Jarring ride, do I need shocks?

[murfster]

OK, my husband and I have 'debated' for about a year now on whether our '76 Sovereign needs shocks. We emergency evacuated from N.Padre Island beach during an extra high tide and I stayed in back to 'hold onto things'. It was an incredibly jarring ride while the trailer was in motion. We've owned the trailer for about 10 years and I don't know if the shocks (does it even have them?) have ever been replaced. Neither of us could be considered 'handy men' and we live about 2 hrs from the closest A/S repair place. I'd appreciate your expert advice! How can I find out if we need shocks?

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by murfster

OK, my husband and I have 'debated' for about a year now on whether our '76 Sovereign needs shocks. We emergency evacuated from N.Padre Island beach during an extra high tide and I stayed in back to 'hold onto things'. It was an incredibly jarring ride while the trailer was in motion. We've owned the trailer for about 10 years and I don't know if the shocks (does it even have them?) have ever been replaced. Neither of us could be considered 'handy men' and we live about 2 hrs from the closest A/S repair place. I'd appreciate your expert advice! How can I find out if we need shocks?

Your rough ride could be one or more of three reasons.

1. The axles may be shot. The following article will teach you how to check them yourself.

Dura Torque Axle

2. The shocks quite well need replacing.

3. The running gear, tire, wheel, hub and drum assemblys,
may not be balanced properly.

Airstreams love a soft ride, and yours can provide that, "IF," all the above is OK.

Andy

[pmclemore]

If the beach down there is like ours up here - you drive through deep ruts following everone who has passed there previously - then I can understand the rough ride. There were likely many, many, deep up-and-downs running across the track that likely threw you around pretty severely.

That trip may not have been a fair test. Andy's advice is a better way to judge.

Pat

[AlbertF]

What are you towing with? A heavy pickup with stiff rear springs will cause the front of the trailer to ride hard.

If you need new shocks, order from any Airstream dealer. Expect to pay $35 to $40 each. They are very easy to replace; anyone who can jack the trailer up and change the tires would have enough technical skill to change the shocks, as long as the old nuts are not rusted too badly.