shocks on pup up trailer?
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
shocks on pup up trailer?
as the title says...
I just towed our new (to us) camper home tonight and had never seen so much bounce in my rear-view before.
I understand you want a soft ride for the contents of the trailer, dishes, silverware, etc... but at the same time everything we pack for camping is non-breakable, disposable, or rugged stuff... or it's in the bed of the truck.
So why would I NOT fab and install a pair of shocks to keep the jouncing to a minimum, and probably prolong the life of the leafs a few more years?
I mean light duty cheap Monroe's, enough to curb the rebound, and take a bit away from the compression.
Anyone done it, know why NOT to do it... any thoughts at all?
I just towed our new (to us) camper home tonight and had never seen so much bounce in my rear-view before.
I understand you want a soft ride for the contents of the trailer, dishes, silverware, etc... but at the same time everything we pack for camping is non-breakable, disposable, or rugged stuff... or it's in the bed of the truck.
So why would I NOT fab and install a pair of shocks to keep the jouncing to a minimum, and probably prolong the life of the leafs a few more years?
I mean light duty cheap Monroe's, enough to curb the rebound, and take a bit away from the compression.
Anyone done it, know why NOT to do it... any thoughts at all?
#2
Senior Member
You can do it...there's no cons about that.
when I had my pop up camper....it was bouncing when it was too light/empty.
When loaded it was stable enough not to bounce everywhere.
or you're going too fast
when I had my pop up camper....it was bouncing when it was too light/empty.
When loaded it was stable enough not to bounce everywhere.
or you're going too fast
#3
Senior Member
Thread Starter
I was just driving in town, sub 40mph, more 25-35, which I know would exagerate bouncing as opposed to highway speeds where it would kind of "hover" level'ish.
Either way, I enjoy modding my toys, so I think I will add shocks... and update with my thoughts at a later date.
#4
Senior Member
I'm very curious on where you would mount the shocks on a pop-up.
#5
Grumpy Old Man
The same place you would mount shocks on any other trailer.
The suspension and frame of the trailer doesn't pop up. Assuming normal leaf spring suspension, fabricate a new bottom plate for where the U-bolts connect the axle to springs.
On that new plate, include a tab for where the bottom of the shock would be attached. On the frame of the trailer above that new plate is where you would attach the top of the shock, usually with just a bolt through the frame. The shock must be the right length to tie the new plate to the frame.
I'm in the process of adding shocks to my small TT. I ordered Monroe 555002 Gas-Magnum RV shock absorbers from Amazon.com ($26.94 each) and they arrived yesterday. The 555002 is 12.759" extended length and 8.625" compressed length, which is about right for my trailer.
Link: Monroe Gas-Magnum RV Shocks
The suspension and frame of the trailer doesn't pop up. Assuming normal leaf spring suspension, fabricate a new bottom plate for where the U-bolts connect the axle to springs.
On that new plate, include a tab for where the bottom of the shock would be attached. On the frame of the trailer above that new plate is where you would attach the top of the shock, usually with just a bolt through the frame. The shock must be the right length to tie the new plate to the frame.
I'm in the process of adding shocks to my small TT. I ordered Monroe 555002 Gas-Magnum RV shock absorbers from Amazon.com ($26.94 each) and they arrived yesterday. The 555002 is 12.759" extended length and 8.625" compressed length, which is about right for my trailer.
Link: Monroe Gas-Magnum RV Shocks
Last edited by smokeywren; 06-13-2013 at 06:58 PM.
#7
Grumpy Old Man
We no longer "camp". We use the TT as a mobile potty and portable motel room that allows two dogs.
Last edited by smokeywren; 06-13-2013 at 12:44 PM.
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#8
Senior Member
Thread Starter
The same place you would mount shocks on any other trailer.
The suspension and frame of the trailer doesn't pop up. Assuming normal leaf spring suspension, fabricate a new bottom plate for where the U-bolts connect the axle to springs.
On that new plate, include a tab for where the bottom of the shock would be attached. On the frame of the trailer above that new plate is where you would attach the top of the shock, usually with just a bolt through the frame. The shock must be the right length to tie the new plate to the frame.
I'm in the process of adding shocks to my small TT. I ordered Monroe 555002 Gas-Magnum RV shock absorbers from Amazon.com ($26.94 each) and they arrived yesterday. The 555002 is 12.759" extended length and 8,625" compressed length, which is about right for my trailer.
Link: Monroe Gas-Magnum RV Shocks
The suspension and frame of the trailer doesn't pop up. Assuming normal leaf spring suspension, fabricate a new bottom plate for where the U-bolts connect the axle to springs.
On that new plate, include a tab for where the bottom of the shock would be attached. On the frame of the trailer above that new plate is where you would attach the top of the shock, usually with just a bolt through the frame. The shock must be the right length to tie the new plate to the frame.
I'm in the process of adding shocks to my small TT. I ordered Monroe 555002 Gas-Magnum RV shock absorbers from Amazon.com ($26.94 each) and they arrived yesterday. The 555002 is 12.759" extended length and 8,625" compressed length, which is about right for my trailer.
Link: Monroe Gas-Magnum RV Shocks
Yeah, my plan was exactly as you described, I'll look into those part numbers once I've done some measuring on my ride.
Figured this way we can figure out if we are into the trailer camping, and what we like/dislike about this style camper. Get a few years, or many, of use and either upgrade, continue using, or get rid of all together. But we understand the possible progression.
Thanks for the thoughts folks, look forward to making it happen.
#9
Check Dexter Axle company - they make a shock retrofit kit. Monroe used to make a kit, but I can't find them in stock any longer.
I did thus on my TT. Lots of work but worth it on rough roads.
I did thus on my TT. Lots of work but worth it on rough roads.