I have an 18' bumper pull equipment/car trailer. its a 10k gvw. I am in the process of rebuilding the entire trailer because the floor is rotted, fenders bent, suspension/ bushings shot, etc.

I spoke with an old timer who had installed small shocks on the axles of his trailer and he said that the reduced vibrations helped with bushing wear, etc. I use this trailer very frequently and did the bushings about 2 years ago, which they are now shot.

He has since passed away, and I cant remember how he mounted them. I have 4 new shocks from the rear of a fwd GM car, they have eyelets on the bottom and a stud on top. I believe the best location would be on the same axis as the axle through movement(mount the tops of the shocks angled towards the center), however it will be more difficult than leaning them forward and not towards the center. I will be mounting off of the u-bolt mounting plates.

Anyone do this, have any ideas on mounting?

BTW, please dont respond if all you can say is, "What a waste of time" Its my time to waste, not yours Thanks

 

What a waste of time. Oops, sorry!

Seriously, I think I'd make brackets that you'd weld on to the axle tube just to the inside of the u-bolt mounting plates, then weld on a couple of more brackets directly above and slightly rearward of where the axle mounts will be located, but up on the frame somewhere. I've never been a fan of inward angled shocks, but that's just MY opinion. This way, the shock is taking the impact from the direction that the impact is coming from in the first place; from the front of the axle.

This is the way I've done it in the past and my customers have all seemed happy with it.

chaikwa.

 

I figured somone would say something. Seriously I hate asking a question on a forum(usually doesnt happen here) only to have 5 responses saying what a waste of time. Id rather look at the big picture and make that decision for myself.

Thanks for adding your input. I have more to work with forward and rearward than I do straight above the axle, so it would be easier to angle backwards.

 

Yes, that's what I meant. I thought you were talking about angling them inward towards the center of the trailer. And I'm not sure they'd really DO anything if they were straight up and down either.

Never hesitate to ask questions on this forum. Afterall, this is the home of the concrete bedliner!

chaikwa.

 

The 5th wheel we just bought has shocks on both axels.

 

I always figured ths shocks were at an angle for strength and to shorten the shock stroke. The angle distributes the shock force to the crossmember between compression/tension and perpendicular action. Just make sure it's secure, any flexing will fail in the worst possible area (like a busy highway). Just my $0.02.

 

Its not a waist of time at all i know quite a few guys with race car trailers that have shocks and swear by them. why wouldnt it work take the shocks of your truck and see how it rides same thing. Im gonna take my stock shocks from before my lift and put them on my 28 foot flatbed. mounting is kinda up to you tho without seing a picture its hard to say. just remeber you want the shock about 1/3 compressed when loaded good luck man let us know how it rides

 

shocks are a good idea! mount them as close to each wheel and as straight up and down as you can. yes shocks work best straight up and down