Hi, Guys, got a bit of a dilemma and need your thoughts.
I have just bought an old UK caravan to haul around for next spring/summer however I have been informed that I might need a shock linkage fitting to my hitch to absorb any shock created by my rear suspension. I f I dont fit one the shock might crack the chassis of the caravan over time due to the harshness of the rear suspension.

What di you think? There isnt a lot of weight in these UK caravans, will it break or does somebody whant me to spend money on something I dont need?

Hope you can help, thanks Kurt (UK)

 

A caravan is a camper here Im pretty sure and noone worries about any cracking .I would say 99% of the people with campers havent ever seen the shock absorber thing you are describing.It sounds like those people are selling you something you dont need.You might want to get an equalizer hitch and a sway control and a nice brake controller.You can get all of it on ebay if you cant find it anywhere else.Have fun camping or caravaning

 

Hi Kurt,

I am surprised to see that you have an 01, 3500 dually in the UK (mine is an 02 dually, auto, 4x4, long box, LSD rear end, quad cab but I live in Canada). When I lived in Tooting, London, all I could afford was a Hillman Imp (that dates me to mid 1970's).

I doubt very much, that you would need any shock absorber equipment. If you are using just a regular hitch without the weight ditributing bars, you should be fine. The vehicles own suspension will do most of the work - the newer generation of vehicles have a vastly different suspension to the older ones. My 1986 Ford F250 pickup rides like a truck, my 2002 Ram 3500 dually rides very much like a car - the suspension is what I call progressive, the heavier the load, the more harsher is the ride. Thus, light loads ride just fine - noice and soft. I would think you would be fine.

Other than the above, how is the cost of diesel over there - I am paying about two pounds fifty a gallon for dies l here (or 77.9 cents/litre, 4.55 litres = UK gallon - you do the maths).

How big is your trailer length and weight wise?

I am sure you will be fine.

Have a few pints of Guinness for me (actually prefer Youngs Best Bitter - Wandsworth, London brew)

HTH and good luck

Mariner

PS: I tow a 1987 Avion travel trailer that is 35ft from ball to bumper, or 31 coach length. Weighs about 7,500 lbs unloaded and good to 10,000llbs.

 

Thanks guys, this information is much appreciated. As for the diesel situation were running at around $7 per US gallon and I'm getting around 16mpg, but hey if you cant afford to run em dont buy em.

Thanks again guys and sorry for the delay in this reply.

Kurt