Shock absorbers

[abbey]

Just a newbie with a perfect 2000 25ft Safari. Had tires changed and noticed a shock was starting to leak. Does anyone have info as to what type of shocks to buy and replace or take it to the local Airstream dealer and have them replaced ?? While I am doing this, a good time to pack the bearings ??
Appreciate any information

[aftermath]

Welcome Abbey. Your Airstream dealer would be a good source for information about your shocks. Ask them what kind and then go out and find them locally. Installing them shouldn't be that big of an expense.


I have a 2006 25FB and the first thing I did after buying it used was to take it to the local dealer and have them inspect the brakes and pack the bearings. They told me that I didn't have to repack them every year but do them at 10,000 mile intervals. This is what I have been doing and now with about 43,000 on the trailer the bearings and brakes are holding up well.

[overlander63]

Originally Posted by aftermath

Welcome Abbey. Your Airstream dealer would be a good source for information about your shocks. Ask them what kind and then go out and find them locally.

Airstream shocks are only available from Airstream dealers, they are proprietary to Airstream, and there is no direct aftermarket replacement.

[abbey]

Thanks for your help. I'll be sure to check it out at the dealer.

Originally Posted by aftermath

Welcome Abbey. Your Airstream dealer would be a good source for information about your shocks. Ask them what kind and then go out and find them locally. Installing them shouldn't be that big of an expense.


I have a 2006 25FB and the first thing I did after buying it used was to take it to the local dealer and have them inspect the brakes and pack the bearings. They told me that I didn't have to repack them every year but do them at 10,000 mile intervals. This is what I have been doing and now with about 43,000 on the trailer the bearings and brakes are holding up well.

[Ultraclassic]

Like most car makers, they Airstream do not make shocks, I figure they are made by Gabriel or Munro.

Does anyone have a aftermarket Part number for them


My AS is a 2000 30ft

[abbey]

Originally Posted by Ultraclassic

Like most car makers, they Airstream do not make shocks, I figure they are made by Gabriel or Munro.

Does anyone have a aftermarket Part number for them


My AS is a 2000 30ft

I am sure they are made by Gabriel. However, you will have to go to a dealer to order the shocks. You CANNOT get them from a auto shop supplier or Gabriel. I found out that the Airstream shocks are a lot different than car shocks.
GOOD LUCK and they are not cheap. Also, I had to have the axels dropped to get to the shock mounts.

2000 25ft Safari
2013 Ram Laramie

[Action]

Airstream is the only source for horizontal shocks on an Airstream.
These are a custom made shock for Airstream.
Since these trailers are so limited in numbers (compared to cars) the aftermarket will not make these or have them made.

Action

[brokeboater]

Best source I found for the Gabriel manufactured Airstream shocks was OOD Mart at about $30 per plus shipping. Colin Hyde recommends Monroe 55503. There is plenty of debate on shocks, need them/don't need them, must be Airstream/gas magnum ok. No consensus opinion, you'll just have to pick your poison.

Axles do not have to be dropped to change shocks but it is a pita to do. Youtube has videos about how to get it done without dropping the axles. On my old axles the shock mounts left about 1/4" of clearance making the change difficult and prone to bringing out your more colorful vocabulary. With my new axles and new shock mounts changing out shocks is no big deal. For my own reasons I went with Airstream shocks but if I knew how easy changing them would be with my new axles I might have gone Monroe since changing them out is no longer a crisis.

[Ultraclassic]

Ok thanks for the input, I am a car mechanic and I looked at mine, and it looks like a "drop the axle down style" to me

[JJTX]

This thread is older but relevant. I noticed today a nut and a washer fell off one side of my lower shock mount stud. Not sure why. I thought my dealer was inspecting this stuff. I'm glad I noticed it.

Anyway, does someone know what the the nut and washer are, size, brand, thread pitch, etc so I can go get a replacement nut at fastenal?

I have a 2018 bambi 19cb.

[69SoulShine]

Originally Posted by JJTX

This thread is older but relevant. I noticed today a nut and a washer fell off one side of my lower shock mount stud. Not sure why. I thought my dealer was inspecting this stuff. I'm glad I noticed it.

Anyway, does someone know what the the nut and washer are, size, brand, thread pitch, etc so I can go get a replacement nut at fastenal?

I have a 2018 bambi 19cb.

I’m having same issue but on upper mount. Also all but one of the others are very loose. Spoke with customer service at Airstream they said there is no torque specification they just tighten up until the rubber grommet starts to swell. I got the nut information that fits my classic from Online at Airstream in the parts catalog. You should be able to find your specific model there.Mine is Hex head,Flanged,5/8”,18. Good luck.

[69SoulShine]

[Action]

Originally Posted by 69SoulShine

I’m having same issue but on upper mount. Also all but one of the others are very loose. Spoke with customer service at Airstream they said there is no torque specification they just tighten up until the rubber grommet starts to swell. I got the nut information that fits my classic from Online at Airstream in the parts catalog. You should be able to find your specific model there.Mine is Hex head,Flanged,5/8”,18. Good luck.

Once the correct torque is obtained, if there are enough threads left double nut the mount. The second nut does not have to be very substantial. The industry practice for shocks was to use a second nut that was made of thin stamped steel. It was pretty flimsy except it's sole job was to keep the original nut from backing off. It was cheap, easy and effective. A rare combination of low tech that solved the problem.

Action

[69SoulShine]

JJTX FYI after removing one of the other nuts I found that the info on line is wrong. What I have is a 1/2 inch nut but not sure of the thread count yet.

[dhroberts]

At risk of sounding foolish, I don't think our 2016 Classic 30' has shocks. Have been told that by our local RV tech; don't see any reference to shocks in the 2016 owner's manual. Perhaps there was a change from 2016 to 2017. What am I missing?

[JJTX]

The replies are much appreciate in this thread. I did make another one specifically for this question, though.

I have a caliper and one of my chores today is to check the diameter and find out. But, above as you can see in the IMGR link, they are here at least on 2018 and on years. Maybe the larger trailers don't have them due to double axles...

[JJTX]

Originally Posted by 69SoulShine

JJTX FYI after removing one of the other nuts I found that the info on line is wrong. What I have is a 1/2 inch nut but not sure of the thread count yet.

Seems like it'd be the same here on mine based on the picture. I'm gonna put a caliper on it shortly.

https://www.amazon.com/MTD-712-0417A...0071266&sr=8-3

this is what the ZON says on 5/8 -18 flange nut search real quick. I do not buy hardware on zon unless it confirms the grade of the bolts though. I typically use fastenal. Local hardware stores only sell cheap chinaJUNK.

Caliper says .6 or half inch, as well. Not sure WTH these people writing these parts books are thinking when they write them.

[JJTX]

Now I have to find out if its fine or coarse thread. I'm gonna order some of each size if I cant narrow it down. More NUTS is always handy.

Yea I'm confused now. Calipers says the threads are 1/2, and the shaft/shank is 5/8

The nut is a serrated flange on the other shock mount + a washer.

[JJTX]

I'm on hold at the dealer in Austin TX to find out WTH.

NOBODY would answer the phone in service.


NOT a happy camper.

[dhroberts]

Foolish me. Found the shocks on each wheel when I took the wheels off today to get new tires installed. Will have to give some noise to my local RV tech! That said, with 45k on the rig, I will get new shocks next time in the shop. Sorry for the confusion; thanks for the patience.