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63Bambidad · 10-04-2022, 05:09 PM

1963 Bambi with a loose dustcover one shock. Gabriel 610816... Inland RV is not owned by the same people and many reviews have been **** being scammed. Any ideas what could be a suitable substitute.

**richard5933** · 10-04-2022, 05:10 PM

Out of Doors Mart has these in stock. No need for a substitute.

Jcondon · 10-04-2022, 06:00 PM

I see a few on EBay.

**richard5933** · 10-04-2022, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jcondon

I see a few on EBay.

Are you seeing these listings with new or used shocks? Just did a search and it comes back with a couple of pairs of used shocks for $85/pr.

Out of Doors Mart has them on sale for $36.95/ea right now. The price is good and they ship very quickly.

Jcondon · 10-05-2022, 05:01 PM

I have successfully used the Monroe 555003 in the past and if you need a longer shock when using a 3” lift kit use a 555004. These should be mounted with the bell end slightly up so the bell end doesn’t fill with water. I build my new frames with no shocks since torsion axles are self dampening.

**richard5933** · 10-05-2022, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jcondon

I have successfully used the Monroe 555003 in the past and if you need a longer shock when using a 3” lift kit use a 555004. These should be mounted with the bell end slightly up so the bell end doesn’t fill with water. I build my new frames with no shocks since torsion axles are self dampening.

Are either of these intended for use in the near-horizontal mounting position on the Airstream axle?

Jcondon · 10-05-2022, 05:21 PM

Yes slightly up to drain is the only limitation.

**richard5933** · 10-05-2022, 06:50 PM

Interesting - from previous threads it seemed like the 'standard' shock used in Airstreams was constructed differently to allow them to work horizontally, where other shocks would not due to the way the fluid flows in them.

Jcondon · 10-05-2022, 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by richard5933

Interesting - from previous threads it seemed like the 'standard' shock used in Airstreams was constructed differently to allow them to work horizontally, where other shocks would not due to the way the fluid flows in them.

Not everything you read here is true.

**richard5933** · 10-05-2022, 07:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jcondon

Not everything you read here is true.

This little bit of knowledge has been talked about in multiple places (including some of the better respected parts sources), not just here. Where did you find out that these other shocks work horizontal?

Jcondon · 10-05-2022, 11:51 PM

I called Monroe and I have them installed on one of my 69 Overlanders. The other has no shocks and they both ride great. The shocks don’t do much because the torsion arm doesn’t move much. Torsion axles don’t need shocks anyway. Airstream is phasing them out on the new smaller models.

**richard5933** · 10-06-2022, 05:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jcondon

I called Monroe and I have them installed on one of my 69 Overlanders. The other has no shocks and they both ride great. The shocks don’t do much because the torsion arm doesn’t move much. Torsion axles don’t need shocks anyway. Airstream is phasing them out on the new smaller models.

Whether or not shocks are necessary seems to be an eternal debate - not wanting to get into that at all.

I've read through numerous threads about OEM vs. aftermarket shocks for Airstreams with the torsion axle, and the overall consensus is that the OEM shock is different than the aftermarket ones like you're using. This was the opinion of commercial members (Airstream parts retailers) as well as those among the amateur ranks.

Guess I'll leave it at that. People are free to do what they want, but since the OEM shocks are relatively inexpensive I'm not sure there is a good reason to experiment with other options, other than possibly a lift kit which makes the OEM too short for full travel of the axles.

AldeanFan · 10-06-2022, 06:09 AM

If those Monroe shocks are the same as the ones i used on my trailer, they are also sold as a steering stabilizer, which is basically a horizontal shock.

Horizontal shocks are used in many applications besides airstreams so it shouldn’t be such an issue to find a working solution.

Jcondon · 10-06-2022, 06:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by richard5933

Whether or not shocks are necessary seems to be an eternal debate - not wanting to get into that at all.

I've read through numerous threads about OEM vs. aftermarket shocks for Airstreams with the torsion axle, and the overall consensus is that the OEM shock is different than the aftermarket ones like you're using. This was the opinion of commercial members (Airstream parts retailers) as well as those among the amateur ranks.

Guess I'll leave it at that. People are free to do what they want, but since the OEM shocks are relatively inexpensive I'm not sure there is a good reason to experiment with other options, other than possibly a lift kit which makes the OEM too short for full travel of the axles.

Sometimes cutting the groove larger and moving the axle away from the shock mount is enough to require the longer shock. If it works in that case it works in them all. Monroe simply copied Gabriel’s design. Anyway, torsion axles don’t need shocks anyway. It’s a marketing thing.

Jcondon · 10-06-2022, 06:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AldeanFan

If those Monroe shocks are the same as the ones i used on my trailer, they are also sold as a steering stabilizer, which is basically a horizontal shock.

Horizontal shocks are used in many applications besides airstreams so it shouldn’t be such an issue to find a working solution.

These are sold as RV shocks with special valving and a gas charge to operate in most any position as long as the bell end is slightly up to drain water. I’m not sure why y’all are so suspicious? Torsion axles are self dampening anyway.

Jcondon · 10-06-2022, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by richard5933

Are either of these intended for use in the near-horizontal mounting position on the Airstream axle?

The 1963 Bambi has a vertical shock anyway.

**richard5933** · 10-06-2022, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jcondon

The 1963 Bambi has a vertical shock anyway.

Didn't Airstream switch to torsion axles in 1961? I thought the vertical shock was used with the leaf spring axles.

Jcondon · 10-06-2022, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by richard5933

Didn't Airstream switch to torsion axles in 1961? I thought the vertical shock was used with the leaf spring axles.

No, 1961 to 68 were torsion with vertical shocks and 69 up had horizontal. Leaf springs definitely need shocks. Torsion probably not on the lighter models. In 2020 Airstream stopped installing them on the smaller trailers.

**richard5933** · 10-06-2022, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jcondon

No, 1961 to 68 were torsion with vertical shocks and 69 up had horizontal. Leaf springs definitely need shocks. Torsion probably not on the lighter models. In 2020 Airstream stopped installing them on the smaller trailers.

Ok. Learned something new today. How did they fit vertical shocks? Higher wheel well?

Jcondon · 10-06-2022, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by richard5933

Ok. Learned something new today. How did they fit vertical shocks? Higher wheel well?

Yes, A strap of steel is welded to the frame sticking straight up with a shock post. They went horizontal to lower the wheel well in the major revision year of 1969. When I replace an axle with a vertical shock I cut the strap off the frame and grind it clean and then go without or if the customer reads Air Forums I install horizontally with a bolt in Aluminum coil over mount that is really sweet. Some hacks weld the strap in the horizontal position but it looks like a hack.