Adding shocks to a Dutchmen T@b?

mdomb529

Is this a job I could do at home or does it require a lift and/or other specialized skills/tools? 

Has anyone managed to find an aftermarket alternative (that is hopefully cheaper and more readily available in the US) than the Al-Ko octagon green shocks?

Thanks! 

pthomas745

It has been discussed...but I didn't look close enough to determine how "do-able" it might be. Look at the first two threads here....

https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-d&sxsrf=ALeKk03UojsCKb6veUWnbmOcLiZCXCUQ5A:1591195913920&ei=CbnXXo_dN_rC0PEP2qeTiA4&q=adding+shocks+site:tab-rv.vanillacommunity.com&oq=adding+shocks+site:tab-rv.vanillacommunity.com&gs_lcp=CgZwc3ktYWIQA1DZEFjLM2DfOmgAcAB4AIABR4gB8g6SAQIzMJgBAKABAaoBB2d3cy13aXo&sclient=psy-ab&ved=0ahUKEwjPhd7Z8uXpAhV6ITQIHdrTBOEQ4dUDCAs&uact=5

Mouseketab

It is very easy to install the shocks. I installed mine myself. Here are the ones you need

https://www.trailertek.com/brand/al-ko/al-ko-shock-absorber-kit-green

They are not cheap, but that is the only ones that will work. You need the kit that includes those metal things, not a set with just the bolts.

rfuss928

Alko shock kit as installed on our 2009 T@B.  


This picture shows how the brackets supplied with the kit connect the shock to the swing arm of the torsion axle.


There is a discussion here about adding shocks.
https://tab-rv.vanillacommunity.com/discussion/10375/shock-absorbers

mdomb529

Perfect. Just ordered them. Shipping was a doozy, but at least there was an 11% off coupon code, we don't get charged VAT, and the pound is still relatively weak, historically speaking. 

@Mouseketab - Are you aware of any attempts by anyone to set up a DM T@b buying group for consolidating orders shipped from overseas? 

 Mouseketab said:

It is very easy to install the shocks. I installed mine myself. Here are the ones you need

https://www.trailertek.com/brand/al-ko/al-ko-shock-absorber-kit-green

They are not cheap, but that is the only ones that will work. You need the kit that includes those metal things, not a set with just the bolts.

Mouseketab

No, I really don't. I've ordered a few things here and there from across the pond, just by googling for what I needed. I got my shocks, jockey wheel, stabilizer nut, etc.

mdomb529

Thanks, @rfuss928. I had previously found the post you linked, but it's a lot more meaningful to me now that I've looked at the product on the website linked by @Mouseketab. I love this forum!

@rfuss928 and @Mouseketab, will I need to lift my T@b and/or remove the wheel in order to install the shocks? If so, I'll have to start thinking about which friends I want to hit up for help :-)

Mouseketab

No you don't. I believe I just lowered the tongue really low and crawled under.

mdomb529

It might be worthwhile for those of us who are still running the DM T@bs to create an email list so we can give others a heads up when we're about to place an order in case anybody wants to join, especially if there's flat shipping. I suppose this type of arrangement might require some inconvenience for the person placing the order. But, for example, I'd love to place an order for multiple sealed bearing kits and give others the ability to purchase them at a more reasonable cost than they're currently available through Nucamp or by ordering one set from overseas. I just spent $290 to have my local dealer install bearings, and I'm certain that if I had the bearings myself and took it to my local mechanic, it probably would have cost me half that.

Mouseketab

Actually, nuCamp stocks the bearings and brakes for the Al-Ko frames. Just call a T@B dealer (Princess Craft in Texas does great for parts), tell them you need a set of bearings or brakes for the Dutchmen T@Bs, then they will have them drop shipped to you from nuCamp. I replace my bearings myself. Jack up the trailer, put it on jackstands and take the hubs to a machine shop to have the old bearings pressed out and the new ones pressed in for about $20, then put it all back together. I keep a set of bearings and brakes on hand at all times just in case because it can take time to get a set, and that is not good on the road.

mdomb529

I ended up installing the Al-Ko shocks on my T@b.  Here's my semi-in-depth discussion:  https://tab-rv.vanillacommunity.com/discussion/11122/dm-t-b-i-installed-al-ko-shocks/p1?new=1

dyoakum

I am having trouble finding these shocks available. They don't want to ship to the USA. Any tips on how to order them?