Best shocks for towing with the JK

MauserFan · 04-29-2013, 05:36 PM

Hello, I have a stock 2012 JK and hate the suspension. It's pretty bouncing and rolly, etc. I've been towing occassionally (10-12 times a year) with mostly light loads and a 16ft dual axle trailer. Mostly motorcycles and gear, furniture, etc.

The most recent time towing i could really notice the Jeep felt like the front wheels were a bit "lifted" and I was getting a lot of steering drift going down the highway. I suppose the rear was squatting a bit as you would expect. And I had too much tonque weight towards the front of the trailer, methinks.

But even when doing city driving with nothing towed, the suspension rolls and bounces a bit more than I like. I want to improve the city ride as well as help with towing better. I want to put on some better shocks that will be good for street driving (95% of what I do) as well as good for when I'm towing. What do you suggest?

Trigger · 04-29-2013, 05:47 PM

When I lifted mine, I put Bilstein 5100s on it. They did very well.

MauserFan · 04-29-2013, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trigger

When I lifted mine, I put Bilstein 5100s on it. They did very well.

I'm keeping my 4 door Wrangler Sahara stock, no lift. Bilstein may be overkill and pricey?

Flxratd · 04-29-2013, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MauserFan

I'm keeping my 4 door Wrangler Sahara stock, no lift. Bilstein may be overkill and pricey?

bilsteins 5100s are a nice upgrade over a stock shock and give you a better ride but would not be overkill and are not real pricey in the world of shocks. they would give you a much better ride for general driving but if you are allready dragging arse i dont think they will do you much good. it sounds like you need to better disstribute they weight or be looking into some sort of overload set up but be carefull because even if it will hold it up it doesnt mean it is going to handle or stop it any better.

humpy · 04-29-2013, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MauserFan

I'm keeping my 4 door Wrangler Sahara stock, no lift. Bilstein may be overkill and pricey?

Good shocks are expensive... Cheap shocks are "pretty bouncy and rolly"

With that being said bds is a good affordable shock but still won't perform as well as bilsteins or the higher end shocks

Flxratd · 04-29-2013, 06:16 PM

looks like the 5100s are between 79.95-84.95 ea but it looks like they might not be available for stock height, most of the jk sites are saying 1.5-3" lift with the 5100s. the bilsteins hd,s are avail but know nothing about feedback on those.

MauserFan · 04-29-2013, 06:34 PM

Thanks guys. I appreciate the response.

"Good shocks are expensive... Cheap shocks are "pretty bouncy and rolly"

Yes, you've got me there. I should not be Mr. Cheap and just do it. I'd be happier.

I'll look into the Bilstein HD's. Thanks Flxratd

Trigger · 04-29-2013, 06:58 PM

You might also want to look into Old Man Emu. They are pretty reasonable and I hear they ride pretty well also. I know they haven a regular and an HD setup on their systems.

timido · 04-30-2013, 07:55 AM

If you have to much weight on the trailer tongue you woud have light steering. Move the weight back a little and go for a test drive.

GPER · 04-30-2013, 09:05 AM

Sway A Ways are nice for towing.

MauserFan · 04-30-2013, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by timido

If you have to much weight on the trailer tongue you woud have light steering. Move the weight back a little and go for a test drive.

Yep, that much I understand. I probably didn't need to include all of that info. Just looking for replacement shocks (stock ones seem too soft) that could possibly also aid in towing.

Anyone ever use an air system on the rear for leveling when towing, etc? Just thinking out loud.

GPER - Nice to see you again. It's been awhile since I've been on any Jeep boards. I still recall your willingness to aid me when I broke my front spring mount on my 95 YJ at haspin acres. You saved my butt that day. Thank you.

Flxratd · 04-30-2013, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MauserFan

Anyone ever use an air system on the rear for leveling when towing, etc? Just thinking out loud.

.

i thought i recognized your screen name from terrain stompers days. welcome to core.
as far as air ride helper set ups i have installed several on 1/2 ton trucks for guys pulling to big of travel trailers behind there trucks and have only had good feedback from them on the product and funtion but never looked to see if there is any kind of kit for a jk.. just remember like i said in an earlier post that just because you can hold it up doesnt make it right or safe. any vehicle is designed for a certain load and when you excede it you have load ratings on tires, stress on wheel bearings and underpowered brakes to deal with..

