Are there any bright sparks on here that can help me with a question relating to trailer shock absorbers? It's for my horse trailer, I know not strictly caravan related but sale difference.
We've just bought said trailer and the shocks are very rusty and I think need changing. I've contacted the (German) manufacturer and they're heinously expensive to get like for like, is anyone able to tell me what the possibility is of fitting an alternative? Happy to supply sizes/weight limits etc if anyone can seriously help!
Measure the extension and compression length, measure and take a pic of the top/bottom fixing points and then contatct some of the specialist vehicle supply firms, maybe Merlin Motor Sport or Demon Tweaks.
They have access to the shock absorber manyfacturers catalogues, or some can be contacted directly, Maybe Monroe or Spax.
You dont say though how much you were heinously quoted ?
Quote: Originally posted by roz84 on 10/4/2024
£312 for two - I can see similar alko ones for £40 each, slightly higher weight rating but the measurements are very similar....
Mmmmm.....£312 for two is rather heinous !!!
A higher rating may cause the suspension to very hard.
Are you able to see any makers name or serial numbers on them ? You may be able to find another manufacturers alternatives.
I'd be quite surprised if a relatively low volume trailer manufacturer had custom made unique dampers unless a peculiar suspension set up, most likely a stock product and relatively cheap if you find the right source.
Identifying the spec may be the challenge, but likely some markings on them to aid you, although not necessarily easy to spot in situ. Measuring and identifying fixings may give a supplier sufficient info.
Thanks - they're so rusty that anything written it stamped on them will be long gone! They are made by BPW (it's a BPW chassis) with a weight rating of 1050kg per axle. I think an alko one may fit but the weight ratings aren't the same.....
Quote: Originally posted by roz84 on 10/4/2024
Thanks - they're so rusty that anything written it stamped on them will be long gone! They are made by BPW (it's a BPW chassis) with a weight rating of 1050kg per axle. I think an alko one may fit but the weight ratings aren't the same.....
argh BPW! you should be able to get hold of them from a caravan breaker, you need to be looking at caravans from the explorer group such as elddis, compass etc
Just thought I'd update this in case it helps anyone else - in the end we fitted the blue ALKO hexagon type ones and they've been absolutely fine, we could see eventually that these were what the trailer manufacturer was using on their newer version of the same trailer so figured they'd be ok.