Shockers for Camper Trailer

Submitted: Wednesday, Mar 29, 2006 at 17:10

ThreadID: 32314 Views:2926 Replies:10 FollowUps:4

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Barnesy

Gday, Do you really need shockers on a CT? I have a Heavy Duty off road Cameron CT. It has a 50mm square axle, 8 leaf springs but no shockers.

Would shocks make much of a difference?

What would be the best way to go about manufacturing mounts for them?

At what angle and where abouts on the axle should they be mounted?

Thanks
Barnesy

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Reply By: Moggs - Wednesday, Mar 29, 2006 at 17:19

Wednesday, Mar 29, 2006 at 17:19

I don't think they are necessary. If you have leaf suspension why not just fit some rebounders?

I looked into getting shocks put on when I got my trailer made - was told that unless you have them built into the trailer tub to get them near vertical then they wouldn't really work well. Not sure if that is true or not - and I suppose there would be specialised shocks out there for the application.

AnswerID: 163680

Reply By: Notso - Wednesday, Mar 29, 2006 at 17:31

Wednesday, Mar 29, 2006 at 17:31

I had an O'Briens and it had no shockers, just rebound springs.

John O'Brien reckons they are unnecessary, just something else to break

AnswerID: 163684

Reply By: Redeye - Wednesday, Mar 29, 2006 at 17:36

Wednesday, Mar 29, 2006 at 17:36

My Aussie Swag came standard with them. Do not know what effect they have but you never know the trailer is hitched.

Redeye

AnswerID: 163687

Follow Up By: bigcol - Wednesday, Mar 29, 2006 at 22:42

Wednesday, Mar 29, 2006 at 22:42

Same with that little Bush Wacker that Gary H and i have.
Compared to the red one it hardly moves when you're towing it

FollowupID: 418538

Reply By: Member - Allen R (QLD) - Wednesday, Mar 29, 2006 at 17:37

Wednesday, Mar 29, 2006 at 17:37

Barnesy,

I have a similar setup on my off-road Customline CT and have driven the Gibb River Road, the Tanami, all the roads round Alice Springs since 2000 without shockers without any trouble. I would suggest you don'r need them. I don't have them but have thought about PolyAirs, but considered them too expensive for the benefits..

Allen

AnswerID: 163688

Reply By: Crackles - Wednesday, Mar 29, 2006 at 20:20

Wednesday, Mar 29, 2006 at 20:20

No you don't need shocks on a trailer Barnsey but yes they do make a big difference. Having closely followed many trailers both outback & high country the ones with shocks ride far smoother & from what I've seen sustain less damage as a result. With nothing to control the rebound a trailer may bounce 3 or 4 times after every big bump they hit & often sway around alot more as well.
I don't think however that it's as simple as just bolting on a set of shocks to an exhisting trailer. I'd suggest speaking with a suspension expert to supply the correct shock to match the spring rate on your set up. Most small engineering workshops would be able to fabricate up suitable mounting brackets.
Cheers Craig.........

AnswerID: 163714

Reply By: jon p qld - Wednesday, Mar 29, 2006 at 20:48

Wednesday, Mar 29, 2006 at 20:48

G'day Barnesy
I have the same CT as you, I've had it since 2000 and never felt the need for shock absorbers, it has rebound leaf springs which I assume yours does as well. I Haven't done any hard core off road work with it but for general corrugated dirt roads it rides very well.

regards Jon

AnswerID: 163725

Reply By: Member- Rox (WA) - Thursday, Mar 30, 2006 at 00:51

Thursday, Mar 30, 2006 at 00:51

I traveled or 11.5 months No shockies & broke 6 leaf springs. Now sold the camper & a bit shy of them.
Springs arn't springs, you definitly need rebounders.

AnswerID: 163784

Follow Up By: Brew69(SA) - Thursday, Mar 30, 2006 at 05:27

Thursday, Mar 30, 2006 at 05:27

What sort of springs? The company manufacturing my camper said the only two spring failures they had fixed were due to roll overs.And this is after many years in the trade.

FollowupID: 418564

Follow Up By: Member- Rox (WA) - Thursday, Mar 30, 2006 at 17:28

Thursday, Mar 30, 2006 at 17:28

I'll go into more detail direct with you by member message. Just so I don't ofend.

FollowupID: 418710

Reply By: Member - Beatit (QLD) - Thursday, Mar 30, 2006 at 08:28

Thursday, Mar 30, 2006 at 08:28

G'day Barnesy,

There was a lot of discussion about this on the Camper Trailer web site a few years back. The bottom line from that was that ExplorOz member Collyn R explained in detail why they are of benefit. My memory is not to be totally relied on here but the role of the shocky is to convert the the spring reaction to heat and dissepate this heat as opposed to the trailer bouncing all over the place and potentially breaking something.

It makes a difference.

Kind regards

AnswerID: 163817

Reply By: Member - Michael O (NSW) - Thursday, Mar 30, 2006 at 12:29

Thursday, Mar 30, 2006 at 12:29

I picked up a second hand Ranger Campomatic yesterday.

My old man has lent it to us for a run out to Innamincka in the school holidays to replace my old leaf sprung CT. The new one has shocks (although they are at a bizarre angle and I can't see how they would do any good...)

I did notice driving it home yesterday though that it certainly bounces less than the old one did. I hardly saw it in the rear view mirror whereas my old one bobbed up in the mirror regularly!!!

Wonder if that will stop the old bucket-with-a-lid-add-washing-powder-and-water-bouncing-around-on-the-corrugations-washing-machine from working???

AnswerID: 163863

Reply By: Shaker - Thursday, Mar 30, 2006 at 13:10

Thursday, Mar 30, 2006 at 13:10

I would have htought it would be obvious that they would be better with shock absorbers, try taking them off your vehicle!
I also think most camper trailers are way over sprung with leaf packs of 8 or 9 spring leaves, 5 is ample.

AnswerID: 163874

Follow Up By: Member- Rox (WA) - Thursday, Mar 30, 2006 at 17:41

Thursday, Mar 30, 2006 at 17:41

I am not shore of your experance, but mine is 11.5 months on the road, 45,000kms aprox 50% off road. Anne beadell Hwy,Connie Sue, Great Central, telegraph track from Isrelite bay to Eyre, Strezlecki Tk, Burtsville Inside & out side Tks, Vic Hi country Bulltown Spur, Billy goats, Butcher country tk, Cape York OTL, Savannah Way + a lot lot lot more.

I started with the 9 rated at 1150kgs, then to 10 leafs @ 1240kgs, then 6 & 5 leaves. All were 45mm double eye 710mm centre to centre. I broke them all even @ 15psi and at <20kph in Boggy hole NT. Even had to weld the schackels on twice.

I believe that my camper was nose heavy.
And yes with varing degress of weight, My stuff + 140Lt water + Boat down to 60lt water & no boat thereby reducing the load 140kgs.

FollowupID: 418714