GPER · 04-30-2013, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MauserFan

GPER - Nice to see you again. It's been awhile since I've been on any Jeep boards. I still recall your willingness to aid me when I broke my front spring mount on my 95 YJ at haspin acres. You saved my butt that day. Thank you.

Glad to see you back at it, we do have to stick together.

Are the shocks that you are running now oil or gas filled?? Gas seam to be stiffer for me since I don't run sway bars. Before the lift I ran the coil over shock for towing and they worked great.

twiztedzuki · 04-30-2013, 07:59 PM

this reminds me of "Trucks" on spike on weekends! lmao

coachholland · 05-01-2013, 09:08 AM

Rancho 9000s. Set them stiffer for towing and more moderate for street driving.

drmeece · 05-01-2013, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coachholland

Rancho 9000s. Set them stiffer for towing and more moderate for street driving.

I have the 9000's on my JK and they work well

GPER · 05-02-2013, 10:09 PM

I think you should try what has already been mentioned and check the tongue weight. When I pull my Polaris, I have it marked on the trailer where 170-200 pounds for the tongue weight is.

It works best keeping the weight on the trailer and not the Jeep, now if I had a few more ponies I would have it made.

04-29-2013, 05:36 PM	#1
MauserFan Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Cincinnati Posts: 4	Best shocks for towing with the JK Hello, I have a stock 2012 JK and hate the suspension. It's pretty bouncing and rolly, etc. I've been towing occassionally (10-12 times a year) with mostly light loads and a 16ft dual axle trailer. Mostly motorcycles and gear, furniture, etc. The most recent time towing i could really notice the Jeep felt like the front wheels were a bit "lifted" and I was getting a lot of steering drift going down the highway. I suppose the rear was squatting a bit as you would expect. And I had too much tonque weight towards the front of the trailer, methinks. But even when doing city driving with nothing towed, the suspension rolls and bounces a bit more than I like. I want to improve the city ride as well as help with towing better. I want to put on some better shocks that will be good for street driving (95% of what I do) as well as good for when I'm towing. What do you suggest?

04-29-2013, 06:16 PM	#6
Flxratd Retired Join Date: May 2008 Location: Hamilton/Ross Posts: 645	looks like the 5100s are between 79.95-84.95 ea but it looks like they might not be available for stock height, most of the jk sites are saying 1.5-3" lift with the 5100s. the bilsteins hd,s are avail but know nothing about feedback on those. __________________ One of these days Zuk 2.0

04-30-2013, 07:59 PM	#14
twiztedzuki Join Date: May 2008 Location: Waverly ohio Posts: 586	this reminds me of "Trucks" on spike on weekends! lmao __________________ SMITH BUILT PERIOD

05-01-2013, 09:08 AM	#15
coachholland Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Winchester, KY Posts: 68	Rancho 9000s. Set them stiffer for towing and more moderate for street driving. __________________ Just another three linked stretched '95 YJ on 38s with a bunch of stuff scattered on the garage floor.

04-29-2013, 05:47 PM	#2
Trigger Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Xenia, OH Posts: 281	When I lifted mine, I put Bilstein 5100s on it. They did very well.

04-29-2013, 06:34 PM	#7
MauserFan Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Cincinnati Posts: 4	Thanks guys. I appreciate the response. "Good shocks are expensive... Cheap shocks are "pretty bouncy and rolly" Yes, you've got me there. I should not be Mr. Cheap and just do it. I'd be happier. I'll look into the Bilstein HD's. Thanks Flxratd

04-29-2013, 06:58 PM	#8
Trigger Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Xenia, OH Posts: 281	You might also want to look into Old Man Emu. They are pretty reasonable and I hear they ride pretty well also. I know they haven a regular and an HD setup on their systems.

04-30-2013, 07:55 AM	#9
timido Student Driver Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 197	If you have to much weight on the trailer tongue you woud have light steering. Move the weight back a little and go for a test drive.

04-30-2013, 09:05 AM	#10
GPER Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Kettering, Ohio Posts: 811	Sway A Ways are nice for towing.

05-02-2013, 10:09 PM	#17
GPER Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Kettering, Ohio Posts: 811	I think you should try what has already been mentioned and check the tongue weight. When I pull my Polaris, I have it marked on the trailer where 170-200 pounds for the tongue weight is. It works best keeping the weight on the trailer and not the Jeep, now if I had a few more ponies I would have it made.