Best Shocks?

[brittsnbirds]

Wondered if anyone had the "hot" set up with their 2500 HD Chevy pulling a 5th wheel.

Currently have a Curt Q20 in the bed. Installed the Rancho adjustable shocks and Firestone airbags to cut down the bounce and bottoming out.

The airbags made a significant improvement to cut down on bottoming out but still have some bounce. I crank the Rancho's all the way up for dampening when I pull.

I called Firestone and spoke with them about better shocks. They said I have the best that I could hope for. Would like to do better on the bounce.

Any ideas?

[brittsnbirds]

Thanks for all your suggestions and thoughts. I've noticed that some suggestions are made thinking that this is an out of control condition, it's not. All I am wondering (and probably should have asked) was who has better dampening rate, Bilteins or Rancho's.

After speaking with Firestone, they recommended the settings that I was using on the bags. That's the luxury of the air bags, you can add or take away. Especially when I get my compressor and gauge installed. Just dial it in as needed.

As far as there being a problem with the truck or trailer. No problems! Just trying to tweak it in a little better!

Thanks again.

[JIMNLIN]

Just because a truck sags with weight doesn't necessarily mean a bigger truck is needed.
The '03 and up 2500 2wd Dodge don't come with a aux overload spring pack. My '03 payload rating says 2460 lbs.
Adding 1800 lbs of Redi-Mix or my current 5th wheel trailers 2240 lb pin over the rear axle has the truck sagging badly.
I had the same trailer on a '01 2wd 2500 Dodge/Cummins with the aux overload spring pack and no sagging even with 2540 lbs of GN hitch weight.

Sometimes folks add suspension help even though the truck doesn't need help.
Also High pressure in a bag can cause a out of tune spring pack with a short compression stroke and a violent rebound and a very bouncy loaded ride.

[KATOOM]

Maybe somethings wrong with the trailer. Just because the sticker say 1500 lbs of pin weight doesn't mean that something didn't go wrong during assembly. Maybe the axles were inaccurately mounted. Maybe the pin is far heavier than we all think. I cant imagine having all this problem over something so light.

[N-Trouble]

Agree bags shouldn't be needed with that light 5er unless the truck has previously been leveled when empty.

[Cummins12V98]

You should not need any bags or another support for your RV on your TV.

You are running too much bag pressure for one. Weigh your combo loaded. Run the recommended front tire pressure. Use the weight/inflation chart for your tires and add 5spi to the chart. I will bet you will be at 65 psi or so. Air the bags down to 25psi with the load on. Give all that a try it's free.

[brittsnbirds]

trail-explorer wrote:
Rancho RS9000X shocks. I've owned three sets (not all on the same vehicle)
My next truck will have them too.

Yes, the adjustable. Usually run on 5 when empty, turn up to max when pulling.

I'm running 75# on load range E tires, 40 t0 45# on the bags. More if needed to level out trailer and truck.

[dodgboy]

Are you running max air pressure in your tires?

[trail-explorer]

Rancho RS9000X shocks. I've owned three sets (not all on the same vehicle)
My next truck will have them too.

[time2roll]

I put Bills on my little truck at 100,000 and found no improvement over the OEM.
So either OEM is very good or Bilstein is weak IMO.

Next set will be KYB Monomax as I REALLY liked the KYB Gas Adjust on my old mustang.

[N-Trouble]

JIMNLIN wrote:
I always dump the Bilstiens in favor of the Rancho 9000 as they deliver a better loaded and empty ride for my use. The Bilstiens don't last as long as the 9000 adjustable Rancho's.

Having five one ton DRW trucks on the road I learned lots about what shock brands/type can stand up vs those that didn't.

What???

Replace Rancho with Bilstein, and Bilstein with Rancho in the above statement is what you generally hear out there...

[rhagfo]

JIMNLIN wrote:
I always dump the Bilstiens in favor of the Rancho 9000 as they deliver a better loaded and empty ride for my use. The Bilstiens don't last as long as the 9000 adjustable Rancho's.

Having five one ton DRW trucks on the road I learned lots about what shock brands/type can stand up vs those that didn't.

Interesting, as my Bilstien's have a lifetime guarantee!

[JIMNLIN]

I always dump the Bilstiens in favor of the Rancho 9000 as they deliver a better loaded and empty ride for my use. The Bilstiens don't last as long as the 9000 adjustable Rancho's.

Having five one ton DRW trucks on the road I learned lots about what shock brands/type can stand up vs those that didn't.

[chevor]

I set my ranchos at 6 in front and 7 in the back.
See if running them at different settings help.

[goducks10]

I've used the 4600 and 5100. Currently have 5100 on my 2500 Ram. IIRC the 4600 and 5100 are identical inside. The 5100 has the ability to be put on a leveled or lifted truck. 4600 are for stock suspension. My 5100 are the 0"-2" F or R.
4600 would be the ones for stock.

Here's the skinnyhttp://www.shockwarehouse.com/news/images/bilstein-5100-vs-bilstein-heavy-duty.cfm