Bolt on shocks or cushioned equalizers for travel trailer?

None.

Leave well enough alone.

Extra parts to break.

Have a "handling issue"?

If so, look elsewhere, trailer does not "need" shocks or special parts for best towing and handling provided you have correct tongue weight to trailer weight ratio.

10%-15% tongue weight, run it up to the max of 15% and trailer will handle plenty fine without extra parts that can let you down.

x2

The last trailer I had, a 30 ft. 6500lb Coleman I put the Dexter EZ Flex upgrade on. It came with the Nylon bushings that were worn out after 2 years and left the suspension sloppy and noisy. After the upgrade install things were quiet and it towed much better. That cost at the time around 165.00.

Shocks should be on any vehicle with springs for the purpose of dampening motion. Only the better trailers come with shocks, the rest are built cheaper knowing that most buyers won't so much as look under a trailer. The cushioned equalizers are worthwhile and reduce the harshness of metal on metal contact. I use both and added wet bolts as well.

Look at the Joyrider shock kit - Joy Ride Kit

I replaced my equalizers with the Dexter EZ Flex kit along with bronze bushing and wet bolts. One of the best mods/repairs I did to my trailer. The old suspension was always harsh. You could feel Avery crack in the road transfer to the TV. After I did the kit I didn't feel anything transfer back to the TV. Bridge expansion joints were just soaked up. The trailer even behaved much differently. No more loose feeling trailer suspension. The nylon bushings were worn out, but the new EX Flex equalizers were a huge inmorovemnt. If I ever go back to a trailer I will definitely install the same kit.

Moryde. Video

dodge guy wrote:
I replaced my equalizers with the Dexter EZ Flex kit along with bronze bushing and wet bolts. One of the best mods/repairs I did to my trailer. The old suspension was always harsh. You could feel Avery crack in the road transfer to the TV. After I did the kit I didn't feel anything transfer back to the TV. Bridge expansion joints were just soaked up. The trailer even behaved much differently. No more loose feeling trailer suspension. The nylon bushings were worn out, but the new EX Flex equalizers were a huge inmorovemnt. If I ever go back to a trailer I will definitely install the same kit.

You NEED a "better" tow vehicle if you can "feel every bridge expansion joint", not a slapped on aftermarket "fix".

Yes, at one time when I first found this forum I got caught up in the hype of trailer suspension "upgrades" and did a lot of research.. Oh the money I found I could spend :E on supposed "fixes"..

First, there was the trailer tires should be balanced for more smoothness.. So I spent extra money on getting them balanced much to the delight of the tire shop (they had funny looks on their face but gladly took the money)..

Result.. NO DIFFERENCE IN RIDE OR HANDLING.

Trailer handled and felt fine before I whipped out an extra $10 per tire, handled and felt the same after balancing.. I was $40 poorer and a bit wisened up..

Strike 1

So, then I read about shocks..

Yeah, the wisdom I gained from the tire balancing debacle smashed a 2x4 across my head to waken me up that the trailer handles and feels OK (like a trailer) as is and with the cost of conversion looking pretty ugly I stepped back and reasoned that even IF they could change much of the handling it would be so far back the trailer tongue that it wasn't worth handing boat loads of money over to find out that it didn't change anything.. So, I SAVED myself a lot of money and hassle and didn't bother.

Strike 2

Wet bolts.. Yeah, I realized early on that installing a bolt that has a HOLE DRILLED THROUGH the center is a disaster just waiting to happen.. You HAVE compromised the strength of said bolt when you hog out the center of said bolt.. Yes, there HAS been folks who HAVE discovered the downfall of less bolt strength with wet bolts when they suddenly without warning shear out..

I will take ALL of the strength from my suspension parts as possible and you ONLY get that from having 100% of that bolt..

Strike 3

Game over..

Cushioned equalizers.. Yeah, unless they have considerably MORE material than the OEM standard issue there is a good chance you have less strength and now you are putting in rubber or nylon plastic that can and will deteriorate..

Overtime suckers bet on more aftermarket gadgets that are not needed if you have a decent tow vehicle.

And yes, I HAVE towed with a lesser tow vehicle, handling and stability was always living on the edge.. I learned that you are much better off to not take the max of the tow vehicles capabilities and start with a bit more robust platform.. Much cheaper over all when you do not have to buy and install all kind of after market fixes..

