This leaf spring suspension kit prevents shock transfer between axles, increasing traction while braking by as much as 70 percent. Heavy-duty shocks reduce bouncing, chucking and porpoising of your trailer up to 50 percent. Fits 3-1/2" axles.
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Note: Your existing U-bolts may not be long enough for this install. U-bolts also suffer from wear and tear, so we recommend changing the U-bolts during this installation.
Upgrade your current trailer suspension setup with the Comfort Ride system from Roadmaster. The Comfort Ride provides an improved towing experience for your tandem-axle trailer. Unlike traditional equalizers, the center hanger boxes in this system prevent shock transfer between axles, creating a smoother ride. In order to absorb and dissipate any road-induced shock that occurs, heavy-duty shock absorbers are included.
One end of each of the included leaf springs will attach to a hanger welded onto your trailer. The eye of the front spring will attach to your existing front hanger, and the eye of the rear spring will attach to the rear hanger. The flat slipper end of each spring will slide into the provided center hanger box.
This center hanger box differs from a traditional equalizer, which typically connects the 2 springs on a tandem-axle trailer. In a standard equalizer setup, any vibration or road-induced force gets transferred between the axles until it eventually dissipates. This occurs because standard equalizers are built with pivot points at their center. So each time the front axle hits a bump in the road, the movement of that axle causes the spring to jump. This pivots the equalizer, which transfers movement to the rear spring and, in turn, to the rear axle, creating an ongoing wave of motion.
With the Comfort Ride setup, the center hanger sits flush with your trailer frame, preventing any movement of the box itself. This isolates each spring, thus eliminating any connection between the axles. To ensure that each spring is still able to move along with the axle, preventing an overly stiff ride, the flat end of the spring mounts in the center hanger box between a roller and a safety bolt. Having a roller positioned above the flat end will keep the spring from hopping inside of the box. Any up-and-down motion the spring incurs will be translated into front-to-back motion to create a smoother, quieter, more controlled ride.
The independent axle operation will improve handling and braking performance as well. Axle roll up occurs when the trailer's rear tires are lifted off the ground while braking, resulting in weight and traction being lost on the rear tires. With the Comfort Ride system installed, tire traction increases by as much as 70 percent during braking because there is no axle roll up. The result is a safer, more comfortable towing experience.
Instead of transferring shock between axles, the Comfort Ride setup ensures that each spring freely absorbs and dissipates any road-induced force on its own. In order to do this, heavy-duty shocks are included.
The gas-powered springs inside of the shocks' sealed cylinders compress and extend as you drive. The compression and extension of the springs creates enough force to offset the amount of incoming force or vibration that occurs when you tow over rough or uneven terrain.
You'll experience up to a 50 percent reduction in the force that's transferred to your trailer while traveling on paved roads. You'll also receive up to a 76 percent reduction over cobblestones and a 94 percent reduction over gravel roads. This means improved handling, even over potholes and uneven pavement, and the contents of your trailer will stay in place during travel.
Many trailers will have shocks mounted at around a 40-degree angle, but this positioning doesn't compensate very well for the up-and-down movement of the trailer's suspension. Roadmaster's patented adjustable frame brackets are specifically designed to allow these shocks to be mounted at an optimum angle between 20 and 40 degrees. As a result, these shocks will have the leverage necessary to limit up-and-down and lateral movement during both compression and rebound.
This Comfort Ride system has endured rigorous testing to ensure its durability and longevity. This testing includes computerized Finite Element Analysis, which establishes guidelines to ensure superior product quality and safety. Roadmaster also tested these shock absorbers at the Navistar Proving Grounds, a private test facility that provides real-world handling and safety testing. The result is a safe, long-lasting product that you can trust.
Installation of the Comfort Ride system is fairly straightforward.
The eyes of the slipper springs attach to the welded hangers on your trailer's frame using your existing suspension bolts. The center hanger boxes bolt over your existing center hangers and secure in place with the provided hardware. Once the safety bolts and rollers are installed in the center boxes, just slide the slipper ends of the springs in so that they rest between the bolts and the rollers.
To install the shocks, begin by replacing your U-bolt tie plates with the plates included in this kit. You will need to retain your existing U-bolts and nuts for installation. Once the tie plates are installed, bolt the upper mounting brackets to your trailer's frame with the included hardware. Some drilling is required when mounting the brackets to the frame. Finally, attach the shocks between the tie plates and the frame brackets.
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