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air ride vs. shocker hitch?

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jackbrat
Reg. Sep 2005
Posted 2015-05-27 11:49 AM (#163554)
Subject: air ride vs. shocker hitch?


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Posts: 610
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Location: Northern CA
Hi All,I need a smoother ride for myself and my horse. I just purchased an 2012 Exiss 4'shortwall, 3-horse LQ gooseneck trailer.(took trailer to scales and it weighs 6600 dry weight) I tow with an 2002 GMC Sierra Duramax 2500 4x4. I feel the jerky stop and go as well as the side to side sway from the trailer. I do not have air bags suspension on the truck at all. Will look into that one later. I have been looking at "shocker hitch" and "air ride". Shocker hitch at $799 and the air ride at $1300. Has any one out there used both these and if so.....which did you like better? Thanks!
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justgurn
Reg. Oct 2010
Posted 2015-05-27 12:46 PM (#163555 - in reply to #163554)
Subject: RE: air ride vs. shocker hitch?



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Posts: 259
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Location: Topeka Ks
I pulled with 2500 HD for 130k and know what your talking about. I installed Air Lift airbags on the suspension which helped the side to side and take off. I also used a cody cushion.
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jackbrat
Reg. Sep 2005
Posted 2015-05-27 2:02 PM (#163556 - in reply to #163555)
Subject: RE: air ride vs. shocker hitch?


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Hi justgurn,I do need to install rear bags on the truck as it does squat a tiny bit. I just sold my cody cushion as i bought another trailer(immediately sold trailer) before i bought the LQ. The Cody cushionwouldnt work for the other trailer. Shoot.
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gard
Reg. Aug 2007
Posted 2015-05-27 7:49 PM (#163557 - in reply to #163554)
Subject: RE: air ride vs. shocker hitch?


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Location: western PA
Try the Timbrens at less than half the price. No side to side away or maintenance.
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justgurn
Reg. Oct 2010
Posted 2015-05-28 7:47 AM (#163561 - in reply to #163554)
Subject: RE: air ride vs. shocker hitch?



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Posts: 259
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Location: Topeka Ks
Jackbrat, I don’t think you should be having these problems with a 6600 pound empty trailer and maybe 9500 fully loaded. Before I would start buying gadgets, I would have the truck and trailer looked at by a shop. Treat the cause and not the symptoms. Here is what I would look at before I took it to the shop Issue #1 Jerky stop – I would look at the brake controller, trailer brakes, wiring from controller to brakes especially the grounds, suspension (spring wrap) and ball is loose in the socket grease to ball.Issue #2 Jerky take off – I would make sure the drivetrain fasteners are tight (transmission to bellhousing driveshaft etc.), suspension (spring wrap) and ball is loose in the socket and grease to ball.Issue #3 Side to Side sway – Make sure the tires properly inflated, proper load range E, and suspension (spring wrap).
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301duster
Reg. Jan 2009
Posted 2015-06-01 7:51 PM (#163619 - in reply to #163554)
Subject: RE: air ride vs. shocker hitch?


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Posts: 188
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Location: Ingalls, Ks
Star performance hitch (sphitch) low maintenance very good hitch. Really like mine!!
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horsey1
Reg. Dec 2004
Posted 2015-06-02 6:19 AM (#163620 - in reply to #163554)
Subject: RE: air ride vs. shocker hitch?


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As mentioned, check the basics.

But the air system you mention IS NOT air ride. It is air helper springs. A true air ride would do wonders, and starts at $4,000 plus. The air helpers are great, but on this lightly loaded pin weight, I don't expect much if any difference. Just my opinion. And have owned both systems.
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jackbrat
Reg. Sep 2005
Posted 2015-06-04 11:43 PM (#163649 - in reply to #163554)
Subject: RE: air ride vs. shocker hitch?


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Posts: 610
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Location: Northern CA
Hi All,
Update. Most of the problem was my tires. I bought Cooper all terrains brand bew 3 years ago. Only 24,000 miles on them and they were already separating and cupping badly. The mechanic said he was surprised i made it to him without a blow out! . I paid $1100 for all 5 new tires plus install and all else. Ugh!!!!! Never thought 3 years later....that i would be purchasing new tires again. Sooooo bummed. Anyways....went back to the BF Goodrich all terrains a/t. I should have went with those again as the last set lasted me like 7 years before i went with the crappy Coopers.
my truck was literally bouncing down the road. I had two people follow me on the freeway and they said the same thing....."your truck is bouncing all over the road". So, the Coopers were defective from the get go as i noticed the bad ride immediately. I went back to the tire store where i purchased the Cooprrs and was told the noise was my tire pattern. ( you could hear me coming from two blocks away. ) that same store told me i needed new shocks. So, i had new shocks installed. Still didnt help. And yes, i did rotate and balance every 10,000k. I did the alignment twice cause they ssid my alignment was out
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jackbrat
Reg. Sep 2005
Posted 2015-06-04 11:51 PM (#163650 - in reply to #163554)
Subject: RE: air ride vs. shocker hitch?


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Posts: 610
500100
Location: Northern CA
And now....i just received my new shockerhitch today. It wont work with my truck. Sits the nose of my trailer too high. I have the stinger at the lowest setting. My truck is an older 2002 4x4. It does not look "lifted" like all the newer trucks these days. I really want a smoother tow with my rig. And a smoother ride for my horse who now does not like to ride in the trailer any more. For those of you with a "shocker hitch" brand.......what do you tow with and what mods did you have to do to ensure proper fit and a level rig?
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retento
Reg. Aug 2004
Posted 2015-06-05 1:46 AM (#163651 - in reply to #163554)
Subject: RE: air ride vs. shocker hitch?


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Location: Rocky Mount N.C.
You may have to trim off some of the 4" mounting tube on your new hitch so it will slide up further into the female trailer tube. Needs to be cut with a porta- band or a table band saw. Compare it with the old hitch you pulled out, or use the old hitch as a guide to cut new hitch..... Once you cut the new tube, you probably won't be able to return to to the vendor for a refund. I would cut to fit!!
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