Aluminum Camper Forum

Livin Lite Forum => Livin Lite General Discussion => Topic started by: dlb53151 on August 25, 2018, 03:52:47 PM

Title: Springs
Post by: dlb53151 on August 25, 2018, 03:52:47 PM
Has anyone put springs on their Livin Lite trailer?  Is it worth doing?


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Title: Re: Springs
Post by: Merlin on August 25, 2018, 05:13:13 PM
You may mean shock absorbers? If so, I don't think anyone on the forum has added those. In the thousands of miles I've towed many different kinds of trailers, I've only felt shocks would have helped on the rare super bad road. We hit one of those roads for 15 miles total in Saskatchewan this summer that really needed trailer shocks, but that's it, in an over 5000 mile trip.
Title: Re: Springs
Post by: dlb53151 on August 25, 2018, 06:42:03 PM
Yep - shocks.  We have hit some bad roads in the Midwest.  Thanks.


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Title: Re: Springs
Post by: Steve Sanders on August 25, 2018, 07:12:08 PM
The axles on these trailers weren't designed for shock absorbers. I don't think there are any provisions for mounting locations either. I'm not aware of any way to add shock absorbers when no design provision exists.

If the trailer is under 1,700 pounds and too bouncy on bumps, try less air pressure.

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Title: Re: Springs
Post by: Merlin on August 25, 2018, 07:31:48 PM
The torsion suspension in my '15 Camplite is not amenable to shocks.

However, the last couple of years of Camplite construction used leaf springs. I think that type of suspension can have shocks installed, according to a recent technical article in Trailer Life magazine. However, shock mounts may need to be added? Although far more capacity than a Camplite needs, here's an example:

http://www.trailerlife.com/tech/suspension-nirvana/

I strongly recommend against reducing tire pressure from the recommended psi; a blowout is far more serious than a bouncy trailer.
Title: Re: Springs
Post by: Steve Sanders on August 26, 2018, 02:35:39 PM
Recommend tire pressure is based on the amount of load applied to each tire. Most RV trailers are designed with just enough tires to carry the load, so max pressure is correct for them. This has led to the incorrect understanding that MAX pressure is the only safe pressure. This is absolutely incorrect!

In most cases the tires on Quicksilver campers have less than half of the load that the tires can handle at max pressure. In this situation, inflation to MAX is absolutely wrong and creates problems.

I'm not recommending operating below required pressure for the load. I am recommending proper pressure for the application.

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