I'm about to purchase a small 5th wheel, a 1998 Nash 21-5r, which has a GVWR of 7000 lbs. It does not have shock absorbers and the seller, who is the original owner, says it never has had any. We plan to take an extended (6 months or so) trip with this RV, so we expect to be operating at or near the GVWR most of the time. -- Should I put shocks on it?-- Why wasn't it equipped with them originally?-- What purpose do shocks serve on RVs?Thanks in advance for your group wisdom! ;)

Yes, they should but I have yet to see a manufacturer install them.

azdryheat wrote:Yes, they should but I have yet to see a manufacturer install them.Outdoors RV has shock absorbers on their TTs and 5ers.

A lot has changed in the RV market from 89 til now. I think your unit did not come with shocks as it was most likely not even though of during that time period. The shocks help take the bounce out of the trailer just as they do your truck etc.. This will help with items inside the unit. There are after market kits for shocks, or maybe the best bet would be to take it to a trailer place and have them install. Might as well check the balance of the suspension during that time. My 5th wheel came from the mfg with shocks, just this year I replace them as they were showing their age.

You should contact Northwood MFG. and ask them: 800.766.6274. They made Nash campers and still do--Lars

My '04 Komfort has factory shocks. I've passed more than one trailer with severely out of balance tires that =didn't= have shocks. Would not want to be those owners at the end of their drives. I'd be willing to bet that you could find a kit to add shocks. On that small a trailer, I would. I'd also balance the wheels.Lyle

Should my 5th wheel have shock absorbers? | Good Sam Community

azdryheat
Explorer
Apr 22, 2014
Yes, they should but I have yet to see a manufacturer install them.
rrwantr
Explorer
Apr 22, 2014
azdryheat wrote:
Yes, they should but I have yet to see a manufacturer install them.

Outdoors RV has shock absorbers on their TTs and 5ers.
craig7h
Nomad II
Apr 22, 2014
A lot has changed in the RV market from 89 til now. I think your unit did not come with shocks as it was most likely not even though of during that time period. The shocks help take the bounce out of the trailer just as they do your truck etc.. This will help with items inside the unit. There are after market kits for shocks, or maybe the best bet would be to take it to a trailer place and have them install. Might as well check the balance of the suspension during that time. My 5th wheel came from the mfg with shocks, just this year I replace them as they were showing their age.
lhenry8113
Explorer
Apr 22, 2014
You should contact Northwood MFG. and ask them: 800.766.6274. They made Nash campers and still do--Lars
laknox
Nomad
Apr 22, 2014
My '04 Komfort has factory shocks. I've passed more than one trailer with severely out of balance tires that =didn't= have shocks. Would not want to be those owners at the end of their drives. I'd be willing to bet that you could find a kit to add shocks. On that small a trailer, I would. I'd also balance the wheels.

Lyle
netjam
Explorer
Apr 22, 2014
I have a 2011 KZ Escalade. Came without shocks, weighs 15000 lb. My previous 5er (different manufacturer) had shocks. Can't tell any difference towing. Have gone Oregon to FL and back a few times without problems. Some (like mine) come without shocks.
donn0128
Explorer II
Apr 22, 2014
Should it? Probsbly notespeciallyin thst size and age. Will it help to have them? Yes. But unless it has shock mounts it is unlikely if it was even offered as an option.
ford_truck_guy
Nomad
Apr 22, 2014
netjam wrote:
I have a 2011 KZ Escalade. Came without shocks, weighs 15000 lb. My previous 5er (different manufacturer) had shocks. Can't tell any difference towing. Have gone Oregon to FL and back a few times without problems. Some (like mine) come without shocks.

My 2008 KZ Montego Bay came with them..if given a choice , I would have them for sure..I no longer have them as I upgraded to the Mor/ryde IS system.....
n7bsn
Explorer
Apr 22, 2014
Something stinks here. How are you "buying" a 1989 Nash when Northwoods wasn't started until 1993?

Now we had a 99 24-5N and they did NOT put shocks on all smaller 5ers back then. Some had them (ours) some didn't
kakampers
Explorer
Apr 22, 2014
ford truck guy wrote:
netjam wrote:
I have a 2011 KZ Escalade. Came without shocks, weighs 15000 lb. My previous 5er (different manufacturer) had shocks. Can't tell any difference towing. Have gone Oregon to FL and back a few times without problems. Some (like mine) come without shocks.

My 2008 KZ Montego Bay came with them..if given a choice , I would have them for sure..I no longer have them as I upgraded to the Mor/ryde IS system.....

That's odd...we have IS and we have shocks. These are installed at the proper angle, unlike the factory installed shocks that came on our rig.