Off-Road trailer suspension
 

I was about to order shocks for my build, but got confused by some opinions. I'm building the trailer from scratch using some boxed frame pieces I found. As of suspension I decided to go with simple and easy solution by using YJ springs. I mounted the spring and axle and checked the sizing for the shocks. I need ~19" extended with ~6-7" of travel. I found several options in Rancho line-up.
I was leaning towards Rancho 9000 valve adjustable, but my supplier recommends 5000 series which is not valve adjustable. His point is that I'm not riding on it to feel the difference and it going to bounce anyway, so why spend x2 on adjustable one. 5000 does cost ~1/2 of 9000. He was honest for me for a long time and also the fact that he will make less money if I go with 5000, makes me think that he got some point. But I'm just not convinced yet on 5000. What do you guys think of this? Should I go as originally planned with 9000s or save myself $120 on 5000s?

I think it depends on what range of weights you will be carrying in the trailer. The 9000's would be nice because if you go from carrying 200 lbs to 1500 lbs, you can dial up the shock damping to help adjust to the new weight.

Me personally, I would just go with the cheapest shocks I can find (probably not even Ranchos) since it's just a trailer and who cares what the ride quality is. :bah:

Junkyard

This is exactly was point of view. Trailer would weight approx. 700-800lbs. Potential load may vary from 200lbs of just tnt, chairs and other camping gear for a day or two out to fully loaded 1000lbs of load for long-term expeditions. I thoght that the adjustment would make it easier to tow in this case. Am I right? Do I miss anything? I also thought that it should help to transport food and fridges inside comfy trailer, or wouldn't it matter what shock I have for this reason?

Why not go RSX's which are self adjusting and not worry about? :think:

Well, a pair of Rancho 9000's isn't THAT expensive, I would go with whatever you want and call it a day :wrench: I don't think it would really make the trailer "easier" to tow per say, but I can think of some situations where it might be nice I guess.

Yes and no. 9000s are run for $147 a piece and 5000s are $76 each.

I didn't like RSX, as theyseems to be regular shocks with different speed bumping. It may good for small car, but not for trailer or big truck.
They are unpopular in Canada and all Special Order which puts them to 9000 price range.

I believe they're an auto damping shock...or go with the Trailmaster SSV which is an auto valve adjusting shock as well.

i think a softer valved shock would be better for a trailer. the harsher the valving, the more you are going to feel the trailer jerk around your rig. you aren't applying power to the axle, so it won't be hopping anyway, where the stiffer shocks would help.

Al