Which "Shocker" shock absorbing trailer hitch?

[gtgarner]

I have the "Shocker Air Equalizer & Chain Style WD Hitch 12,000 lbs GTW for 2-5/16 Ball - 8 Hole XR Frame (#SH-7002/SH-7500)"

It works perfectly.

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[65SoYoLO]

OP has a really valid question that most people seem to be ignoring. Would a shock absorbing hitch reduce the stress on the aluminum frame? I don't know, but it seems logical.

I'm sure it can be argued that it's unnecessary, but if it's not cost prohibitive it's worth considering.

It would definitely reduce the shock to the hitch. If you towed a lot, it would be worth it. I would love one but my wallet said "not a chance"

 

[CtGA]

Hey all, I’m probably going to try out the shocker impact cushion hitch. It’s well suited to the Cybertruck’s load specs, and most of my anticipated towing is lighter loads. This isn’t the full airbag setup, but should reduce cyclic loading of the truck frame substantially. Yeah, probably overkill but I’ll have properly matched equipment to the truck and can accommodate any basic towing needs. I’m not planning on much more than my single axle utility trailer that maxes out at 3500lbs. But should that change I’ll be set with a quality hitch that accommodates 12000lbs and 1200tongue weight, above the trucks max. I’ll report back after some experience with it. Not even on order yet.

https://shockerhitch.com/product/sh...-ball-mount-options=black-combo-2-2-5-16-ball

 

[mongo]

It seems like these units would help with impulse shock from mechanical slop [Edit: actually, any differential movement by spreading the impulse] , but also [potentially] make tongue torque worse due to the longer pin to ball distance.

 

[CtGA]

It seems like these units would help with impulse shock from mechanical slop [Edit: actually, any differential movement by spreading the impulse] , but also [potentially] make tongue torque worse due to the longer pin to ball distance.

Yes, that’s a valid consideration about moving the hitch ball back about 3 inches. I had grok help me through the math on it, and reducing the tongue weight limit to about 1000 pounds is highly conservative. In reality, my 3500 pound trailer will likely never get above 500 pounds of tongue weight anyhow it’s definitely something to be aware of and a tongue weight scale might be useful if I think I’m approaching any sort of limit. All good things to be aware of.

With regards to subframe failures or gigacasting failures due to exceedance of tongue weight limits, (such as in the clickbait videos) it’s worth noting that an F150 or Silverado will suffer plastic deformation to the subframe or hitch assembly at similar or slightly higher weights applied directly to the hitch ball as where the Cybertruck failed.

The bigger issue here might be cyclic loading over years and years of towing. I think that the rest of the truck will wear out way sooner than the point at which you’ll face a catastrophic failure due to work hardening from cycle loading that fails the subframe.

It’s important to keep in mind that the cyber truck frame failures that were demonstrated in the click bait videos occurred with a dynamic load that was over 10 times the rated load capacity.

I just ordered the hitch ball that I linked above and will be happy to report back with my weekend warrior Home Depot and municipal dump towing experiences. At some point, I will likely do a five or 6 Hour Drive with the trailer and can report on that too.

 

[mongo]

Yes, that’s a valid consideration about moving the hitch ball back about 3 inches. I had grok help me through the math on it, and reducing the tongue weight limit to about 1000 pounds is highly conservative. In reality, my 3500 pound trailer will likely never get above 500 pounds of tongue weight anyhow it’s definitely something to be aware of and a tongue weight scale might be useful if I think I’m approaching any sort of limit. All good things to be aware of.

With regards to subframe failures or gigacasting failures due to exceedance of tongue weight limits, (such as in the clickbait videos) it’s worth noting that an F150 or Silverado will suffer plastic deformation to the subframe or hitch assembly at similar or slightly higher weights applied directly to the hitch ball as where the Cybertruck failed.

The bigger issue here might be cyclic loading over years and years of towing. I think that the rest of the truck will wear out way sooner than the point at which you’ll face a catastrophic failure due to work hardening from cycle loading that fails the subframe.

It’s important to keep in mind that the cyber truck frame failures that were demonstrated in the click bait videos occurred with a dynamic load that was over 10 times the rated load capacity.

I just ordered the hitch ball that I linked above and will be happy to report back with my weekend warrior Home Depot and municipal dump towing experiences. At some point, I will likely do a five or 6 Hour Drive with the trailer and can report on that too.

Yeah, you shouldn't have as problem with your trailer.

Not sure what Grok was saying, Tesla specs out 7.3 inches pin to ball, I think it's more like 8, but haven't made a test jig accurate enough to verify. 11 verus 8 for the same torque at the pin is 800 vs 1,100 pounds. However, while Tesla used that in their cargo load calculation, the actual fulcrum is further away, so the numbers are conservative.

Regarding the "failure" video, it was around 10x the static tongue weight, but actual test loads are around 5-6k. Still gives a 2x factor for fatigue.

