|
09-18-2018, 01:27 PM
|
#1
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: Virginia, USA
Posts: 425
|
Shocks on a dexter torsion axle?
Some of the roads that I travel on are simply horrible and when I do get to my destination, many times the inside of the trailer looks like someone ransacked it. So I was thinking about the possibility of adding shocks to the trailer to try and calm down the, what appears to be violent movements inside the trailer.
The problem with my situation is that I have Dexter torsion axles and after a bit of searching, I could not find any information on available shock kits for Dexter torsion axles.
So I thought that I would ask the forum to see if anyone has added shocks to a torsion axle, seen it done, know of anyone who has done it or know of a kit that is sold to add shocks?
Thanks for looking,
Tom
__________________
2013 Rockwood Freedom2381G
2011 Dodge Ram 3500 Laramie 6.7L
B&W Turnover Ball w/Companion Hitch
|
|
|
09-18-2018, 01:34 PM
|
#2
|
Site Team - Lou
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: South Eastern PA
Posts: 23,268
|
I thought the whole idea of the Dexter TorFlex axle was it acts like a shock absorber...
__________________
Lou & Freya the wonder dog
2008 GMC Sierra 3000HD Allison Duramax
2019 Flagstaff 8529FL
|
|
|
09-18-2018, 01:50 PM
|
#3
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 10,833
|
Look up OC Old Coot he aded shocks to his Flagstaff fifth wheel and swears at them as they do a great job. I am sure there are pictures here somewhere. Bob Caldwell OCW copied the install and also likes them.
__________________
B and B
2022 Venture RV SportTrek STT 302 VRB Travel Trailer
2018 Heartland Landmark 365 Louisville 5th Wheel
2015 Heartland Bighorn 5th Wheel
2013 FR Rockwood 8289WS 5th Wheel
2012 FR Rockwood 2703 SS Travel Trailer
|
|
|
09-18-2018, 02:08 PM
|
#4
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: Virginia, USA
Posts: 425
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Herk7769
I thought the whole idea of the Dexter TorFlex axle was it acts like a shock absorber...
|
I do believe that torsion axles provide a softer ride and may reduce the amount of jarring that you would get with leaf spring axles. But without having something to dampen the spring rate it seems to me (form what I see in my trailer after a trip) that you still get a bouncing affect that appears to be quite violent at times.
So what I am wanting to do is add shocks to control the spring rate.
__________________
2013 Rockwood Freedom2381G
2011 Dodge Ram 3500 Laramie 6.7L
B&W Turnover Ball w/Companion Hitch
|
|
|
09-18-2018, 02:09 PM
|
#5
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: Virginia, USA
Posts: 425
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by B and B
Look up OC Old Coot he aded shocks to his Flagstaff fifth wheel and swears at them as they do a great job. I am sure there are pictures here somewhere. Bob Caldwell OCW copied the install and also likes them.
|
Thanks for the info. I will try and do a search of his posts and see if I can find his thread.
__________________
2013 Rockwood Freedom2381G
2011 Dodge Ram 3500 Laramie 6.7L
B&W Turnover Ball w/Companion Hitch
|
|
|
09-18-2018, 02:29 PM
|
#6
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: Virginia, USA
Posts: 425
|
I didn't find Old Coot's post regarding his install of shocks but I did find this post when I searched through where he participated and found this jem.
http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...cks-72995.html
That led me to post #6 where 09grizzly1 linked his install pics.
Forest River Forums - 09grizzly1's Album: 09grizzly1's Shock Install
This is exactly what I was looking for. In the first link, post #17 it even answered my question of shock angle in relation to the torsion arm.
Big shout out to B and B for pointing me in the right direction! Thank you very much!
Looks like I have my new winter project
Tom G
__________________
2013 Rockwood Freedom2381G
2011 Dodge Ram 3500 Laramie 6.7L
B&W Turnover Ball w/Companion Hitch
|
|
|
09-19-2018, 11:57 AM
|
#7
|
Canadian Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Eastern GTA, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 6,229
|
__________________
2023 Rockwood Signature 8262RBS
2016 Ford F-250 XLT SuperCrew, 6.2L, 4x4, 6'9" bed
2019 Rockwood Signature 8290BS (2019 - 2022)
2011 Rockwood Signature 8293SS (2015 - 2018)
2010 Rockwood Roo 23SS (2012 - 2014)
|
|
|
09-19-2018, 12:18 PM
|
#8
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Waynesville
Posts: 14,428
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Herk7769
I thought the whole idea of the Dexter TorFlex axle was it acts like a shock absorber...
|
They rebound just like a coil or leaf spring suspension, shocks still needed to control "Rebounding "! Youroo! !
