Shocks needed

Firstfiver · 04-11-2021, 11:14 AM

2002 Coachmen Chaparral has shock mounts. I can't find any shocks to fit. Checked all the auto parts places, local rv places. Emailed Coachmen, no response. 3 questions :
1. Do shocks reduce chucking?
2. What else do they do?
3. Where can I find them?
Thanks

Notanlines · 04-12-2021, 09:47 AM

Most chucking can be prevented by increasing your pin weight. We have no knowledge of your tow vehicle, not the model length/weight of your RV. Hard to help you without this. And the brand of pin box.

Firstfiver · 04-12-2021, 10:00 AM

Truck is 2000 F250 crew cab 4wd 7.3 diesel. Hitch is B&W turnover ball gooseneck in bed (for horse trailer) with B&W Companion 5th wheel hitch. Lippert pinbox. Trailer weighs 7100 lb dry, 9570 GVWR. I have not weighed the rig yet. We usually travel with waste tanks 3/4 full (forward of axles) and freshwater tank 1/4 full (over the axles). Chucking is much reduced with the Companion vs the gooseneck adapter that I had on the trailer before.

Firstfiver · 04-12-2021, 10:01 AM

Coachmen Chaparral 29 ft.

**wingnut60** · 04-12-2021, 11:46 AM

Most shocks for fivers that can be equipped with them are Monroe 555001. Very common item if used. But need to verify the compressed length to be sure not too long, and extended length to be sure not too short. Don't expect any great improvement in towing if you put them on. Need to make sure the rubber spring in the Morryde pin box is not the culprit--could be aged out/split.

Notanlines · 04-12-2021, 05:04 PM

Any chance of big tires or a jacked suspension?

Firstfiver · 04-12-2021, 09:01 PM

Truck is all stock. New OEM rear leaf springs (no lift) a year ago. Truck shocks are also recent.

**wingnut60** · 04-13-2021, 10:27 AM

To check the Morryde pinbox, hitch up and have someone put truck in forward and then reverse--watch the movement of the pin box before the trailer moves. Should be very little give before the trailer moves. If seems excessive, the rubber in the pin box probably needs to be replaced.

Firstfiver · 04-13-2021, 11:54 AM

I don't have a Morryde pin box. Just the stock Lippert one. But thanks ��

terry and jo · 04-14-2021, 11:59 AM

What little bit I know of the chucking issue is that it seems that the "mating" of one's fifth wheel hitch with one's pin box is the issue. I suppose new shocks might help with that, but I don't know for sure.

A couple of links to maybe help you.

E-trailer Site Explanation of Chucking

Lippert Article on Chucking

At that Lippert article, I noticed that they showed a TrailAir pin box. We have a Ford F450 and a Mobile Suites 38-foot fifth wheel with the TrailAir suspension and TrailAir pin box with Tri-Glide. The Tri-Glide was/is touted to be beneficial for reducing chucking. It may be a good thing as we seldom ever have an issue with chucking. The only time we had a bad issue was on an Oklahoma freeway (turnpike) where they didn't build their elevated sections very well. Those transitions from one section to another really caused violent chucking, enough so that we had to slow down to 45 miles per hour to eliminate it.

Terry

Firstfiver · 04-15-2021, 10:44 AM

So I guess I'd say my chucking is tolerable, and I'm not sure spending another $1500 on a new pin box is worth it, since I'm not sure how much difference it would make. Anybody ever heard of possibly trying out one of those TrailAir units to see the difference pre-purchase?

terry and jo · 04-16-2021, 11:28 AM

This is something of a comparison of different pin boxes in the form of a YouTube video with the RV Doctor using a bobble-head to show the differences.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TIPa65ZUO6o

Terry

Firstfiver · 04-16-2021, 02:48 PM

Interesting video. Thanks

**wingnut60** · 04-17-2021, 03:55 PM

Sorry, don't know where I got the idea you had the Morryde box.

Newbury Wright · 05-09-2021, 08:44 PM

Have you tried using Bilstein shocks on your truck? From what I've heard, they're all top-notch and very reliable.

Firstfiver · 05-10-2021, 08:33 AM

My question was actually about shocks for my 5th wheel. But when the truck needs shocks next I'll certainly look into Bilsteins. Thanks

terry and jo · 05-10-2021, 11:28 AM

I'm no expert on shocks, but would it be possible that Bilstein makes shocks that would fit the fifth wheel? I'm thinking that some have done that.

Maybe someone else can answer with more knowledge.

Terry

Firstfiver · 05-10-2021, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by terry and jo

I'm no expert on shocks, but would it be possible that Bilstein makes shocks that would fit the fifth wheel? I'm thinking that some have done that.

Maybe someone else can answer with more knowledge.

Terry

My shocks would be really short. The distance between mounting locations are only Front 8.75, rear 9.125 inches.