I have a 2014 GMC 3500 Dually crew cab and am looking to replace the shocks. I am pulling a fiver with about 3800lbs pin weight and at times when I hit a bump the bounce is a little harsh. The fiver has a trailair pinbox (which I have another post going on).Are the Monroe Reflex shock comparable to the Blisten gas shock? The Monroe is hydraulic and they are about the same cost.Is there a shock expert on here that can help me make a decision? Thanks Doug

Just go with Bilstein and get on with your towing life. You'll be glad you did.

Turtle n Peeps wrote:Just go with Bilstein and get on with your towing life. You'll be glad you did.+1 cant go wrong with the Bills. Based on your heavy towing I might recommend the 4600s over the slightly softer 5100s

Let us know if the shocks actually make a difference. Hate to waste money on hype or internet junk..........

Monroe Reflex are junk, last about 4 months before they start leaking. I went with KYB to replace them as they were in the store the day I had time to change out the Monroes. If I had the time to wait on delivery, I think I would go Blisteins based on most posts to this subject.

Turtle n Peeps wrote:Just go with Bilstein and get on with your towing life. You'll be glad you did.exactly. on my 04 duramax I tossed the factory shocks at about 1K miles for the bilsteins, well worth it. and after 125K miles still going strong.Wish I could do the same on my 2015. factory shocks aren't damped for towing, but bilstein hasn't come out with a replacement shock yet. As soon as they do, out go the factory shocks.

Comparing shocks | Good Sam Community

Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Jul 19, 2015
Wishin wrote:
I had Bilstein 4600's on my wagon and loved them, 100k miles later I still love them. I put them on my Suburban when I bought it with 134k miles on it. It had Rancho 5000s on it which were completely shot. I could easily move the piston back and forth 2 inches with no resistance at all when they were in my hand. The Bilstein's are not as good on my Suburban as they are on the wagon, maybe not enough for all the extra weight. The only other ones I'd consider trying would be the Rancho 9000 adjustable shocks. Many people seem to be happy with them and the adjust ability would be nice. I'm not unhappy with the Bilstein's however. They are great unloaded but 1300 lbs of tongue weight, a little more damping would be nice.

Throw a set of bags on it and run them at 30psi loaded that will make the towing ride very nice.
Wishin
Explorer
Jul 19, 2015
I had Bilstein 4600's on my wagon and loved them, 100k miles later I still love them. I put them on my Suburban when I bought it with 134k miles on it. It had Rancho 5000s on it which were completely shot. I could easily move the piston back and forth 2 inches with no resistance at all when they were in my hand. The Bilstein's are not as good on my Suburban as they are on the wagon, maybe not enough for all the extra weight. The only other ones I'd consider trying would be the Rancho 9000 adjustable shocks. Many people seem to be happy with them and the adjust ability would be nice. I'm not unhappy with the Bilstein's however. They are great unloaded but 1300 lbs of tongue weight, a little more damping would be nice.
travelnutz
Explorer II
Jul 16, 2015
Changed my OEM shocks about 4 months after my ordered new Duramx CC LB 4X4 truck came in because we carry a very heavy 11'4" Lance TC or our Carriage Carrilite 5th wheel with the truck and all it's ever used for. Carriage Carrilite's are not at all light in weight! Ours scale weighed 12,840 loaded to go down to Florida. I went with Rancho 9000X adjustables and they have been excellent and am very pleased. Now have 155,677 miles on them as of today and still working great. Was going to go with Bilstiens but too many RV towing people/friends we know had said they were not happy with or very displeased with theirs. The Rancho's being adjustable is great and allows the truck to ride so much better when unhitched like when in Florida for our 2 to 2-1/2 months in mid January till about the end of March. If they ever wear out or fail, a new set of the Rancho's is all that will be on our truck.
time2roll
Nomad
Jun 18, 2015
Put Bills on at 100k miles. Not impressed. Next set will be MonoMax.
LowRyter
Explorer
Jun 18, 2015
I've got the top line Monroes, they seem OK.
DennisG9
Explorer
Jun 18, 2015
12th Man Fan wrote:
Thanks everyone for your input. Since I only use my truck to haul the 5ER I am going with the 4600 but I think I have waited too late to order them and I can't find anyone that stocks them locally.We are leaving for Montana next week so I guess we will wait unless I find some on the trip.

I called a couple of on line suppliers and they were all on back order for my truck.

Again thanks for the info.

Doug

Try John Kennedy www.kennedydiesel.com/

Give him a call he might get them to you in time
APT
Explorer
Jun 18, 2015
My rears came today from Summit Racing. The ride is already greatly improved on a quick test drive on a particularly bouncy road near my home. Fronts come tomorrow and I hope to get them installed tomorrow evening.

12th man, Summit Racing has the 24-196437 and 24-196444 in stock for shipping tomorrow if those are your parts. It should take 1-2 days via free ground shipping. Not the lowest prices...
12th_Man_Fan
Explorer
Jun 18, 2015
Thanks everyone for your input. Since I only use my truck to haul the 5ER I am going with the 4600 but I think I have waited too late to order them and I can't find anyone that stocks them locally.We are leaving for Montana next week so I guess we will wait unless I find some on the trip.

I called a couple of on line suppliers and they were all on back order for my truck.

Again thanks for the info.

Doug
Huntindog
Explorer
Jun 17, 2015
N-Trouble wrote:
APT wrote:
I just ordered Bilstein 4600s. The OEM shocks were underdamped when new, and pathetic at 59k miles. Looking forward to the next tow trip with them!

Good call. When you pull the factory shocks compress each one and see how many actually return to full length on their own. I pulled mine at 20K miles and two were already gone and would not uncompress on their own.

4600s Blue/Yellow body made for heavy towing - had them on last truck
5100s Black/Silver valved slightly softer - have them on current daily driver truck

A lot think 5100s are only for lifted trucks but that is not true. They offer them in both stock height and extended length.

Not all shocks are suppoesed to uncompress on their own. They are shocks, not springs. They are to dampen the springs, not assist them in holding up the vehicle.

On a side note. I put the Bilsteins on my 2001 duramax after reading rave reviews.. I was not impressed at all. It was IMO a waste of money.

Best shocks I ever had were Edelbrock reflex on my 96 Dodge.
rhagfo
Explorer III
Jun 17, 2015
So I hung back on this one a bit! :B

Bilstien 5100's on this non lifted 2001 Ram, WOW!! World of difference!

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