I've owned my 2003 Hitchhiker since it was new - bought it in Oct 2002. While getting my rig ready for a long road trip, it dawned on me... my shocks are the factory originals, now 12 years old. They have approximately 45000 miles on them, some on not so great roads like the back country areas in Arizona and the Top Of The World Highway between Alaska and Canada.
I was wondering if, like tires, there is a recommended time to replace them, irrespective of outward appearance. There are no leaks, but I've never taken them off to see how they dampen. I know they cannot last forever, so I was wondering if there was a rule of thumb some of you might follow in a case like this, and what your recommendations are. I figure having them taken off to check and inspect would cost almost as much as installing new shocks to begin with. Thanks in advance for your input.
Bill
Bill & Nettie
U.S. Army (Retired)