Shocker Hitch Review / My Attempts to Limit FES

[NDIrish]

I just wanted to take some time to share my experience as it relates to towing. I did a lot of searching prior to purchase and could not find many answers that I was looking for, so I hope this post answers people's questions if they were in the same boat I am/was in.

Background: 2025 Flying Cloud 30FB Bunk towed by a 2024 GMC 2500 crew cab diesel. This is a new setup for me. Just last year, I was towing a 2023 Flying Cloud 30FB with a 2022 Ford F-250 7.3L and using an Andersen WDH. It was a great experience. I did notice that the Andersen did not put a lot of weight back on the front axle of the Ford; this is likely because the chain system on the Andersen is not as great with weight distribution as a solid bar like an Equalizer or similar. But that seemed to work well for this set up because the F-250 could handle the tongue weight and was built for this. Only downside of the Andersen is unhitching and then hitching back up at a different angle. Andersen users know what I am talking about.

Unfortunately, that truck/trailer/hitch combo was wrecked last year when an out of control trucker ran into us (and several others).

Enter the new set up. This time I opted for a Blue Ox (1,000 lb bars, noting my tongue weight is likely higher than 1,000, but did not want to contribute to issues noted below) and I was able to get the GMC off the lot (Fords were not available at the time and I needed a vehicle) and a trailer ordered (end of model year meant none were on the lot). First trip out was a distance - Missouri to Florida and back. The truck/trailer/hitch performed well but there was some porpoising on the bumpy roads of Tennessee and Illinois.

When I got home, I noticed a popped rivet on the front storage compartment.

Uh oh.

I, like most of you with similar floor plans, dread the thought of front end separation (FES - adding that for keyword search ability). Yes, my model year (and my prior trailer) is supposed to have the enhanced bracing in the front to prevent this. I swung by my dealership and got the rivet replaced. As soon as it was, the one next to it popped too. I got to talking to my technician and he mentioned the prevalence of FES and noted he was repairing ones that had the new bracing installed. I cannot comment to the reliability of his statement, but it got me thinking.

There is a lot of information out there about FES and causes. And a lot of people who are smarter than me who are discussing it and making videos about it. Shout out to 13 Adventures and Vinnie who are active in discussing and showing options out there.

It got me thinking - I never had issues with my Andersen, which was not displacing a lot of weight back to the front axle... I even backed that off while owning it because I learned about FES from KYD. And now, on a system that was built to move some weight, I was experiencing more bumps than I remember before, even with the lower weight bars.

So, down the rabbit hole I went. Could I tow on the ball only? Would I experience sway or other issues like I did with my Equalizer and Grand Design Imagine?

First thing I did was check my truck manual. Sure enough, GMC says weight distribution is not needed until a certain weight (which I am no where near). Double checked my hitch receiver label. And then began searching for a ball/hitch combo that would work.

Enter the Shocker hitch. I looked around quite a bit at different options between an air bag system or a torsion system. I didn't want to break my back when moving it, and I also did not want to break the bank. Air Safe comes highly recommended but is heavy and costly. Gen Y boss is highly recommended but heavy. Towing on the ball alone is an option but I was unsure if it would prevent the movement I was experiencing.

I opted for the Shocker 14K Max Black Air Receiver. I wanted some cushion in the tongue weight so I opted for it rather than the 12k version (1,200 tongue weight max). With a 60 day return (and free shipping to return), it seemed like a no brainer. I measured it out and decided the drop ball option was what I needed. Ordered on a Sunday and it arrived on Wednesday.

Hooked up today and towing was great. I can feel my truck move with bumps when going over them but not the additional movements from the trailer that could contribute to porpoising. I was low on air added (35 psi, looks like 40-60 is recommended) so there's potential room for improvement. Winds were light at 8-10 mph but I did not experience any sway issues from wind. It is a bummer that I cannot open my tailgate when attached but that's ok.

