any affect for leveling or would it help minimize movement inside once setup at a campground?

[nylyon]

I couldn't imagine it would help with leveling at all, nor help much with the movement since shocks do not limit the movement, only dampen it.

[Plowtoy]

They would not (or at least should not) help with leveling. Back in the day, air shocks on vehicles were popular, but IMO a bad idea. You went from a load being placed on heavy gauge metal (the OE springs and mounts) to being put on metal only designed to slow the bounce of a vehicle. Often times, air shocks would bust off the shock mount on one end of the shock or the other (depending on how it was mounted). So to answer your question, unless you were putting air shocks on, it shouldn't have any effect on leveling. You probably wouldnt notice the differance on movement while inside the rv either.

[Higgy]

Im wondering if putting shocks on would send a harder shockwave through the trailers frame and into the construction of it, whereas bounce may not have as much affect as a serious shudder. Just a thought?

[oldmanAZ]

Originally Posted by Higgy

Im wondering if putting shocks on would send a harder shockwave through the trailers frame and into the construction of it, whereas bounce may not have as much affect as a serious shudder. Just a thought?

There are opinions supporting both sides of this issue. It's easy to imagine that one way would be better than the other. Both sides seem to have merit. I can take a minute and imagine first one side, then the other.

Personally, I haven't read about any tests or evidence that supports either side.

IMO if someone is having a problem with items in their trailer (or their tow vehicle) being tossed around, TT shocks may be worth a try.

"It's only logical, Jim."

[SMS1115]

My thoughts are, the TT's were designed by engineers to work with the suspension systems that they were delivered with. Now, knowing how engineer think does not involve common sense, if I were to travel with my TT long distances over questionable roads, I would most likely install shocks to dampen the bounce. But, right now, we are just weekend warriors and don't travel that far with our trailer, so the factory suspension works just fine for us.

[Touch N Go]

I'm thinking about this real hard now. take a look at this clip on a single axel.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qIiXFw--j4M

You might have something going there my men.

If I a have dual axel do I need two??

[SecretCoveDave]

"Dammit Jim! I'm just a simple country 'shock scientist'!

This is now my favourite thread. As the lady says in the video - if your still unsure - I am a bit. But wavering to the shock side.

[SmokerBill]

Wow! What a shocking subject!

[glsimms]

That driver is goin' way too fast over those speed bumps....