shock absorbers
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Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,931
Likes: 12
From: SW Michigan
shock absorbers
Am I the only one who wonders why trailers generally do not have shocks? Wouldn't this help your trailer stay under control as you roll along? One of my trailers, made from the back half of an old truck, still has it's shocks and it pulls nicer than lots of other trailers I've hauled. What do you'll think? DF
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 7,298
Likes: 45
From: Southern California
shock absorbers
DF, I never really thought about it, but what a great idea. I guess that trailers usually don't have them, because nobody rides in 'em.
Might be a good application for a horse trailer though. Might make long trips less leg numbing for the passengers and help to dampen the shifting of live weight.
Might be a good application for a horse trailer though. Might make long trips less leg numbing for the passengers and help to dampen the shifting of live weight.
Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
shock absorbers
For trailers like mine that have only a leaf spring suspension, Monroe manufactures an "RV Retrofit Kit". I have saved a link to a web page where you can download the kit installation instructions (in Adobe Acrobat format.)
It's on my "wish list", but before I order it I would be a lot more comfortable hearing from anyone who has done the actual installation and.
The link is: http://www.tenneco-automotivehd.com/rv_retrofit.htm
Dino
It's on my "wish list", but before I order it I would be a lot more comfortable hearing from anyone who has done the actual installation and.
The link is: http://www.tenneco-automotivehd.com/rv_retrofit.htm
Dino
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 261
Likes: 0
From: Winnipeg, MB
shock absorbers
I have built several utility trailers over the years, and nearly all of them have included some type of shock or damper system.
The shocks keep your trailer on the ground. It's as simple as that.
Another setup that works not badly is to attach coil springs to your axle bracket and the trailer frame directly above. This seems to control the funkiness at train crossings, etc as well. The simplest form of this I have seen is a guy who just welded the coils at each end right where he wanted them. Sooner than later though, the welds cracked and now he's back to just leaves.
Hope that encourages some to go out and do it. I guarantee it's easier than picking up the pieces after you loose your trailer on the highway!
Kris Taylor
"Give me a welder, we'll set the world on fire!"
The shocks keep your trailer on the ground. It's as simple as that.
Another setup that works not badly is to attach coil springs to your axle bracket and the trailer frame directly above. This seems to control the funkiness at train crossings, etc as well. The simplest form of this I have seen is a guy who just welded the coils at each end right where he wanted them. Sooner than later though, the welds cracked and now he's back to just leaves.
Hope that encourages some to go out and do it. I guarantee it's easier than picking up the pieces after you loose your trailer on the highway!
Kris Taylor
"Give me a welder, we'll set the world on fire!"
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New User
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
shock absorbers
Because most trailers use leaf type spring systems, extra damping devices are often not needed. Technically, shocks dampen the harmonic (up and down bouncy) motion of a mass (the trailer) over the springs, in order to prevent unpredictable motions of the trailer from occuring. Leaf springs, because they are binded layered sheets of steel, supply a good amount of damping natuarally due to the friction between the sheets. The damping in a leaf spring is usually enough to serve the purpose of most trailers.
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