Only thing I might suggest changing is the drop ball option. My measurements were good but I think I get enough lowering when attaching to the ball that the ball needs more rise. I got on the chat with their website and they said exchanging a ball was no big deal and immediately sent me a shipping label. I purchased the combo ball (0"-4.5" drop) to see if I got some improvement from that or if I was just on non-level ground the entire time.

Truck notes: CAT scale showed the addition of 200 pounds to the drive axle; 80 pounds were lost on the steering axle, and trailer axle weight remained the same when comparing the Blue Ox to the Shocker. I went down an inch in the rear and gained an inch in the front. The GMC is not level to begin with and this drop is expected with heavy weight.

FES notes: there are several causes/possibilities to FES. Please do your research. If you have a 3/4 or 1 ton truck, take a look at if you need WDH or not. I, like many of you, was told that was the only option when towing a trailer. And if you did not like the feeling of your tow, or wanted to stay in a 1/2 ton, a Pro Pride or Hensley was your only option. I am not saying those are not good hitches; both are extremely good pieces of equipment with a proven track record. What I am saying is look at all your options and see what works best for you.

I have a hour and a half trip planned for next weekend. I will update with how the trailer/hitch combo performs.

[Life is a Highway]

Best advise I ever got was sitting on my F-250 tailgate Looking at a torn up Airstreams ft trim and bulged aluminum in back of the battery box. I had limped into Vinnies Airstream Repair's couple years ago.

I got " The Talk " and it was Herv please let the TRUCK be a Truck. So I bought a shocker and my equalizer bars are set to nill WD on our 30 ft Airstream.

Been a very Happy Camper ever since. No sway no danger no steering issues at speeds 75 and below. In fact I have tried taking the bars off and towed with just the shocker.

[NDIrish]

Originally Posted by Life is a Highway

I got " The Talk " and it was Herv please let the TRUCK be a Truck. So I bought a shocker and my equalizer bars are set to nill WD on our 30 ft Airstream.

That is a great quote. Too many of us have been harped on over the needs of a WDH. Certainly it is not the only cause of FES, but it sure is a contributing cause. I would blame dealerships but they are taking a blanketed approach to sales and set ups... just as many people come in with 1/2 ton trucks that need WDH as there are of those that come with 3/4 and 1 ton that do not need it. For many of us, myself included, we started with what we had. My 1/2 ton certainly needed WDH when I was towing a 26' camper and that mentality continued when I got a bigger truck.

As always, your results may vary... regardless, happy travels to everyone reading.

[BGClassic]

Interesting thread. I went with the Propride mainly for the anti-sway. I run nearly zero on WD, with our F350. I have popped two of the rivets around the front storage compartment, and both were repaired by the factory at warranty repair visits. The techs said we do NOT have the beginning of FES.

I don't really want to switch hitches at this point, for fear of possibly making it worse, and the added expense.

[SunchaserV]

ND
Good thinking and nice observations. Some day if you have the time and inclination a comparison to towing on the ball only would be an interesting base case comparison.

We tow on the ball a lot with our Super Duty diesel, saving the heavy Blue Ox 1,000 (good ballast stored in front of the rear axle) for windy, hilly and fast freeways. Our trailer weight is usually around 8,000 to 8,500 lbs.

[ROBERT CROSS]

FWIW, a properly set-up WD has NOTHING to do with FES.
If the TV suspension is not compliant enough...bang you it.


It is a design flaw that got worse when the front storage compartment was introduced.

Bob
🇺🇸

[TrvlngTinTin]

Morning all Hey Herv, I’m doing fluid changes soon.


Ok I’ve had shocker hitch from day one.
Trying to avoid front end, separation and got it anyway.
See picture of Bolts added under front frame. I’ve had other major structural issues as well. Two separate trips to Jackson Center from Colorado.
As someone recently said, these are hand built Airstream. Airstream say this when you get serviced on these days it’s hand built, irritating to hear them say that, but true and I don’t think they all leave the factory the same. Hand built when I was younger meant high-quality when they say it seems to mean of course you’re going to have issues.
I’ve run video while towing.
Even with shocker rides like a brick back there. Vinny and others Hervey have talked about the suspension. Would love to be able to upgrade the Airstream suspension with something better to have a better ride.
A lot of the US roads are brutal when you’re pinned in on the left and the right and you have to eat a pothole not good. Need a better suspension on the Airstream.

