Lippert Bolt-On Shock Kit w/ Heavy Duty Gas Shocks - 5,200-lb to 7,000-lb (3") Overslung Axle

First let me say I am being kind to give this kit 3 stars. Usually I have high praise for etailer but not so much in this case. They list this as a HD oil shock and I contacted them and asked why did everyone else list this as a gas shock but not them. They assured me it was oil and they said they even contacted Lippert (not surprised they got it wrong!) Well it is gas, which is a better shock usually but in this case I am not betting on it, they seemed cheap. I installed this kit on the rear axle of my 2016 Surveyor travel trailer and it took some engineering to get it to fit. You would think it would have fit better since it was a Lippert frame on it.
The U-bolts that came with it were too long and I ran out of threads so I used the old ones. The bottom brackets then went on without too much problem. the upper brackets had to be cut and reshaped to get them on the frame because there was a gusset welded on the frame. That was not the fault of Lippert it just happened to be in the wrong place. However getting the right amount of stroke on the shock was just about impossible. If I could have extended it (I couldn't , there was bracket in the way) it would have been more than 45 degrees and if I pulled it back to where it should have been there was only about 1.5 inches of stroke left on the shock, not enough. After a little engineering on the brackets I almost got to the half way point of stroke on the shocks. I was going to order a second kit for the front axle after I got the rear on but I think I will get out the welder and some steel and make my own for the front. I have done that kind of work my whole life and can make a lot better set than Lippert.
With all that being said a lot of folks had no problem putting this kit on and it just depends on your trailer. Just go in with your eyes open to the fact it may or may not fit very well.512073

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Year later, I made my own shock setup using a very common gas shock. The setup is much simple than the Lippert and allows the shock to set better angle to be more efficient. If you are thinking about adding shocks to your trailer look at all the options, do your homework. I have made a second set and will be replacing the Lippert set on the rear axle.

Frank E - 05/22/2019

Well built product installation went well. Good
I strong magnets very useful for marking of upper shock tower. And a angle indicator very helpful in alignment with spring base plate. Front axle spring angle is 35 deg. Rear axle spring angle is 30 deg. This was mounted on a 5th wheel toyhauler565876

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Not too well, Bad clearance problems between the shocks and the tires. If trailer is straight and upright tires have clearance between the shocks. The tire sidewalls rub the shocks after making turns especially when backing up. Turned the shocks upside down to help alleviate the clearance problem and it helped some but does still rub the sidewall to an extent. So as not to end up buying more tires I have removed the shocks. Clearance is down to 14 inch to 12 inch.

Michael C - 09/28/2019

I bought this kit because my trailer would really bounce the truck around when going over bumps and on concrete bridges and so forth. My hope was that the shocks would really control some of the bouncing and make for a better ride. The kit is very straightforward and relatively easy to install. You start by putting the mounting bases on the axle, which requires removing the original bases and u-bolts. The kit comes with all new bolts and nuts. No need to lift the trailer at this point.

Next, I leveled the trailer so that the equalizers were level indicating that the axles had equal weight on them. I then used a floor jack to lift one axle, take the wheel off, and then lower it to get the equalizer level again. I then trial mounted the shocks to the upper mounts. Ideally, you want the shock perpendicular to the mounting base, which puts the shock at about 30* to the frame. To get it oriented as close to that angle as possible, I trimmed off the top corner of the mounting brackets. The instructions tell you to just measure a certain distance from the mounting bases and then drill the holes for the bracket. I tried that on one of the shocks but I found it easiest to mount the shock to the upper bracket then mount the shock to the lower base plate, compress the shock halfway, and mark where the upper bracket would need to be bolted. I used a prick punch to mark the hole centers and then drilled as instructed. The drilling went much faster than I expected and the self tapping bolts actually work really well.

After getting all four mounted, I went for a test ride and I can tell a very big difference in how the truck and trailer handle. A lot of the jarring and bouncing that I was experiencing is now gone. It’s not perfect but it is much better and this solution is a lot cheaper than a rubber pin box. Also, my Jayco fifth wheel trailer came with a Reese sidewinder pin box, which unfortunately has a very odd mounting bolt pattern meaning that I can’t just swap in any of the commonly available pin boxes. The wings that the pin box bolts to on my trailer do not have conventional mounting hole patterns.

I think this kit is high-quality and works really well. I have read that other people have had problems with the shocks wearing out very quickly, so only time will tell. 504699

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The two shock kits came complete with all the parts. No instructions! Had to go one line and search/hunt for info. The plates and U bolts fit well. The brackets that go on the frame would not fit without modification! I ended up driving to a camper dealer that had a toy hauler like mine with factory installed shocks. I took measurements and pics of there toy hauler. I ended up cutting the shock mounting portion off of the bolt on bracket, and then welding that on the frame, so mine now looks just like factory installed shocks. There would not have been enouph space between the tire and shock if I did not modify the bracket. It all ended up fitting perfect, and the shocks make towing very nice. It is day and night differance. I just wish this kit would have just come with the weld on top brackets, it would have saved me time and work, having to cut them off the plate. Overall, I'm happy with the kit I got.1054070

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From the Etrailer side excellent. Processed order fast online. Shipped quickly. Installed fairly easy. But time consuming drilling holes. Measured with tires on then took them off to install brackets. UPS delivered to the wrong house on next block. From the Lippert side, Each Kit bracket have five holes. Both Kits came with 8 screws instead of the needed 10. Instructions showed 10 in the picture. One bracket was rusted. Shipping box was just the right size and weight. The box held together well.563106

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Lippert bolt on shock kit was impossible to install on my RV that is built on a Lippert frame. The slides are in the way of attaching the top brackets. After droping the belly wrap the mechanic found that there was no space available to attach brackets on the inside either.

