Adding Schock Absorbers - Sunline SR model

[kanyonkitty]

As usual John, you have done a great job and did such a good post that anyone wishing to do this mod would be able to do it.

UM, your test tow, well your right, it's gonna have to wait, a bit more "white crap", it's not white stuff it's WHITE CRAP. OH and then the joy of ice too boot. You might have to settle for just going out in the rig and jumping around a bit to see how that feels until you can get out on the road.

Kitty

Thankfully our school system has some sort of rules that makes it impossible for us to go past a certain date in June no matter how many days we miss due to bad weather. So, OK, I can hang out at home and get paid, I don't have a problem with that. BUT, I still hate the WHITE CRAP.

[matti]

Great photos John, Looks like I will be getting out my welder as soon as this snow goes away

[JohnB]

Thanks for the kind words folks. Hope it helped someone along the way.

Yes Kitty a wintry mix is heading our way. Knowing central OH we will most likely not get out at all in February... The weather in February has always been so rotten ever since we started our RV adventures we have never made it out. However that never stopped the Boy Scouts and I from camping.... About do for a Klondike campout right about now. Need more of those Polar Bear certificates....

[kanyonkitty]

Hey John,

Ya might just have to sit back, put your heels up and enjoy a "Klondike Bar"

[JohnB]

Originally Posted by kanyonkitty

Hey John,

Ya might just have to sit back, put your heels up and enjoy a "Klondike Bar"

After looking outside today.... more like an ice “pop” sickle.... Everything is coated with ice... A winter wonderland for sure.

Actually have not had a Klondike bar is a really long time. They are good! The subliminal advertising is working....

[JohnB]

Well last weekend I was able to go camping and try out the new shocks. Amazing what 1 week can do. Now it's back in the 30's again.... So here is the report.


I did not really feel a big difference to any difference in the truck. But again with this 1 ton suspension it held this trailer very well to begin with. The biggest difference was in the TT. I remember vividly the constant frame oscillations of this long camper (32 feet) every time I went over a bump. It would make full cycles up and down at least 5 to 8 times before it would settle out. And that in the truck mirrors was very unnerving seeing the camper flex like that. Well I’m here to report that is just about all gone. About 1 oscillation, maybe 2 at the most and that is it. And the pot holes and crumbled up road from the winter sure gave me a good test.

This seems to line up with what Clarkldc (Larry) told me his did on his T2499 last fall. One bump and that was it, smoothed right out.

So I’m a happy camper and glad I did this upgrade. The plan is to keep this camper a good long time and taking the flex out of it over the miles of towing I’m sure will help it’s longevity.

Hope this helps someone contemplating on doing this. Do it!

John

[matti]

Still waiting for warmer weather to do this

[clarkldc]

John,

You did a great looking job on those shocks. Your job was much more complex than mine, since I did the axle flip and used the Dexter Shock Kit. I guess that doing the job in the fall (late summer) when the temperatures were HOT were better than in the thirties. Glad to hear that the results of your upgrade were consistant with what I told you and confirmed that I was not just imagining the oscillation damping. You know some times we might just think it is better after we spend so much time and effort doing the upgrade.

Happy Camping,
Larry

[JohnB]

Wanted to report back on how the shocks have worked out. One word "Great"!!!!

I am very pleased with the dampening in TT frame consolations. We have been out 4 times now with them and the road to a few of the camps is pretty beat up due to the winter.

I really only see 1 oscillation going over a bump. That's it. Before this long camper would whip up and down at least 6 plus times before it would start to die down.

All that whipping flexing the siding, inside paneling, frame and everything else can't be good long term.

Any one contemplating doing this upgrade, yes it is worth it.

Thanks

John

[matti]

Great to hear that John. I did not get around to doing that yet with all the other things I wanted to take care of but I did replace the slide topper,bottom seal Maxair install,entire roof maintenance including the topper with new tape,recaulked all the windows & doors & seams,repacked the wheel bearings & the list went on & on. Went out week before Memorial Day & all is well. when I get back in the country we are going to NC for 3 weeks. Great to be back on the road again