I’ve towed on the ball with and without the shocker, but will continue to use because I believe I pop less rivets with a shocker and also keeping my tire pressure as low as possible advice from Airstream tech from Jackson Center.
I use minimal weight distribution, just enough to keep it between the bump stops.
Just my 2 cents :-)

[gypsydad]

I don't have a front bed model. Have owned 4 different AS's now- 3 25' RB AS's and now the 28' RBT, last 8 years. After using 3 different model hitches, I got the Blue Ox with 1500lb bars with the 28'. Never had a problem, and seems no FES issues with rear bed models, as Robert mentions above. The BO works great, when set up properly. Interesting and notable, that these "shocker" type systems have their "quirks" to using vs BO and couple other WDH systems. Towing without issues is the goal...I'm very pleased with the BO system.

[KCurtis]

I bought the Shocker Hitch when I bought my Ram Dually and my 30 Foot Classic back in 2022. I decided to tow on the ball only. Towed over 30K miles across the USA and Canada and I haven't had any issues. I would use anti-sway if I had a single read wheel though. My shocker hitch has been great.

[TrvlngTinTin]

Originally Posted by gypsydad

I don't have a front bed model. Have owned 4 different AS's now- 3 25' RB AS's and now the 28' RBT, last 8 years. After using 3 different model hitches, I got the Blue Ox with 1500lb bars with the 28'. Never had a problem, and seems no FES issues with rear bed models, as Robert mentions above. The BO works great, when set up properly. Interesting and notable, that these "shocker" type systems have their "quirks" to using vs BO and couple other WDH systems. Towing without issues is the goal...I'm very pleased with the BO system.

Got FES RBQ No Front hatch
:-)

[superChop]

Heard this story during our visit to Atlanta-RV in Winder, GA. A customer came in with FES and the shops owner, a Georgia Tech Electrical Engineer graduate, devised a solution that appears to be bulletproof. The trailer in the story was 2022, 28' or longer with a FB. When the owner of the shop contacted JC to see if they could help out on this trailer, JC offered to send two brackets with a cost of $70. The owner's solution includes installation of a metal frame with additional support with additional bolts into the frame and closer spaced rivets along the ribs. I will contact the shop's owner and ask if he is willing to show some fotos of his solution.

From a long term relation with aviation manufacturing, FES is a design flaw and one that JC should have resolved several years ago! One responder tells us that the root cause is the poor suspension on AS's. Does that include non-lifted, or lifted suspensions? When I look at my 2018 shock absorbers, with a lift kit they are nearly parallel to the ground! I wonder how much vertical movement they minimize??? At Honeywell, the Quality Dep't would conduct a detailed Root Cause and Corrective Action (RCCA) analysis to determine the best solution. FES lack of new design by AS, reminds me of the particle board/plywood subfloors AS used until about 2021, this ancient design provides great entertainment for vintage owners, and others who must replace sections or all of that subfloor in their renovations.

In jest only - who wants a trailer to be perfect and not allow we owners the opportunity to become more familiar with these trailers by crawling around them looking for a water leak, electrical or plumbing connection? Some folks do most or all of the repairs themselves and others pay experts to fix them, like the folks on KYD.

[NDIrish]

Originally Posted by superChop

In jest only - who wants a trailer to be perfect and not allow we owners the opportunity to become more familiar with these trailers by crawling around them looking for a water leak, electrical or plumbing connection? Some folks do most or all of the repairs themselves and others pay experts to fix them, like the folks on KYD.

That made me spit my drink out… so true, on several levels!

