Installed Mobile Outfitters Shock Kit

[elkhorn98]

Installed yesterday on my 5th wheel and it all worked out. I had to drill 1 new hole in each bracket to work with my subframe. Kit came with everything and shocks.

http://www.themobileoutfitters.com/index.php/suspension-a-alignment-products/151-shock-mount-kits

Hardest part was getting leverage to drill into the frame while sitting on my butt under the trailer. Mount them at 55 degrees. Kit was about $95 per axle.



Lippert install video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bdg-DkcU1B8&feature=youtube_gdata_player

[rhagfo]

youreckon wrote:
did you compress the shock halfway in determining mounting poin. All the videos are gone now.

If I remember correctly, I fully compressed the shocks, and measured length, let them expand and measured again then took half the difference, and compressed that amount.

[Hitcher]

I installed my shock kit last fall. It's nice to get to your campsite and still have your clothes on the hangers. I had a little trouble with my dinning table bouncing over to my frig. but not any more. The shocks are great!

[elkhorn98]

I think so but it's been awhile since I did this. The videos shouls still be on you tube somewhere.

[youreckon]

did you compress the shock halfway in determining mounting poin. All the videos are gone now.

[JBarca]

elkhorn98 wrote:

JBarca wrote:
Elk,

Nice job. I'll bet it rides a whole better. I agree with the other poster, all leaf spring campers should have shocks.

I see 3 upgrades in your pics,

1. The shocks
2. The EZ flex
3. LT tires

Good for you! I did mine in stages too. Now you just need the heavy gage brake wire and self adjusting brake up grade....

For folks following the shocks, here are mine. Had to make the brackets
Adding TT Shock Absorbers (Long/lots of pics)

Enjoy your new riding camper

John

John, Thanks for your threads on the ez flex and shocks. You inspired me to make these upgrades and helped a lot of people on this forum.

Have you upgraded your brake wire and brakes?

Thanks for the good words. Glad the posts help. On the brakes upgrade, Yes, I have done this when I did my axle correction.

Here are the self adjusting brakes Dexter Self Adjusting Brakes (long W/pics and details)

And here is the wire upgrade
Independent Brake Wire Feed Upgrade

These were all steps to make it to getting TT running gear as best I can with what I had to work with. Short of going to disk brakes, the self adjusters are it along with proper wiring to get full amperage to the brakes

I did these 2 upgrades when I put my new axles in after the axle alignment saga I had. TT axle alignment & install - Detailed (long lot's of pics)

I think you know of the LT tire converion one. I am very glad I did this as I'm sure you are too. ST225/75R15 to LT225/75R16 Conversion

And the hanger upgrade, you had that fixed with your camper lift. They did a good job too I can see.
TT Spring Hanger Stiffening (Long, lots of pics)

Hopefully some day these upgrades will be offered as standard equipment. Or at least offered as an upgrade... The rubber equalizer, schocks and self adjusintg brakes are starting to show up as a selling feature on some brands. It is still hit and miss. Even the 16" tire upgrade on some of the 10,000# trailers and up asre starting to show up.

I did these upgrades as the plan is to keep the camper for a good while yet.

Have a good holiday. We head out this afternoon.

John

[elkhorn98]

JBarca wrote:
Elk,

Nice job. I'll bet it rides a whole better. I agree with the other poster, all leaf spring campers should have shocks.

I see 3 upgrades in your pics,

1. The shocks
2. The EZ flex
3. LT tires

Good for you! I did mine in stages too. Now you just need the heavy gage brake wire and self adjusting brake up grade....

For folks following the shocks, here are mine. Had to make the brackets
Adding TT Shock Absorbers (Long/lots of pics)

Enjoy your new riding camper

John

John, Thanks for your threads on the ez flex and shocks. You inspired me to make these upgrades and helped a lot of people on this forum.

Have you upgraded your brake wire and brakes?

[JBarca]

Elk,

Nice job. I'll bet it rides a whole better. I agree with the other poster, all leaf spring campers should have shocks.

I see 3 upgrades in your pics,

1. The shocks
2. The EZ flex
3. LT tires

Good for you! I did mine in stages too. Now you just need the heavy gage brake wire and self adjusting brake up grade....

For folks following the shocks, here are mine. Had to make the brackets
Adding TT Shock Absorbers (Long/lots of pics)

Enjoy your new riding camper

John

[93Cobra2771]

Very nice!

[rhagfo]

Well Elkhorn98, if your experance is anything like mine you will see it as some of the best money you spent on your trailer!!!
This in conjunction with the Bilstien's on the TV the rig rides soooo smooth, had to travel 3+ mile stretch of county road the was very old bumpy concrete, could feel the bumps in the truck, but zero chucking from the fiver!!!

[elkhorn98]

I put on the Dexter EZ Flex equalizers and the cross members were added when I had a subframe installed to get adequate clearance with my new truck. I had it done at a local tractor trailer repair company.

[Slowmover]

Thanks for the thread. Shock absorbers should be OEM on every leaf-sprung RV.

I see you also have "improved" spring equalizers . . I'd imagine that the combined retrofits should offer performance changes that are noticeable.

Was the crossbeam between the equalizer mounts an OEM piece, or owner-added?

I need to add new shocks to mine (originals are likely what is in place) and, if I change to an improved equalizer may need a longer shock absorber, so looking at your kit install was welcomed.



.

[rhagfo]

rhagfo wrote:

Thats_Ok wrote:
Looks good!
Know what ya mean about drilling with no leverage.

Anxious to hear how the coach rides with the shocks installed.

X2
Have some plumbing issues to deal with 1st for mine. Nice looking install

tvman44 wrote:
Thanks elkhorn,
I was curious because I too have a I Beam frame. Will have to look into this as I have been interested in adding shocks. 🙂

Well got mine installed today, I beam frame, brackets are designed for the I beam frame.

Took a bit of time as I did need to deal with plumbing issues both the galley drain and the gas line down the inside of the frame. Slide-out hardware prevented placing on the outside of the frame.

Needed to move galley drain line out a bit near the drain, still need to get a straighter line on, that will come later, didn't start this project until about 1:30 today.



Replace the 2" nipple at the front of the gas line with a 8" to get clearance at the edge of the frame rail. Gas rated yellow Teflon tape makes for good seals.



I will know Wednesday how they work, traveling to Bend, OR for daughters Horse show.

[elkhorn98]

Updated the photo. This kit should work with a i beam frame since lippert makes most of the frames. Check out the video link i posted. If you can weld then i would recommend welding the upper bracket. It should save some time. I don't have a welder...I guess I should get one. It wasn't a very comfortable position to drill 12 holes with no leverage.

[tvman44]

Thanks elkhorn,
I was curious because I too have a I Beam frame. Will have to look into this as I have been interested in adding shocks. 🙂