Shock on a TT

[DonP]

We just returned from a 25-day, 6000+ mile adventure and I have a months' worth of repairs to make. I-40 is in horrible condition especially in NM & AR as is I-80 around Chicago. Even semis were using the center lane because of the road conditions. We had a complete vallance come off the slide wall and our freezer door panel came off because the plastic retainer came loose, many more minor repairs also.

So, here's my question: would the addition of shocks on the trailer help mitigate some of this damage? And yes, I know that it is what it is and I'm not asking for a cure all, that just won't happen but will they help? We are going to be trying to do 1 long adventure per year and at this rate the trailer will be gone before we are.

[sourdough]

If you are going to be making those kinds of trips you might want to just put a shock kit on there...they don't cost much. Whether they help or not (or enough to be a benefit) I don't know as I've never considered them. Others on the forum have used them so I'm sure they will chime in with their thoughts. 6000 miles in 25 days - you didn't let any grass grow under you!

I'm assuming you have the Road Armor suspension on the Cougar. If you had the old wishbone type suspension I would get rid of it first. With the way RVs are built I don't know that there is a solution to eliminating damage from terrible highways but you might minimize it a bit as you're hoping for. A full independent suspension would help but that's considerably more expensive. Good luck on a solution. I will be following the responses - I may just throw some on for good measure.

[dutchmensport]

Avoid interstates at all costs. I've been tooting that horn for years and years now. Now you know why.

Trailers bounce. Nothing you can do to stop that. G-forces bouncing up and down tear things up. The best you can do is avoid known roads that are horrible..... and that means avoiding interstates at all costs!

Take US Highways. Most US Highways are very smooth, 4 lanes, and have 65 mph speed limits. They do travel through small towns and villages and the travel is a bit slower (and the scenery is a lot more interesting) and you get to meet actual local people and help support actual local communities when you stop for meals and such. But most important, you don't travel over treacherous interstates that breaks vehicles apart. (Have you ever noticed all the semi-truck parts laying on the side of the road. If you haven't, you should. That should tell you how horrible the interstates are).

[DonP]

That's great advise for the future and advise I intent to take but doesn't answer my question. Will the addition of shocks help mitigate, not solve the problem but mitigate the problem?

[DonP]

Originally Posted by sourdough

If you are going to be making those kinds of trips you might want to just put a shock kit on there...they don't cost much. Whether they help or not (or enough to be a benefit) I don't know as I've never considered them. Others on the forum have used them so I'm sure they will chime in with their thoughts. 6000 miles in 25 days - you didn't let any grass grow under you!

I'm assuming you have the Road Armor suspension on the Cougar. If you had the old wishbone type suspension I would get rid of it first. With the way RVs are built I don't know that there is a solution to eliminating damage from terrible highways but you might minimize it a bit as you're hoping for. A full independent suspension would help but that's considerably more expensive. Good luck on a solution. I will be following the responses - I may just throw some on for good measure.

Thanks for the thoughts. E-Trailer has a shock kit for $585 and a suspension replacement kit for $1635. I'm not sure that the $1600 would be worth it, you know the cost vs. benefit thing.

[flybouy]

Originally Posted by dutchmensport

Avoid interstates at all costs. I've been tooting that horn for years and years now. Now you know why.

Trailers bounce. Nothing you can do to stop that. G-forces bouncing up and down tear things up. The best you can do is avoid known roads that are horrible..... and that means avoiding interstates at all costs!

Take US Highways. Most US Highways are very smooth, 4 lanes, and have 65 mph speed limits. They do travel through small towns and villages and the travel is a bit slower (and the scenery is a lot more interesting) and you get to meet actual local people and help support actual local communities when you stop for meals and such. But most important, you don't travel over treacherous interstates that breaks vehicles apart. (Have you ever noticed all the semi-truck parts laying on the side of the road. If you haven't, you should. That should tell you how horrible the interstates are).

Originally Posted by DonP

That's great advise for the future and advise I intent to take but doesn't answer my question. Will the addition of shocks help mitigate, not solve the problem but mitigate the problem?

I've seen several reports on the addition of shocks on trailers. It seemed to me like more folks were wishy washy on the benefits vs the costs. A few people raved that it was a "vast improvement " but some folks will say that just to justify their decision.. so my answere would be "I don't have a clue" but if you're willing to risk the money I don't think it could hurt.

[meaz93*]

I got back from a camping trip up in Northern AZ.....the reservation gal warned me about some road construction coming up?
Ummm....holy crap!
Roads were frickin in horrible condition. The worst I've ever traveled going through Payson, Pine, Srawberry.
Now....in January I had replaced the large slide motor & gears; obviously removing valance etc and resecuring. Ohh and fixed the one faulty thermal coupler on the fridge [emoji6]....so I was feeling pretty good about the travel, until I "hit"[emoji2955] the road!
I just dodged pots holes like a Nascar driver-lol....only way slower.
I have real good Transeagle tires on my Outback that were aired up.
I finally got to my destination and crossed my fingers when I backed the trailer into said camping spot.... opened the camper door and everything was were it was supposed to be!
I thought for sure the slide valance would be hanging down or yanked off.[emoji849]
All turned out well. Unbelievable poor road conditions!!
Just took it slow and did some weaving-lol
OP's behind me actually followed my Truck & Outback through the land mines[emoji106]
BTW.....day temps in the mid 60's and mornings in the 40's.
Back to the 100's in the Valley.

