I have a customized flat bed M2 Freightliner I use for servicing helicopters. The issue I am running into is the rear shocks keep breaking. Then when we park on a uneven road or hit a bump at high speed the airbags overextend or burst. One issue is the truck is max grossed out at the beginning of the day. Are there a set of heavy duty shocks I can be using that you know of and also can a guy put limit straps on this axel. The only downfall would be if it got so uneven there might not be any traction with the rears.
Rear Shocks Breaking-Limit Straps??
Discussion in 'Flatbed Trucking Forum' started by Heli-truck, Feb 4, 2023.
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Bean Jr. Thanks this.
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Driving over uneven terrain is fully flexing the suspension. Doing that, the shocks are being used as limiters. They’re not designed for that. You’re on the right track, with limiting straps. Mitigating shock damage is exactly why offroad racers use them. Finding one that can handle the weight/downforce of a big truck axle assembly and air bag pressure might be difficult. Monster truck straps are probably going to be your best bet.
Limit Straps - Patrick Enterprises Inc.God prefers Diesels and Rideandrepair Thank this. -
First thought Is shocks are the wrong length and either bottom out or extend all the way on bumps..
IH Truck Guy, OLDSKOOLERnWV, Ruthless and 1 other person Thank this. -
I wonder if a bigger shock, same length is available. Cascadia shock instead. Are they more heavy duty? If so, and if they’re too long, a bracket to extend existing bracket could be added. Maybe even a bracket to mount double shocks side by side. That would at least slow down the movement while driving, but would still need straps for parking to avoid overextending the airbags. Someone might make a quicker response (more expensive) leveling valve. Definitely make sure the ride heights correct, Don’t use the gas charged yellow Monroe’s. That’ll just make the overextending worse. Sound like an interesting gig you’ve got going. Good Luck. Surprised you don’t need some type of jacks or legs for stability while parked, landing helicopters on the bed.
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^^^^^^ My thoughts as well.
If someone put shocks with a short stroke on the truck, the suspension is being limited to less than it’s designed travel….Magoo1968, cke, Rideandrepair and 2 others Thank this. -
Think how much weight each bag can support. Think of it as downforce. If you do end up using straps, make sure whatever they're hooked to can hold that much weight. Otherwise the airbag is going to really tear some stuff up.
cke, Rideandrepair, ducnut and 1 other person Thank this. -
On our trailers with high lift switches for the air bags, they come with these on the shocks.
But as said above if OP has wrong shocks/air bags/adjustment, they would just be a bandaid.
cke, Heli-truck, Rideandrepair and 4 others Thank this. -
Prevents alot of damage when lifting the trailers with a crane to deck them up.....YardMule89, cke, Heli-truck and 3 others Thank this.
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