Just put shocks on 5er, Shocks too short?

[Diesel_Camper]

These are Monroe 555001's designed for RV use. Once I installed the shocks and then leveled the trailer, there is only about an inch of compression left in the shock's travel. There is only about 3-4 inches between the top of the axle and the bottom of the frame so I know it doesn't use all of that, but I'm not convinced the shocks have enough room to work before bottoming out. I'm thinking I could cut off the upper shock mounts and raise them if needs be. Just not sure if that is necessary for how much travel these axles actually use.

[Diesel_Camper]

Well I ended up cutting the mounts off and welding them up higher on the frame. It survived the first trip on the freeway so hopefully that will do it. You can see the original location of the mount on the shiny tubular steel behind the see-saw. I had to extend the mounts about 1-3/4" to clear the bottom of the I beam. On the freeway I noticed a nice improvement in handling and heaving after a big bump. I would reccomend shocks as an upgrade.

[Dtank]

TCollins wrote:
I put the 555001's on my Designer 33RLS. The upper mounting brackets were located further up on the frame on my trailer. These two links provide the technical data for the 555001 and 555025.
http://www.shockwarehouse.com/site/product.cfm?id=19160
http://www.shockwarehouse.com/site/product.cfm?id=19139
Perhaps you could contact the trailer manufacturer and see what was originally installed

TomC

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Clicky for the #19160 above = *555025*

Clicky for the #19139 above = *555001*

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[filrupmark]

Seems like simple projects always turn into major projects. I agree about modifying the lower mount.

[Diesel_Camper]

What's your idea? 🙂

[bazdad]

From the looks of the picture, it looks as if modifying the lower bracket might be easier.

[Diesel_Camper]

It's a Fleetwood 5er so probably won't be able to get any info because they are out of that business.

I'm just thinking of what I can use for brackets. I'm leaning to words the heavy gauge L brackets from ace hardware. Maybe check out home depot and see if I can get something better. Ideally i'd like something triangular in nature for strength, but the ace brackets might be good enough...

[TCollins]

I put the 555001's on my Designer 33RLS. The upper mounting brackets were located further up on the frame on my trailer. These two links provide the technical data for the 555001 and 555025.
http://www.shockwarehouse.com/site/product.cfm?id=19160
http://www.shockwarehouse.com/site/product.cfm?id=19139
Perhaps you could contact the trailer manufacturer and see what was originally installed

TomC

[Diesel_Camper]

I think those supports were not designed for any shock currently available. I will most likely end up installing the supports on the frame higher up. That should help with the severe angle too. Just kind of annoyed it wasnt a direct bolt in job, but camping problems are the best ones to have.

[Martyn]

Timay wrote:

Martyn wrote:
Clicky

Clicky is broken...

Tim

Was working when I put it out there - OP changed his setup probably.

[Bowti]

delete

[Cummins12V98]

Compress and extend a old and new shock if they are the same you are good to go. At that angle they are not going to compress much.

[NC_Hauler]

Had my suspension upgraded 1st of this year...went from 3500# spring packs to 4000# spring packs, added the Mor/ryde suspension system and replaced my OEM shocks with the Monroe Severe Duty shocks...really made a big difference in the way the 5er tows, and even when set up for camping, seems more stable than before...The shocks look OK from what I can tell from OP's picture...Not sure what the number is on mine, but checked out shocks before they were installed and they had more than enough extension..Now I'll have to find my paperwork to see which one's I had installed.

[BurbMan]

Typically the upper shock mounts are up higher, about midway on the web of the frame's I-beam. Generally you want to mount the shock so that it's midway in its travel when the vehicle is loaded and sitting static. Can't say if these will work for you long term but I agree they look too short.

[newman_fulltime]

order the other set there are two diff numbers im betting the others are the ones you need