Shocks needed

FI

Firstfiver-5TH

Advanced Member
Joined
Apr 6, 2021
Messages
30
Location
Wooster OH
2002 Coachmen Chaparral has shock mounts. I can't find any shocks to fit. Checked all the auto parts places, local rv places. Emailed Coachmen, no response. 3 questions :
1. Do shocks reduce chucking?
2. What else do they do?
3. Where can I find them?
Thanks
 
Most chucking can be prevented by increasing your pin weight. We have no knowledge of your tow vehicle, not the model length/weight of your RV. Hard to help you without this. And the brand of pin box.
 
Truck is 2000 F250 crew cab 4wd 7.3 diesel. Hitch is B&W turnover ball gooseneck in bed (for horse trailer) with B&W Companion 5th wheel hitch. Lippert pinbox. Trailer weighs 7100 lb dry, 9570 GVWR. I have not weighed the rig yet. We usually travel with waste tanks 3/4 full (forward of axles) and freshwater tank 1/4 full (over the axles). Chucking is much reduced with the Companion vs the gooseneck adapter that I had on the trailer before.
 
Most shocks for fivers that can be equipped with them are Monroe 555001. Very common item if used. But need to verify the compressed length to be sure not too long, and extended length to be sure not too short. Don't expect any great improvement in towing if you put them on. Need to make sure the rubber spring in the Morryde pin box is not the culprit--could be aged out/split.
 
To check the Morryde pinbox, hitch up and have someone put truck in forward and then reverse--watch the movement of the pin box before the trailer moves. Should be very little give before the trailer moves. If seems excessive, the rubber in the pin box probably needs to be replaced.
 
What little bit I know of the chucking issue is that it seems that the "mating" of one's fifth wheel hitch with one's pin box is the issue. I suppose new shocks might help with that, but I don't know for sure.


A couple of links to maybe help you.


E-trailer Site Explanation of Chucking



Lippert Article on Chucking


At that Lippert article, I noticed that they showed a TrailAir pin box. We have a Ford F450 and a Mobile Suites 38-foot fifth wheel with the TrailAir suspension and TrailAir pin box with Tri-Glide. The Tri-Glide was/is touted to be beneficial for reducing chucking. It may be a good thing as we seldom ever have an issue with chucking. The only time we had a bad issue was on an Oklahoma freeway (turnpike) where they didn't build their elevated sections very well. Those transitions from one section to another really caused violent chucking, enough so that we had to slow down to 45 miles per hour to eliminate it.


Terry
 
So I guess I'd say my chucking is tolerable, and I'm not sure spending another $1500 on a new pin box is worth it, since I'm not sure how much difference it would make. Anybody ever heard of possibly trying out one of those TrailAir units to see the difference pre-purchase?
 
This is something of a comparison of different pin boxes in the form of a YouTube video with the RV Doctor using a bobble-head to show the differences.




Terry
 
My question was actually about shocks for my 5th wheel. But when the truck needs shocks next I'll certainly look into Bilsteins. Thanks
 
I'm no expert on shocks, but would it be possible that Bilstein makes shocks that would fit the fifth wheel? I'm thinking that some have done that.



Maybe someone else can answer with more knowledge.


Terry
 
terry and jo said:
I'm no expert on shocks, but would it be possible that Bilstein makes shocks that would fit the fifth wheel? I'm thinking that some have done that.



Maybe someone else can answer with more knowledge.


Terry
Click to expand...
My shocks would be really short. The distance between mounting locations are only Front 8.75, rear 9.125 inches.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

New posts

Try RV LIFE Pro Free for 7 Days

  • New Ad-Free experience on this RV LIFE Community.
  • Plan the best RV Safe travel with RV LIFE Trip Wizard.
  • Navigate with our RV Safe GPS mobile app.
  • and much more...
Try RV LIFE Pro Today
Back
Top Bottom