replacing shocks

[w9det]

When should you change shocks?
My 2001 Safari 27 has 55,000 miles on it and I would think age is on my side. The shocks look good, a little rust but no leakage. Shocks on cars etc. seem to last forever now in instead of the 20-30K of years gone by.
Am I wasting my time by changing them now, anyone know the bench mark for shocks now. 50k, 75k, 100K. The trailer tracks nicely and the tires wear evenly.

[uwe]

Warren,
If I was you and had the same question, then I would take one of them out and simply do the push/pull test.
A good shock absorber of the type installed in Airstream trailers will have a healthy resistance to the push/pull motion.
This way you can make a much better choice than simply guessing at it.

When I removed the shocks from my 1971 Tradewind, they were still good. I do not know if they were the original ones, but they were definitely still as good as the new ones I installed. I replaced them anyways, because I had already bought them, in anticipation, together with the new axles.
I recently did axle work again, on the same trailer, and the shocks were still tight after appr. one year of service.

At 55000 miles, it could go either way.

Good Luck!

[overlander63]

Originally Posted by w9det

When should you change shocks?
My 2001 Safari 27 has 55,000 miles on it and I would think age is on my side. The shocks look good, a little rust but no leakage. Shocks on cars etc. seem to last forever now in instead of the 20-30K of years gone by.
Am I wasting my time by changing them now, anyone know the bench mark for shocks now. 50k, 75k, 100K. The trailer tracks nicely and the tires wear evenly.

Shocks are suspect over 20,000 miles. If you take them off to check them, you may as well replace them. Why go to the trouble of removing and replacing the shocks, and putting the old ones back on, and they fail in another 5,000 miles?
Terry

[Tarheel]

mine on my 94 looked great and were shot

[w9det]

Thanks for the "Shocking" advice.
Airstream also said to change them. I think I will change them on my upcoming bearing / brake cleaning.

[RUSSELL]

Hi All,
Where can I get shocks for my AS 1985 sovereign ? Please do not say airstream dealer since the closest dealer is 120 miles one way for me. Does anyone have any part numbers for the shocks? Please e mail me direct at gmby@net ptc.net.
Regards Russell

[w9det]

Just ordered $30.87 a piece from Alamo Airstream dealer in SanAntionio, no tax for out of State shipping. I heard at a rally that you should buy them from Airstream in that some shocks are differant lengths and could / will ruin your axcel. I would asume that each trailer could be differant.

[Tarheel]

Thats a deal, NAPA shocks are in the $25-$30 range. The reason I used NAPA was that I could not find Airstream shocks.

[RUSSELL]

Hey Rick ,Thaks for the info do you have any part numbers.
Russ

[Tarheel]

Replacement Shocks NAPA 555003 RV Severe Service This is what I used on my 94-34'. It has an 0.500" hole in the top and a 0.625" hole in the bottom.
PART NO SHOCKS MONROE 33033 this shock fits some of the vintage units that have a 0.500" top and bottom. I was told that the 33033 was the right one and it did have the right length and travel but the studs on my unit were 1/2" top and 5/8" bottom. The 555003 has just a little more travel but it has never bottomed out.

[w9det]

Airstream shock # 0220003 $30.87ea
But I believe each trailer is differant and I do know someone who ruined his axcel by putting on the wrong (discount) shocks

[RMB]

It is overwhelmingly suggested that OEM equipment is usually the least expensive /lowest bidder possible for the maufacturer be it car, truck or dare I say AS?

If that is the case, what is a top of the line shock with will fit a 2010 23' AS?

Any reccomendations?

Thanks!

[Action]

OEM is the only choice if it is mounted in a more or less horizontal position.

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

[perryg114]

There are some who believe that you don't need shocks on a rubber spring axel. The rubber has a damping effect on its own. Unless they are leaking, I would not mess with them. Some shocks won't work in the horizontal position. Like someone suggested above take them off and see if they still resist being pulled in and out. The original shocks are on my 81 and I have no immediate plans to change them unless I start seeing signs that my trailer is vibrating too much. You might be better off putting some Centramatic balancers on and leave the shocks be.

Perry

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by perryg114

There are some who believe that you don't need shocks on a rubber spring axel. The rubber has a damping effect on its own. Unless they are leaking, I would not mess with them. Some shocks won't work in the horizontal position. Like someone suggested above take them off and see if they still resist being pulled in and out. The original shocks are on my 81 and I have no immediate plans to change them unless I start seeing signs that my trailer is vibrating too much. You might be better off putting some Centramatic balancers on and leave the shocks be.

Perry

Torsion axles indeed have their own damping effect.

But, it is not "top of the ladder best".

Adding the correct shocks makes a huge difference.

Dexter say's no, Airstream says yes.

Since Airstream designed their product, I feel that their reasoning is on target and Dexter, is off base.

Yet Dexter still fights with Airstream about the need for shocks. But Airstream insists on them and installs them on most models.

Dexter refuses to sell shock brackets, even though they have drawings for them, which we have.

The proper shocks that Airstream uses are "horizontal shocks". They have been using them since the 1968 models.

Airstream is the only source of the horizontal shocks or through their parts stocking dealers.

Vertical shocks will not work properly, when placed in a horizontal position.

Many years of research, says, yes the shocks do add to the soft ride by making it softer.

Adding balanced running gear or Centramatic balancers, completes the smooth ride task.

Andy

[Silver Otter]

Wonderful notes on shocks. Thanks to all as I begin my restoration of our silver otter.

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by RMB

It is overwhelmingly suggested that OEM equipment is usually the least expensive /lowest bidder possible for the maufacturer be it car, truck or dare I say AS?

If that is the case, what is a top of the line shock with will fit a 2010 23' AS?

Any reccomendations?

Thanks!

Top of the line, or bottom of the line.

There is only one horizontal shock available and that's from Airstream dealers who get them from Airstream.

We go through about 100 of them each month.

Andy