[VAC] Re: Newbie Trailer Shock Question

["Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, electrical engineer" <geraldj@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Having good shocks keeps the glasses, beans and hiking boots in their
cabinets, not smashed on the floor. Keeps the windows and doors intact
and the stove and sink anchored to their counters and the seat and bed
cushions in their places instead of mixed in with the smashed glasses
and beans on the floor. And keeps the wheels on the ground a higher
percentage of the time while traveling. The trailer is more stable in a
cross wind when the tires are on the ground, tends to sway more easily
when the tires are in the air.

A first check for their condition involves jumping up and down on the
back bumper. If the trailer bounces more than one cycle after you get it
moving and jump off the shocks are not doing their job. If you can't
make it move except by tire flex, it could be that the shocks are rusted
tight not allowing the springs to take up motion.

A final check on shock quality is to compare their resistance of motion
in each direction with a new shock. Likely your old ones if not rusted
fast move easily giving no benefit.

Gerald J.