5.0TA shock absorber installed?

[Rzrbrn]

Thinking about ordering a 5.0TA. Currently have a Casita 17'SD with shock absorbers (Orbital Machine Works) installed. Casita has the Dexter axle, the shocks work well.

Is there a shock kit for the 5.0TA available? Has anyone done this modification?

[Jim Bennett]

There is not really a need for shocks as Escape uses TorFlex axles which effectively give you a dampened suspension.

[Chotch]

I’ve towed our 5.0 for about 10k mi. Whenever we arrive at our destinations everything is in its place, so I have to think it’s riding ok. 🤔 Why fix what’s not broke?

[rubicon327]

Back in 2014 Jim from Orbital Machine Works was exploring the idea of a shock kit for Escapes but it never came to fruition. I think he retired too. The initial discussion was discussed in this thread.

http://www.escapeforum.org/forums/f9...oads-4567.html

[tdf-texas]

Originally Posted by Rzrbrn

Thinking about ordering a 5.0TA. Currently have a Casita 17'SD with shock absorbers (Orbital Machine Works) installed. Casita has the Dexter axle, the shocks work well.

Is there a shock kit for the 5.0TA available? Has anyone done this modification?

I had a 2013 Casita SD with the orbital shocks installed. Before the shocks, everything in the trailer would be displaced and/or the doors popped open each time we hit a bump in the road. After installing the shocks, the ride was much improved! At least, things didn't move around as much.

Now I have an Escape 21 and had thought that shocks were needed as well before we picked up the trailer. After putting some miles on the new trailer, I can say without a doubt that the Escape without shocks rides smoother than the Casita did with them. There is a night and day difference between a single and a tandem axle trailer in the way it handles bumps in the road.

Shocks on an Escape would help but they are not the dramatic difference that you see with the Casita. I'm not sure I would be willing to pay for the upgrade cost for shocks given the slight improvement that could be made. The Escape rides really good as it is.

[tdf-texas]

Originally Posted by Jim Bennett

There is not really a need for shocks as Escape uses TorFlex axles which effectively give you a dampened suspension.

The Casita and the Escape both use the same Dexter #10 3500lb Torflex Axle.

You're right in that the Escape uses two Torflex axles which effectively give you a dampened suspension - the tandem axle arrangement really cuts down on the bounce!

[Rzrbrn]

Thanks everyone, very informative.

[cpaharley2008]

Also the tandem axles ride a lot smoother than the single axles,,,,