Do Trailer Leaf Springs have to be Compressed or Unloaded to Install Lippert Shock Kit

Published 01/15/2016

Products Featured in This Question

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

(87)

$236.98

Lippert Bolt-On Shock Kit w/ Heavy Duty Gas Shocks - 3,500-lb (2-3/8") Axle

(87)

$190.88

Question:

Does the weight capacity of the axle/trailer matter for installing these shocks? In reading through the other questions they mainly are concerned with 7k axles, but my trailer is a 3.5k that sits rather high an off-road camper and bounces around a bit due to the high center of gravity. Ive read through the install instructions. When it tells you to make a measurement perpendicular to the shock mounting lip on the tie plate that is the same distance as...inch and mark the frame for the upper shock mounting bracket, it doesnt make mention of whether this is done with the trailer under full or no load conditions. Does it not matter if the springs are fully or only partially compressed? Just as a note, for my case the camper is near its full load on the current axle so the springs would be fully compressed almost flat.

asked by: Adrian G

Expert Reply:

As long as the axle has a 3 inch diameter you can use the Lippert shock kit # LC281281. There is no weight capacity range for this system.

When installing the shocks the trailer will need to be raised and the axle jacked up to relieve tension on the springs. So you do not want the springs compressed nor stretched by allowing the axle to just hang. This will allow the shocks to travel an appropriate distance as you tow the trailer.

If your trailer axle has a 2-3/8 inch diameter round axle and not a 3 inch then I recommend shock kit # LC281255.

expert reply by: Michael H