Forum Discussion

Diesel_Camper's avatar
Diesel_Camper
Explorer
Jan 11, 2015

Just put shocks on 5er, Shocks too short?




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's avatar
    Diesel_Camper
    Explorer
    Jan 14, 2015


    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's avatar
    Dtank
    Explorer
    Jan 13, 2015
    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


    .


    Clicky for the #19160 above = *555025*

    Clicky for the #19139 above = *555001*

    .
  • filrupmark's avatar
    filrupmark
    Explorer
    Jan 12, 2015
    Seems like simple projects always turn into major projects. I agree about modifying the lower mount.
  • bazdad's avatar
    bazdad
    Explorer
    Jan 12, 2015
    From the looks of the picture, it looks as if modifying the lower bracket might be easier.
  • Diesel_Camper's avatar
    Diesel_Camper
    Explorer
    Jan 12, 2015
    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's avatar
    TCollins
    Explorer
    Jan 11, 2015
    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's avatar
    Diesel_Camper
    Explorer
    Jan 11, 2015
    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's avatar
    Martyn
    Nomad
    Jan 11, 2015
    Timay wrote:
    Martyn wrote:
    Clicky
    Clicky is broken...

    Tim


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

About Fifth Wheel Group

19,006 PostsLatest Activity: Jan 24, 2025