Suspension Enhancement for 5th Wheel Trailer to Reduce the Effects of Road Surface Irregularities

Updated 03/15/2016 | Published 03/12/2016

Products Featured in This Question

Convert-A-Ball Cushioned 5th-Wheel-to-Gooseneck Adapter - 12" to 16" Tall - 20,000 lbs

(984)

$585.17

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

(81)

$187.43

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

(81)

$218.70

Question:

I have a Dodge 2500 RAM diesel HD heavy duty manual 5-speed Reese hitch, 20Klb Montana, 32, Lippert 1621 pin box with no absorption device: Presently I hit concrete edges, speed bumps, the slightest of whatever and it seems to send cyclical shocks between the vehicles like worn out shocks that allow excessive bouncing. I am going to install leveling air springs bags on the truck and Bilstein HD shocks. I plan to change the pin box for a Trailaire or Airborne, not sure of the model of either yet, but I know this will help some. Id also like to add shocks to the trailer, but cant find a mod kit, cause some kind of mod there cant help but improve things the way it bounces around as seen in the review mirror. It seems that most of the jarring is up and down, but its probably both bounce in the vertical and horizontal, back and forth. I know its not excessive play in the pin/hitch because this has always been a problem since they were new, so relatively speaking there hasnt been a lot of RVn because it is such a poor ride about time to fix it or junk it!! Do you have any suggestions, for any of the above? PS: and yeah I know, my wife says I have a problem with brevity .........

asked by: Herb W

Expert Reply:

We do offer suspension enhancement kits for trailers. These use oil shocks to dampen and control the motion of the leaf springs in a trailer's suspension to reduce the effects of road surface irregularities.

Lippert, which manufactures about 90-percent of the trailer fames throughout the RV industry, offers two bolt-on kits that work with both slipper springs and double-eye springs. Their kit # LC281281 fits 3-inch diameter axles. Kit # LC281255 fits 2-3/8-inch diameter axles. Both are USA-made products.

One of these kits, along with a cushioned pin box, should give you a noticeable improvement in ride quality. An article on such pin boxes is linked for you.

expert reply by: Adam R