Anyone install shocks on their trailer??

Just an FYI for everyone. I just got off the phone with Sonny at Joy Rider. According to him, Roadmaster, Inc. is now building his Joy Rider and Liberty Rider products, though he is building a new factory to build them himself. Also, Joy Rider shock systems are being marketed as OEM installs and the aftermarket shock system is now called Comfort Ride. In addition, they are marketing the Liberty Rider slipper spring system under the Comfort Ride banner. This system gives you independent suspension by removing the center equalizer.

Check out Roadmaster's site for more info. http://roadmasterinc.com/products/travel_trailers/comfort_ride.html
Note: I am not affiliated with this company.

Lyle

I installed the Joy Rider kit (now called something else) this summer. I did the work myself and included numerous other suspension work and maintenance at the same time. To me; this upgrade was very important because our roads keep getting worse. You will help prolong the life of your trailer and tow vehicle by installing shocks. The Joy Rider is an engineered system that buys your shocks at there best operating angle.

Just fyi,
Bryan

I have some pictures also just thought I'd share.

ependydad wrote:
I had these shocks installed on my 42' fifth wheel bunkhouse. I honestly couldn't notice any noticeable difference before and after.

I can't say they hurt anything, but they definitely didn't help things.

The comment about being horizontal made me realize I had pictures I could share:

JoyRiders here. Installed myself a couple years ago. Definitely helped with the bouncing diving board effect with car in the back of the toy Hauler. After hitting a bump, the rear end settles right down. Before it would keep bouncing for awhile.

I have noticed A LOT of trailers with shocks mounted nearly horizontal. No wonder peeeps think they are useless. They do nothing unless more vertical than horizontal.

Likes to tow wrote:
The one I seem to like best is by Joyride Shock System which apparently is now bought out by Roadmaster
Inc. Has anyone done this to their trailer? Were there any problems??

I had these shocks installed on my 42' fifth wheel bunkhouse. I honestly couldn't notice any noticeable difference before and after.

I can't say they hurt anything, but they definitely didn't help things.

I have made quite a few modification to Improve ride comfort. These can be seen in my signature. Shocks definitely help but out of all the changes I believe installing Bilstein Shocks on my tow vehicle made the biggest improvement. Another improvement would be a properly leveled trailer.

Likes to tow wrote:
There are a few kits out there now to install shocks on trailers. Seems like a fairly easy job. The one I seem to like best is by Joyride Shock System which apparently is now bought out by Roadmaster
Inc. Has anyone done this to their trailer? Were there any problems?? Lots of people have reported broken springs and shocks would have to help. It would be helpful for anyone to share their experiences or brand names.

My '04 Komfort had them, but I never felt they did a whole lot; still had a lot of rocking around corners and the ride was rough. The way the shocks were mounted just didn't lend themselves to much dampening as they were closer to horizontal than vertical. Joyrider comments on this as being one of the real failings of a lot of factory installs whereas their system gets the shocks as close to vertical as possible. Yes, I know this is/could be salesmanship, but it sure makes sense to me. I was surprised when our '17 KZ didn't have them, but the thing rides better than my old Komfort did despite being 18" taller.

Lyle

Waste of money and labor.

Several years ago I put shocks on a 26' toy hauler because it seemed to bob around a lot. Made my own mounts, picked some shocks that had sufficient travel. It calmed the trailer down considerably, not as much bobbing and general movement.