A question about shocks

[doorgunner]

I'm thinking that the only place you can get shocks for the torsion axles is Airstream. Anyone know the answer to this before I devote a bunch of time at NAPA and the other parts places. Thanks in advance.

[Action]

Depending on year and model shocks can be mounted vertically or horizontally. If they are mount horizontally those shocks are an A/S only item.

My '66 has vertical shocks. I did not replace them with A/S shocks.

Do not use vertical designed shocks for a horizontal application. They will not work because the valving internally will not allow the shock to dampen as they were designed.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Action

[LI Pets]

DG, if there the horz type, NAPA can't get them, you need to pay the $30 ea at AS.

[doorgunner]

yup horizontals , thanks for the info

[Anon]

Originally Posted by doorgunner

I'm thinking that the only place you can get shocks for the torsion axles is Airstream. Anyone know the answer to this before I devote a bunch of time at NAPA and the other parts places. Thanks in advance.

They are not a necessary part of the axle's performance.
If you want to replace them go ahead.
If I did my axle replacement again I would leave them off.
I used a NAPA RV shock and it works wonderfully, if it does anything at all in the first place.
I have nearly 8,000 miles on my new axle and shocks. A good portion of it is over gravel and washboard roads in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.
My brother replaced the axle on his Argosy and did not put the shocks on it. They really only give you added dampening and, (at least on the smaller trailers), I see no useful purpose for them.
FWIW, the Airstream only shock is a Gabriel. If you search the forums you will find the Gabriel number. Here in Michigan I could have ordered them from Murray's Discount Auto. I looked into it for grins when I replaced the shocks on my Safari.

[eikel1we]

We recently bought new shocks from INLAND RV. Have your AS serial number ready when ordering and they will send you exactly what you need. They were around $30 - 35 ea., fast service, correct shocks, answer Q.s and INLAND is a sponsor here. No, this in not a paid adverstisement - just our positive experience with Inland.
(After the shock replacement) Ike forgot to remove several items from the counter and made a 30+ mi round trip to the camper center and the only thing that moved was a roll of paper towels that fell off. The before story would have stuff bouncing around and dishes dancing in the overhead. I would have to conclude it made a real difference.

suz

[Action]

The horizontal shocks would be available at your nearest authorized A/S dealer. Getting NAPA shocks as suggested above for a horizontal application would likely be a waste of money. I would suggest either no shocks (for a less smooth ride) or A/S shocks. Do not waste your money on others.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Action

[Anon]

Originally Posted by Action

The horizontal shocks would be available at your nearest authorized A/S dealer. Getting NAPA shocks as suggested above for a horizontal application would likely be a waste of money. I would suggest either no shocks (for a less smooth ride) or A/S shocks. Do not waste your money on others.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Action

As stated below/above.....
The NAPA shock works fine. If it does anything at all.
What waste of money? It has been on my trailer for 2 years and 8,000 miles. I think that is proof enough.
As I also stated, the shock is a Gabriel and you can get the Gabriel number from Gabriel.
They are not an Airstream exclusive, as I had stated below/above. You can most likely get them from nearly any auto parts store that will order from their Gabriel supplier. As I had stated below/above this is all FACT.
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<Lou

[LI Pets]

I tried to gt that number and couldn't, do you have it?

[Action]

What you didn't say Lou was the application .... horizontal or vertical. NAPA shocks are designed for vertical applications only. That is what I used in 2002 (#94005) for my Overlander since the shocks are mounted vertically. The NAPA shock will have little dampening value in a horizontal application because the internal valves would not work as designed and would not be worth the effort or cost to install in a horizontal position.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Action

[Phil and/or Sue]

Originally Posted by pattersontoo

...
FWIW, the Airstream only shock is a Gabriel. If you search the forums you will find the Gabriel number. Here in Michigan I could have ordered them from Murray's Discount Auto. I looked into it for grins when I replaced the shocks on my Safari.

Here is the post that shows actual part numbers: http://www.airforums.com/forum...91-post15.html

Thanks for your work in the past looking up and posting this info!

[Action]

Then there is this thread.
http://www.airforums.com/forum...tml#post227356
Nice links to Monroe contained in the thread.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Action

[ALANSD]

so which of these works for horizontal apps??

[Action]

None.
>>>>>>>>>>>>Action

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by Action

None.
>>>>>>>>>>>>Action

This subject has been beat to death.

One more time.....

Airstream's "horizontal" shocks do not have an equal.

If you need them, they are available from some Airstream dealers.

Additionally, a vertical shock, is absolutely useless in a horizontal position.

For anyone to say that a vertical shock works just fine horizontally, is absolutely wrong.

All Torsion axle manufacturers say shocks are not needed.

Those same manufacturers did not design or build an Airstream.

Accordingly, if shocks are specified by Airstream, then for heavens sake, use them.

They certainly are cheap enough, far cheaper than those on cars.

Attempting to redesign an Airstream's running gear set up is playing with trouble.

If you bought the trailer to enjoy, then cover your bases by doing what Airstream did, or better, certainly not less.

Andy

[ALANSD]

This has been beaten to death on other threads, so lets agree to say case closed... OK??