Best shocks for towing?

[Graybeard]

My truck is used for towing a 7,000 lb. travel trailer. Between camping trips, its used for driving around town and occasional hauling. I'm looking for heavier-duty shocks that'll not only help when I tow the trailer, but also won't stiffen the ride too much when the truck is unloaded. Anyone got any suggestions?

[Derwud]

Originally Posted by Graybeard

My truck is used for towing a 7,000 lb. travel trailer. Between camping trips, its used for driving around town and occasional hauling. I'm looking for heavier-duty shocks that'll not only help when I tow the trailer, but also won't stiffen the ride too much when the truck is unloaded. Anyone got any suggestions?

Call Greg at PRG.. He can offer you at 5 different options. But the 3 that come to mind are the 2 Bilstiens and ICON shocks.. The Bilstiens can be done all around for very little money and would be a HUGE improvement.

I would also recomend air bags and the updated rear spring shackles from PRG as well...

[HudsonValleyTitan]

Originally Posted by Graybeard

My truck is used for towing a 7,000 lb. travel trailer. Between camping trips, its used for driving around town and occasional hauling. I'm looking for heavier-duty shocks that'll not only help when I tow the trailer, but also won't stiffen the ride too much when the truck is unloaded. Anyone got any suggestions?

I tow a heavy TT myself and have been very happy with the stock shocks. I had the OR package on my 04 with the Ranchos and have the same on my new 08 PRO-4X. I believe Bilstein makes a set for us as well.

[Smoke05]

Hudson, You should stop by the PRG website. He reviews shocks there. The Rancho's that come on the Pro4X are basically no better or different than the non Rancho's that come on the non Pro4X. White paint is the biggest difference. Bilstiens are best bang for the buck IMHO. I am plannin gon installing them with a PRG leveling kit soon.

[Derwud]

Originally Posted by Smoke05

Hudson, You should stop by the PRG website. He reviews shocks there. The Rancho's that come on the Pro4X are basically no better or different than the non Rancho's that come on the non Pro4X. White paint is the biggest difference. Bilstiens are best bang for the buck IMHO. I am plannin gon installing them with a PRG leveling kit soon.

The Non Off Road shocks are better than the O/R Shocks... But they are worthles compared to ICON or Bilstiens...

[HudsonValleyTitan]

Originally Posted by Smoke05

Hudson, You should stop by the PRG website. He reviews shocks there. The Rancho's that come on the Pro4X are basically no better or different than the non Rancho's that come on the non Pro4X. White paint is the biggest difference. Bilstiens are best bang for the buck IMHO. I am plannin gon installing them with a PRG leveling kit soon.

The Ranchos are quite different...maybe not better than some others.....definitely better than the crappy regular stockers and there are probably better shocks out there but these handle a large tow and go OR very very well. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. I often disagree with reviews. How a vehicle is used makes a big difference. I'm not jumping berms or dunes and had no issues with the Ranchos on my 04. And I don't usually keep a vehicle long enough to need shocks replaced... .

[Smoke05]

Originally Posted by HudsonValleyTitan

The Ranchos are quite different...maybe not better than some others.....definitely better than the crappy regular stockers and there are probably better shocks out there but these handle a large tow and go OR very very well. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. I often disagree with reviews. How a vehicle is used makes a big difference. I'm not jumping berms or dunes and had no issues with the Ranchos on my 04. And I don't usually keep a vehicle long enough to need shocks replaced... .

If by quite different you mean painted white with stickers on them then you are correct. They base line Ranchos. Put on for name only. They are not an expensive shock. They are generics that are sold under many names. Edelbrock, Skyjacker and many more. They are one of the reasons I didn't bite for the "Off Road" package. When I did the math it was essentially skid plates, overrated shocks, a electric locking rear diff, different tires and wheels and the low ratio rear gears. The only significant change from a Titan with Big tow was the e locker which was no big loss as it only came into play if using 4wd low.

[Derwud]

Originally Posted by Smoke05

If by quite different you mean painted white with stickers on them then you are correct. They base line Ranchos. Put on for name only. They are not an expensive shock. They are generics that are sold under many names. Edelbrock, Skyjacker and many more. They are one of the reasons I didn't bite for the "Off Road" package. When I did the math it was essentially skid plates, overrated shocks, a electric locking rear diff, different tires and wheels and the low ratio rear gears. The only significant change from a Titan with Big tow was the e locker which was no big loss as it only came into play if using 4wd low.

Wow, I agree with you Smoke.. It was part of packages on my truck, but I could have done without it.. In fact my 04 was just an SE 4x4 with Pop package and nothing else..



Yes the hitch was WAY out of adjustment.. But that truck did great without bags, overload spring and with black stock shocks..

[gksmith]

I'm adding the RoadMaster Active Suspension I got off that very popular auction site for $69. If they don't help I will probably upgrade the shocks. Air bags are my last choice just because unless you get an automagic pump, keeping them manually inflated sucks - especially when it's windy and snowing and you have to check the bags.

BTW - looks like you have a mod to turn on fogs without the headlights?

[Smoke05]

Originally Posted by gksmith

I'm adding the RoadMaster Active Suspension I got off that very popular auction site for $69. If they don't help I will probably upgrade the shocks. Air bags are my last choice just because unless you get an automagic pump, keeping them manually inflated sucks - especially when it's windy and snowing and you have to check the bags.

BTW - looks like you have a mod to turn on fogs without the headlights?

Shocks will not help reduce sag, weight distribution or load capacity in any way. Just vehicle control by allowing good compression and rebound of the suspension. The stock shocks suck at rebound. It is practically non existant. I am upgrading to the Bilstiens when I add the leveling kit next month.

[racefan92307]

I have just added Rancho RS9000 XL'S to my truck and i tow a deck boat, very happy with the way they perform. I like that you can adjust them when you have a load on the rear, but able to re adjust with out load to maintain ride quality.