[rhagfo]

Originally Posted by DonP

That's great advise for the future and advise I intent to take but doesn't answer my question. Will the addition of shocks help mitigate, not solve the problem but mitigate the problem?

The short answer is YES!
We put shocks on our 32’ 5th wheel and really smoothed out the ride.

[fjr vfr]

We travel I40 out to SoCal from VA and back for several years now. We've taken a southern route a couple of years also. I have to say the worst is around OKC.
Anyway we have not experienced any problems associated with the bad roads. We have had incidents with bearings, water pumps, etc. but not due to bouncing all over the road...lol
A couple years ago I installed some Sumo Springs on the trailer and did notice an improvement. I believe they were a good "bang for the buck" addition. I tried not to break the bank with an upgrade and our trailer never rode very bad to begin with.
Bottom line is most anything you do will help, but there is no miracle fix.
One more thing that can make a big difference, and that is how your trailer is loaded. If you don't have enough tongue weight or if your wdh is not set up for the correct tongue weight those things can very much affect things. You will be way off if you are using the manufacturer's listed tongue weight. Those weights like dry weights are a stripped trailer on the manufacturing floor without batteries, gas bottles, spare tire or any accessories. Your hitch weight should be at least 12% of the trailer gross weight.
Take it to a CAT scale and see how you're balanced. It's only $10.
Good luck with it all

[rlh1957]

Drive slower here…. Sometimes 65mph is still too fast for some of these roads. Save your back and your RV suspension. I slow up, sorry if you’re behind me!
Road Armor system is better and helps saving the suspension.

[Mikelff]

Originally Posted by DonP

We just returned from a 25-day, 6000+ mile adventure and I have a months' worth of repairs to make. I-40 is in horrible condition especially in NM & AR as is I-80 around Chicago. Even semis were using the center lane because of the road conditions. We had a complete vallance come off the slide wall and our freezer door panel came off because the plastic retainer came loose, many more minor repairs also.

So, here's my question: would the addition of shocks on the trailer help mitigate some of this damage? And yes, I know that it is what it is and I'm not asking for a cure all, that just won't happen but will they help? We are going to be trying to do 1 long adventure per year and at this rate the trailer will be gone before we are.

Take a look at Sumo Springs. They act like shocks and springs. They are progressive springs that increase resistance as they compress. Easy install and may be your answer. I have not seen a lot of positive comments on shocks, if you can find some to fit. Sumo Springs are IMO, a much better solution.

https://www.superspringsinternationa...er-sumosprings

[rlh1957]

Originally Posted by dutchmensport

Avoid interstates at all costs. I've been tooting that horn for years and years now. Now you know why.

Trailers bounce. Nothing you can do to stop that. G-forces bouncing up and down tear things up. The best you can do is avoid known roads that are horrible..... and that means avoiding interstates at all costs!

Take US Highways. Most US Highways are very smooth, 4 lanes, and have 65 mph speed limits. They do travel through small towns and villages and the travel is a bit slower (and the scenery is a lot more interesting) and you get to meet actual local people and help support actual local communities when you stop for meals and such. But most important, you don't travel over treacherous interstates that breaks vehicles apart. (Have you ever noticed all the semi-truck parts laying on the side of the road. If you haven't, you should. That should tell you how horrible the interstates are).

I agree with you.
There is nowhere I need to get that fast on interstate… I only tow at 60-65mph and most US Highways are 55 to 65 anyway.
Sure they go through some towns. But this is why I am traveling and camping; to see America and the places that were passed by interstates.
Fuel? Most US Highways cross or are near interstates and the truck-stops where we get diesel.
Little Towns have the best food, attractions and information. Even had one person where we ate offer us space to park for the night on their land in town.

[Don77]

Originally Posted by DonP

We just returned from a 25-day, 6000+ mile adventure and I have a months' worth of repairs to make. I-40 is in horrible condition especially in NM & AR as is I-80 around Chicago. Even semis were using the center lane because of the road conditions. We had a complete vallance come off the slide wall and our freezer door panel came off because the plastic retainer came loose, many more minor repairs also.

So, here's my question: would the addition of shocks on the trailer help mitigate some of this damage? And yes, I know that it is what it is and I'm not asking for a cure all, that just won't happen but will they help? We are going to be trying to do 1 long adventure per year and at this rate the trailer will be gone before we are.

That was not an adventure that was a FORCED MARCH!
WE did 5000 miles in 5 weeks and I felt like I had wheels on my heels, by only got sore spots you know where!

Don