[Turkeybaster]

NDIrish thank you for sharing your informative experience.
TB

[gypsydad]

Originally Posted by TrvlngTinTin

Got FES RBQ No Front hatch
:-)

FES on RBQ: is this your currant 30'? Do you have pictures to show? First I have heard of a RB with FES? As Robert mentioned, typically the design flaw is because of the front storage bin, not having sufficient bracing. Seems the fixes I have seen for this (Vinnie's fix and AS's fix) use similar braces. Tim Love in Dallas area also has started fixing this, though i don't know what brace he is using.

Please share what hitch system you are using, and if you have pics of the FES and resolution, also. Appreciate.

[Hermes]

Originally Posted by NDIrish

FES notes: there are several causes/possibilities to FES. Please do your research. If you have a 3/4 or 1 ton truck, take a look at if you need WDH or not.

We just finished a caravan trip over three months throughout Mexico, towing on the ball. I have a GMC 2500HD Duramax, towing a 28' RB (2016). Absolutely no problems. And this was the first time I did this. Trailer leveling was done with the truck's airbags (minor adjustments).

The main (if only reason) I did this was the road conditions in Mexico. There are no stop signs in Mexico, what they have are speed bumps of all heights-- and we probably crossed a few thousand. Every time your front axel rises on a bump, additional pressure is placed on the WD bars, which press down on the trailer frame, which leads to additional frame flex which leads to FES.

This has been extensively discussed on these forums. Mind you we were not driving at high speeds, max 50 mph on the highways (some of which were top notch).

There was one caravan member with 25' FB with a 1000 lb Equalizer hitch (1/2 ton Ram), which, by the end of the trip, got a dimple on the right lower corner next the front hatch (it wasn't there when we started the trip).

AS frames are not made to jack up the rear of heavy loaded TVs with WD bars. Something has got to give and its the aluminum.

[PatLee]

Vinnie has done more than talk about it. He has patented a black steel brace solution that reinforces the front end. Airstream also came up with a "better" solution. I have attached two photos that show both solutions. Vinnie's is black; Airstream's is silver. The difference between the two is apparent. I have a 2019 25' FBT (which has the front storage locker which many think contributes to FES in these models). I have an appointment with Vinnie in September to get it fixed.

P.S. The white sign on the black brace says "Front end Separation Repair."

[Hermes]

Originally Posted by PatLee

Vinnie has done more than talk about it. He has patented a black steel brace solution that reinforces the front end. Airstream also came up with a "better" solution. I have attached two photos that show both solutions. Vinnie's is black; Airstream's is silver. The difference between the two is apparent. I have a 2019 25' FBT (which has the front storage locker which many think contributes to FES in these models). I have an appointment with Vinnie in September to get it fixed.

P.S. The white sign on the black brace says "Front end Separation Repair."

Vinnie has an interesting design, the two 45 degree "arms" are most likely there to prevent the flexing of the shell around the hatch. In addition they are made of steel. But I don't think this replaces being careful about what hitch you use and how it's dialed in. The source of the flexing is the hitch.

Hitches were built initially (60's) to level trailers towed with cars and station wagons which had weak (soft) suspensions. Our loaded TVs today are way heavier and we are asking the same trailer frame to do the leveling when it should be the job of the TV suspension to carry the load.

[G8trwood]

I guess Airstream could just build a stronger frame . Or Lipert, etc, frame issues seem to abound. Weight and cost savings apparently aren’t.

[CharlesinGA]

On my other brand of trailer (see my signature) the tongue is two 2x5 steel tubes, 1/4 inch wall thickness. The rest of the frame is 3/16 wall 2x5 tubing. No flex in that.

Charles

[MSDeneen]

This thread is scary. FES? This is a new term to me. Are they saying the trailer frame is bending due to WD being applied?

Is FES related to certain models, lengths, floorplans, years? Where are the rivets popping? Inside?

I must be reading something wrong. Frames bending? Seems unbelievable after building these for 75 years.