 

[CtGA]

Yeah, you shouldn't have as problem with your trailer.

Not sure what Grok was saying, Tesla specs out 7.3 inches pin to ball, I think it's more like 8, but haven't made a test jig accurate enough to verify. 11 verus 8 for the same torque at the pin is 800 vs 1,100 pounds. However, while Tesla used that in their cargo load calculation, the actual fulcrum is further away, so the numbers are conservative.

Regarding the "failure" video, it was around 10x the static tongue weight, but actual test loads are around 5-6k. Still gives a 2x factor for fatigue.

Might have been an inconsistency on info on distance of pin to ball. I’ll verify before going anywhere near limits, of course!

 

[HaulingAss]

Hey all, I’m probably going to try out the shocker impact cushion hitch. It’s well suited to the Cybertruck’s load specs, and most of my anticipated towing is lighter loads. This isn’t the full airbag setup, but should reduce cyclic loading of the truck frame substantially.

It's baffling why you are even concerned with shock loading.

The Cybertruck is rated to tow 11,000 lbs. and that's without any shock absorbing hitch at all. To be clear, shock loading shouldn't be any issue at all. Just use quality tow balls and mounts that fit as they should. A shock absorbing mount can actually introduce new problems.

Don't try to solve problems that don't exist! I am giving you solid advice, and that's how you want your trailer connected to the Cybertruck, solidly, not with a bunch of shock absorbing materials in the mount.

 

[CtGA]

It's baffling why you are even concerned with shock loading.

The Cybertruck is rated to tow 11,000 lbs. and that's without any shock absorbing hitch at all. To be clear, shock loading shouldn't be any issue at all. Just use quality tow balls and mounts that fit as they should. A shock absorbing mount can actually introduce new problems.

Don't try to solve problems that don't exist! I am giving you solid advice, and that's how you want your trailer connected to the Cybertruck, solidly, not with a bunch of shock absorbing materials in the mount.

A more comfortable ride is reason enough for me to try it out, I’ll let you know what my experience is, I’m not demanding anyone else try it out, and don’t worry about how I spend my cash, it’s all good!

 

[65SoYoLO]

It's baffling why you are even concerned with shock loading.

The less impact to the trailer hitch, the better. Tractor trailers started out with leaf springs now they have airbags... less shock

 

[Outdoors]

Just don't forget it is back there. All these things lead to comfort. If one doesn't tow often, it can induce more problems. Like lack of any feel or understanding the towing object.

Whatever works for ya. I always stay clear of anything towed by less than a DOT hauler, and those can be worse. The hitches I see are insane, and contribute to many crashes annually.

Don't just order it on Amazon. Order it from a trailershop/ hitch place get the advice, and stop experminteing.

Signed a multi hundred thousand mile trailer person.

 

[charliemagpie]

I did my research.. overkill using eg. Gen Y hitch, or the Shocker Hitch

I think I will settle for the Curt 45951 XD hitch :
https://www.amazon.com/Curt-Manufacturing-45951-Rebellion-Adjustable/dp/B09RFZYZP2?th=1

More lightweight, dampening, and cheaper,no need to inflate. Pain in the A..

 

[earthworm]

The shocker hitch is great. I have used it for a few years starting with my model X. It is a completely different experience towing, and you don't feel anything behind you. No jolts, bumps, jerks when the trailer goes over road imperfections. I find it also improves stability when road conditions are slick or wet - tire grip can be used for actual traction instead of dampening out trailer jerks.

Folks that advocate against this simply haven't experienced the bliss of a normal ride while towing. You won't go back.

I got mine from ebay as a remanufactured unit from the same folks that make them. From what I could tell, it looked brand new and was just a few hundred cheaper. I guess they want a piece of the used market.

One upside is the ball is extended an inch or two, which for my trailer is enough for me to max out my steering and not clip the truck. One less thing to worry about.

Only downside is I had to cut out part of the lower valence. I leave it attached to the dust cover by the middle of the three twist locks. When I am not towing, it still fits and covers everything up just fine. Be advised the pedestrian warning speaker wire is in the path of where you cut, so you first want to reach in and ziptie it to the top of the bumper hitch thingy so its out of the way.

 

[HaulingAss]

The less impact to the trailer hitch, the better. Tractor trailers started out with leaf springs now they have airbags... less shock

The less impact to the trailer hitch, the better for what?

If all your components fit tightly, there should be no significant impact. Putting a flexy absorber in between to the tow vehicle and trailer tongue can actually introduce undesirable oscillations.

The bottom line, its unnecessary and offers no advantage.

 

[HaulingAss]

No jolts, bumps, jerks when the trailer goes over road imperfections. I find it also improves stability when road conditions are slick or wet - tire grip can be used for actual traction instead of dampening out trailer jerks.

Huh? If you are using quality towing gear, everything should fit tightly enough that you don't feel any jolts or jerks when going over road imperfections. If it was jolting/jerking I would want to know about it because that implies something is wrong.

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