__________________
|
|
|
09-19-2018, 09:29 PM
|
#9
|
Member
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 41
|
Tom, I have a Primetime Sanibel 3901 and it comes with Dexter axles and shocks as standard from the factory. I am convinced it helps and I am surprised other manufacturerers don’t adopt that combination.
|
|
|
09-19-2018, 09:38 PM
|
#10
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: Virginia, USA
Posts: 425
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by RogerD
Tom, I have a Primetime Sanibel 3901 and it comes with Dexter axles and shocks as standard from the factory. I am convinced it helps and I am surprised other manufacturerers don’t adopt that combination.
|
If you are able to see them and you wouldn't mind and have a few minutes. Would you be willing to take a pic of your shocks and how they mount?
__________________
2013 Rockwood Freedom2381G
2011 Dodge Ram 3500 Laramie 6.7L
B&W Turnover Ball w/Companion Hitch
|
|
|
09-19-2018, 09:44 PM
|
#11
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: SW Ohio
Posts: 1,670
|
I am surprised that you have that much movement. I have torsion axles and I am surprised how nothing seems to move, even on rough roads.
Did you go up a load range in tires? If so are you using the sidewall pressure? Or from the load inflation table?
__________________
Almost not an SOB
Artic Fox 3018 5th Wheel - on order
Grand Design 2800BH TT 2021
Prior TT 2017 Flagstaff 831CLBSS Classic Ultra lite - SOLD 5/21
TV 2024 F350 DRW - on order
TV 2017 F150 6.5' bed 3.5 Eco-boost Max tow 1800lbs payload
|
|
|
09-19-2018, 09:47 PM
|
#12
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Valencia Pa
Posts: 602
|
Fill your trailer with helium balloons and it will float over the bumps.
|
|
|
09-19-2018, 11:16 PM
|
#13
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: Virginia, USA
Posts: 425
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by llr
I am surprised that you have that much movement. I have torsion axles and I am surprised how nothing seems to move, even on rough roads.
Did you go up a load range in tires? If so are you using the sidewall pressure? Or from the load inflation table?
|
I did go up a a few load ranges, from C to E. However, as an example, in my experiences, even with the load range C's, rte 64 and RTE 264 going into VA Beach will beat just about any trailer into submission.
As for pressure in the tire, I am running 70# which is 10# less than the max sidewall pressure. This gives me an even tire tread footprint, minimal increase in pressure and low heat.
As I indicated earlier, I do believe that torsion axles provide a better ride than leaf springs. However, I also believe that there is still room for improvement. And I am hoping to find that improvement by controlling the torsion axle spring rate and if I can control the spring rate it will provide the ride I am looking for.
__________________
2013 Rockwood Freedom2381G
2011 Dodge Ram 3500 Laramie 6.7L
B&W Turnover Ball w/Companion Hitch
|
|
|
09-20-2018, 08:11 AM
|
#14
|
Member
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 41
|
Here are a couple pictures of the shocks mounted on the Sanibel. They have made a U-Bracket and welded to the outside of the I-Beam to mount the top of the shock through, and they have a wider than normal leaf spring plate to mount the bottom of the shock through.
|
|
|
09-20-2018, 08:17 AM
|
#15
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Waynesville
Posts: 14,428
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by RogerD
Here are a couple pictures of the shocks mounted on the Sanibel. They have made a U-Bracket and welded to the outside of the I-Beam to mount the top of the shock through, and they have a wider than normal leaf spring plate to mount the bottom of the shock through.
|
Not a torsion axle!
Youroo! !
__________________
|
|
|
09-20-2018, 08:35 AM
|
#16
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: Virginia, USA
Posts: 425
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by itat
|
I just looked at your suggested thread. I must have inadvertently skipped over it prior. Thank you for finding and sharing this.
I think that I may PM OldCoot to see what his thoughts were on any benefits of the mod and if he thought it was worth it.
__________________
2013 Rockwood Freedom2381G
2011 Dodge Ram 3500 Laramie 6.7L
B&W Turnover Ball w/Companion Hitch
|
|
|
09-20-2018, 08:42 AM
|
#17
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: Virginia, USA
Posts: 425
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by RogerD
Here are a couple pictures of the shocks mounted on the Sanibel. They have made a U-Bracket and welded to the outside of the I-Beam to mount the top of the shock through, and they have a wider than normal leaf spring plate to mount the bottom of the shock through.
|
Thanks for the pics Roger. My setup is a little different because of my torsion axles but the picture you took that shows the upper shock mount is very helpful.
Again, thanks for the pics and for going through the effort to take them. I appreciate your help.
Tom
__________________
2013 Rockwood Freedom2381G
2011 Dodge Ram 3500 Laramie 6.7L
B&W Turnover Ball w/Companion Hitch
|
|
|
|
Thread Tools |
|
Display Modes |
Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
» Recent Discussions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|