I have a 73 ambassadore that i cut and shortened to a 10 ft body length.My question is do I need to put shocks under it or not it seems like a little bit of an overkill to me but I figured I would ask the experts about my dilemma.Im posting some pics so you will know what I have.Thanks a million in advance.
You don't NEED shocks. It will operate without them, but much better with, and safer with.
shocks keep the trailer body lean/roll to a minimum if you have to change lanes fast or corner quickly. there was a video last year that showed how an Airstream handled in high speed avoidance manuvers.
A standard SOB about rolled over during the second half of the manuver.
Shocks keep the springs on the inside side of the cornering trailer from
Pushing (springing back) to fast and hard, that results in bouncing the inside wheels off the ground. usually in the second half of the "S" turn.
That's a beautiful little trailer. On the subject of shocks, long ago I owned a conventional trailer and couldn't understand why the drawers always were open after a drive. Also, sometimes the cushions would be on the floor. And on certain highways, the trailer just hopped along. After I had shock absorbers added, all of those problems went away.
Strictly speaking, you might not NEED shocks, but I wouldn't be without them.
regards
I have a 73 ambassadore that i cut and shortened to a 10 ft body length.
...
Im posting some pics so you will know what I have.Thanks a million in advance.
But what happened to the rest of the trailer?
Shocks would be good, but which ones? There is so little weight compared to the original.
__________________ Phil and/or Sue (with Gus, Penny and Roger)
(Buffett RIP 9/15/08) 1983 31' Sovereign 1973 31' Sovereign (project) '01 Dodge Ram 2500 Quad LWB 2x4 6sp Cummins Turbo Diesel
AIR 1753
You may not need shocks, but with that big 'ole airconditioner on the top of that cool little 'stream, going inside after a hike should be a thermal shock. Seriously with the original suspension you will either have one rough ride or you need to put in about 1000 lbs of ballast to get the torsion axle to work.
Thanks the rest of the camper is on the ground at my house I call it my little bubble it has a tendacy to sway with my suzuki samurai hooked to it at 55.I think my samurai has the heart of a lion but not the size to keep the camper still.
Thanks the rest of the camper is on the ground at my house I call it my little bubble it has a tendacy to sway with my suzuki samurai hooked to it at 55.I think my samurai has the heart of a lion but not the size to keep the camper still.
I suspect the reason you have a sway, is that the tongue weight is inadequate.
In looking at your photo's the axle is mounted forward of the side centerline, suggesting a very low tongue weight.
That rig should have a tongue weight of at least 350 pounds or so, and then you can utilize a load equalizing hitch for proper towing.
If you are now towing with just a ball, then that's another reason for the sway.
I have a small car and a small Airstream. Sway at highway speeds was common until some wise Airstream serviceman told that I needed to level my Bambi. He wanted the roof line to be horizontal with the road. Using my airshocks on the 1965 Mustang to achieve the level. Speed and sway are not an issue. Now I need to fix my sagging axel.
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I have a 73 ambassadore that i cut and shortened to a 10 ft body length.My question is do I need to put shocks under it or not it seems like a little bit of an overkill to me but I figured I would ask the experts about my dilemma.Im posting some pics so you will know what I have.Thanks a million in advance.
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