If the shocks were binding, there'd be marks on the shock tubes, and there are none. If a person were to look closely at the geometry the wheels would have to move sideways at a substantial tilt for shocks to touch anything. I've looked at the wheels in a tight turn on hard pavement and the rims barely tilt but the tires are definitely distorted a lot. Shocks are mounted immediately above the bottom flange which is where the suspension would pivot left/right and the shock would remain approx. parallel to the rim. Just not possible for shocks to bind. No way, no how...
As well, the installation drawing I made up was sent to Lippert for approval and nothing was asked to be changed. The suspension shop however, changed the design on their own without asking anyone.
Look at how Northwood installs their shocks as in above photo. Exact same arrangement except that the top of the shock is mounted even higher than ours by 2-3 inches. If any shocks are going to bind in a turn, it would be shocks on Northwood trailers. But being as they are a highly respected manufacturer and their frames are off-road certified, I'm sure they have engineered it to work under the most strenuous of circumstances without binding. Also notice how they have a 3" wide (or so) piece of flat steel welded to the top and bottom flange of the I-beam. That is EXACTLY what I specified - partly as a web stiffener and partly as something to mount the shocks to, except someone changed that on me.
No harm done? Now have to replace a tire, have to pay someone to fix this properly plus have to go have words with the dealer.
The whole point of starting this thread was to show how bad a professional suspension shop's welding and work can be and what the consequences could have been, not to argue where shocks should be installed. Done, done, done...