All the fixes above together you can spend $3k easily and never notice a difference.. $3K can pay for the extra upgrade from 1/2 ton to 3/4 ton..

Gdetrailer wrote:

dodge guy wrote:
I replaced my equalizers with the Dexter EZ Flex kit along with bronze bushing and wet bolts. One of the best mods/repairs I did to my trailer. The old suspension was always harsh. You could feel Avery crack in the road transfer to the TV. After I did the kit I didn't feel anything transfer back to the TV. Bridge expansion joints were just soaked up. The trailer even behaved much differently. No more loose feeling trailer suspension. The nylon bushings were worn out, but the new EX Flex equalizers were a huge inmorovemnt. If I ever go back to a trailer I will definitely install the same kit.

You NEED a "better" tow vehicle if you can "feel every bridge expansion joint", not a slapped on aftermarket "fix".

Yes, at one time when I first found this forum I got caught up in the hype of trailer suspension "upgrades" and did a lot of research.. Oh the money I found I could spend :E on supposed "fixes"..

First, there was the trailer tires should be balanced for more smoothness.. So I spent extra money on getting them balanced much to the delight of the tire shop (they had funny looks on their face but gladly took the money)..

Result.. NO DIFFERENCE IN RIDE OR HANDLING.

Trailer handled and felt fine before I whipped out an extra $10 per tire, handled and felt the same after balancing.. I was $40 poorer and a bit wisened up..

Strike 1

So, then I read about shocks..

Yeah, the wisdom I gained from the tire balancing debacle smashed a 2x4 across my head to waken me up that the trailer handles and feels OK (like a trailer) as is and with the cost of conversion looking pretty ugly I stepped back and reasoned that even IF they could change much of the handling it would be so far back the trailer tongue that it wasn't worth handing boat loads of money over to find out that it didn't change anything.. So, I SAVED myself a lot of money and hassle and didn't bother.

Strike 2

Wet bolts.. Yeah, I realized early on that installing a bolt that has a HOLE DRILLED THROUGH the center is a disaster just waiting to happen.. You HAVE compromised the strength of said bolt when you hog out the center of said bolt.. Yes, there HAS been folks who HAVE discovered the downfall of less bolt strength with wet bolts when they suddenly without warning shear out..

I will take ALL of the strength from my suspension parts as possible and you ONLY get that from having 100% of that bolt..

Strike 3

Game over..

Cushioned equalizers.. Yeah, unless they have considerably MORE material than the OEM standard issue there is a good chance you have less strength and now you are putting in rubber or nylon plastic that can and will deteriorate..

Overtime suckers bet on more aftermarket gadgets that are not needed if you have a decent tow vehicle.

And yes, I HAVE towed with a lesser tow vehicle, handling and stability was always living on the edge.. I learned that you are much better off to not take the max of the tow vehicles capabilities and start with a bit more robust platform.. Much cheaper over all when you do not have to buy and install all kind of after market fixes..

All the fixes above together you can spend $3k easily and never notice a difference.. $3K can pay for the extra upgrade from 1/2 ton to 3/4 ton..

Im not going to argue with you, because you are just wanting to be argumentative. Im not going there.

I towed with an Excursion so I had plenty of tow vehicle. If you don't want to inspect your suspension fine. I know what can and will fail.

Yes the EZ Flex equalizers do make a difference. the wet bolts are a great investment if you like to properly maintain a trailer suspension......when was the last time you inspected the spring bushings?

Balanced tires over the life of the tire is better for them and the wheel bearings!

I guess if you tow a poorly maintined trailer with a vehicle that is double the capability then its safe to do so!

OK, like I said im not going to argue with someone that doesn't know the physics involved.

I'm 100% with Dodge guy....

The EZ Flex do eliminate any road shock that previously was felt through the trailer hitch. It wasn't uncomfortable before, but it's gone now. The main reason I did it was for washboard roads, which would make screws back out all over the trailer. It fixed that problem. More important, my stock spring shackles were worn to the point only 1/8" of material was left. It was ready to fail at any moment. The EZ Flex hardware is simple better.

My trailer came with shocks from the factory. Shocks don't make a ride "smoother". They dampen rebound, or bounce. They work for that. It's part of the off-road package that Northwoods includes on all their chassis, including ORV trailers.

So for me, I won't own another trailer without both.