I have now paid a welder installer to fabricate custom brackets in order to be able to use the shocks. The other components of the kit will go into a recycle bin; waste of money.

My advice is to be certain that your trailer will be able to use the product. It may be good but I will never know.527971

The Lippert Components Bolt-On Shock Kit is not a trailer specific item. It will fit many different trailer styles, but the existing structure of a given trailer may require modifications like you experienced. The product installation guidelines are linked on the product page, Id recommend taking a look at them and then examining the trailer frame where the shocks would install to make sure everything is compatible.

-- Mike L - 06/29/2018

Due to supply chain problems, it took almost three months to get the kit, but ETrailer staff informed me several times of the order status. Excellent customer service!1177322

This is the replacement for my old worn shocks with all the necessary hardware to mount them and the new springs. I'm glad I bought this because I had to cut the u bolts off anyway. My upper mounts were welded to the frame so I didn't use the new ones that came with the set. They fit perfectly. Would have given 5 stars but I had to bend the u bolts slightly to get them to line up with the holes in the plate. Other than that it was easy. No torque recommendations but I used a torque chart from the web. Ride is much better.567831

Kit is a good quality and the instructions are clear. I only needed the upper brackets because my Carriage trailer came with the suspension hung under the axle with a standard auto bracket that has holes for the shocks to be attached in.
Not sure how many heavy trailers are built with the suspension hung under rather than setting up top of the axle but in my case it would have been nice to be able to chose just the upper brackets and shocks because I now have a lot of unused pieces.334276

These shocks are designed for a trailer with an I beam frame. I put them on a 6000 lb camping trailer that has a C channel frame. Even though I had a 3" clearance between the tire and the C channel, I had to significantly modify the upper mount to get the shocks to fit. If you have a C channel frame, your really need about 4" of clearance between the tire and frame. Unfortunately, I did not see any improvement in the way my trailer rode.548217

So far so good, put one side on. Very solid hardware. Did some alterations but that's expected due to your trailer make-up. Can't wait to finish and test drive. Pictures and performance review soon. 540367

The shock kit I installed almost a year ago has been performing perfect, while traveling the trailer is much smoother over defects on the highway. Very satisfied with the product.

Erik - 07/11/2019

Easy kit to install and only need to be a little mechanically inclined.644724

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by: Rod S06/25/2020

Easy to put on, but it took some time to make sure everything was done right. If you have some mechanical skills you can handle this. 821772

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by: Michael09/04/2019

Suspension working fine. Noticed that shock absorbers were rubbing on tires occasionally, don't know if it was on backing up tight turns or what, so I have turned the Shocks upside down for more clearance.
Will know more after my next trip.697807

by: Gary01/03/2019

Very good product
Definitely helps with trailer "bounce"
4 stars only because I had to modify upper mounts for my particular Jayco Eagle HT fifth wheel594616

I did not want to pay an arm and a leg for new shocks for my ATV. I used this kit to add on some shocks. It comes with a variety of fittings so it is not too difficult to do.727752

I have ordered things from e-trailer in the past. I have always talked to someone that knew what they were doing and also knew what I was talking about. That don't happen very often now day's.
That's how it was when I talked to Cathy. I don't know if e-trailer train's their people or not but the people I've talked to really knew their stuff. Thanks e-trailer and a big thank you to Cathy.321087

by: Turtle04/06/2019

etrailer is my go to guy. Priced right, shipped fast, fit right and does the job. What more can you ask?617857

As allways , dealing with e trailer is a breeze. Good prices and prompt shipping.
be a few days before i can get the shock kits on my fifth wheel rv. I dont know why shacoks arent standard on rv campers over 6 k. Shock absorbers help take the hit off the springs . 557578

Smooth easy transaction 1212048

Can't review the product yet as it is not installed...but as far as etrailer.... 5 stars. Fast shipping and updates on tracking until shipment arrived.545190

Arrived quickly. Well made product. Didn't really come with instructions but it is a easy straight forward installation. Service with etrailer always been great.421267

by: Joe09/13/2019

Product did not fit after going through all the work to install. Could not put tires on shocks where in the way703294

Easy install @ 4 hours. WOW it sure smoothed out the trailer ride and added some control when being passed on freeway by big rig. Awesome add335599

by: RICHARD06/03/2019

great product, shocks on a trailer make a big difference in ride 652361