John Welte Posted Friday at 02:41 PM Share Posted Friday at 02:41 PM Hi all, I plan to replace the four leaf spring type with Alcan five leaf type springs. The weak point in the four leaf spring type is that three inch section to the eye that's a single piece. Our trailer is hull number 1290, one of the last built in 2022. I thought it might be good to replace the shocks at the same time. I have about 12,000 miles on the trailer. My question is what model number and brand is best? John John and Debbie, Beaverton, Oregon, 2017 Ford Expedition EL 4x4 3.5 liter Ecoboost, with heavy duty tow package. Hull #1290, twin bed with Truma package (a/c, furnace, hot water heater with electric antifreeze option), lithium pro package, picked up November 7, 2022 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geronimo John Posted Friday at 03:37 PM Share Posted Friday at 03:37 PM (edited) 22 hours ago, John Welte said: The weak point in the four leaf spring type is that three inch section to the eye that's a single piece. If you had said "OEM Leaf Spring" I would of course agree 100%. Its only got about 11 pounds of metal and most of us agree it is undersized/undersprung for OTT OE2 fleet wide use. The Dexter 2400 pound rated PB4 PR4 is a bunch more beefy spring than the OEM ones. It weighs about a pound less than the Alcan's. So to cast dispersion on ALL four leaf springs is a streach at best. It is also an exact fit without any of the user's reported challenges that have posted about the Alcan's. GJ Edited Saturday at 12:59 PM by Geronimo John typo 1 TV: 2019 F-150 SuperCrew Lariat, 3.5L EcoBoost, Max Tow, FX-4, Rear Locker OLLIE: 2018 OE2 Hull 342, Twin Bed. OLLIE DIY’s: Timken Bearings, BB LiFePO4's, Victron 712 Smart, 350 Amp Master Switch, Houghton 3400, Victron Orion DC - DC, 3000-Watt Renogy Inverter, P.D. 60-amp Converter, Frig Dual Exhaust Fans, Kitchen Drawer Straps. TV DIY’s: 2 5/16" Anderson System, Nitto recon’s, Firestone Rear Air Bags, Bilstein 5100’s, Mud Flaps & Weather Tech all, installed Ham Radio (WH6JPR). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rich.dev Posted Friday at 04:17 PM Share Posted Friday at 04:17 PM 37 minutes ago, Geronimo John said: The Dexter 2400 pound rated PB4 is a bunch more beefy spring than the OEM ones GJ, is PB4 a typo, isn't it PR4? 1 1 2023 Elite II, Hull# 1386, Lithium Platinum Package (640AH, 400W Solar, 3000W Xantrex Inverter) Truma water heater & AC TV: 2024 Silverado 2500HD 6.6L 10-Speed Allison Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rich.dev Posted Friday at 04:20 PM Share Posted Friday at 04:20 PM 1 hour ago, John Welte said: My question is what model number and brand is best? I believe this bulldog shock is a direct replacement for the Monroe 555001 https://www.4statetrucks.com/bulldog-hd-shock-absorber-replaces-555001-19-050000007 1 2023 Elite II, Hull# 1386, Lithium Platinum Package (640AH, 400W Solar, 3000W Xantrex Inverter) Truma water heater & AC TV: 2024 Silverado 2500HD 6.6L 10-Speed Allison Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jd1923 Posted Friday at 06:32 PM Share Posted Friday at 06:32 PM I've been wondering... Some have reported that when upgrading to the Alcan spring it has increased ride height up to an inch and that there is more travel in the leaf spring. Should a replacement shock allow for the greater travel? The Monroe 555001 is the OEM spring. Monroe also has the 555025 model, which is the same overall yet slightly longer with greater stroke. I copied these specs from the 4statetrucks website, as Bulldog has aftermarket replacements for both models: Shock Specs 555001 555025 Compressed (in) 7.95 8.66 Extended (in) 11.97 13.35 Stroke (in) 4.02 4.69 Perhaps those who have installed Alcan springs can chime in? @Mountainman198 @MAX Burner @ScubaRx and @rideadeuce Did the shocks installed appear the correct length or would it allow for +3/4" in compressed length and +3/4"stroke be a better fit? Sure, the OEM length fit, but would +3/4" in stroke allow the slightly taller springs to perform without constraint? When I get the chance to make this upgrade, I would take before and after measurements on one side prior to ordering (let her sit on jacks stands a couple days to get the right part). I'm figuring 3/4" longer should be better. This has been a discussion on other TT forum websites. Stronger spring rate in the shock would also be preferred although Monroe does not list these specs. Either way I would choose Bulldog over the Monroe OEM brand. Bulldog describes their products as a "High Quality Aftermarket Replacement Part (Not OEM)." This is the ~+3/4" longer version: Bulldog HD RV Shock Absorber Replaces 555025 For Trailer Leaf Spring Retro Kit - 4 State Trucks 1 2 Chris & John in Prescott, AZ | 2016 EII #113 | '01 Ram 2500 Cummins! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Mike and Carol Posted Friday at 08:13 PM Moderators Share Posted Friday at 08:13 PM In May before the rally, Oliver service replaced my springs, shocks, bearings and brakes. Jason did not mention any issues fitting the ALCAN springs I brought. I’m sure they used the stock Monroe shocks. I don’t notice my trailer sitting any higher, although I’m not sure I’d be able to discern a .5-.75” difference. After our summer trip through Colorado and Utah we didn’t notice any significant difference in the ride either. This should be a good setup as we start our second 100,000 miles. Mike 3 2 Texas Hill Country | 2016 Elite II #135 | 2020 Ram 2500 6.7L Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mountainman198 Posted Saturday at 01:16 AM Share Posted Saturday at 01:16 AM Seemed to have plenty of available up/down travel with the stock monroes after installing the Alcan springs. I plan to look long and hard at the Bulldog shocks when the monroes wear out 2 2 2021 Elite II, Hull# 898 2018 Toyota Tundra, 2003 Dodge Ram 3500 5.9l SRW Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Welte Posted Saturday at 05:14 AM Author Share Posted Saturday at 05:14 AM 3 hours ago, Mountainman198 said: Seemed to have plenty of available up/down travel with the stock monroes after installing the Alcan springs. I plan to look long and hard at the Bulldog shocks when the monroes wear out I get the impression that the Bulldog shocks are better made. They don't seem very expensive. Is your Monroe shock the 555001. I can look at what the equivalent number is on the Bulldog. Thanks John John and Debbie, Beaverton, Oregon, 2017 Ford Expedition EL 4x4 3.5 liter Ecoboost, with heavy duty tow package. Hull #1290, twin bed with Truma package (a/c, furnace, hot water heater with electric antifreeze option), lithium pro package, picked up November 7, 2022 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mountainman198 Posted Saturday at 12:02 PM Share Posted Saturday at 12:02 PM 6 hours ago, John Welte said: I get the impression that the Bulldog shocks are better made. They don't seem very expensive. Is your Monroe shock the 555001. I can look at what the equivalent number is on the Bulldog. Thanks John Yes, stock shock for my trailer is the 555001. Appreciate the lookup of the equivalent Bulldog. 2021 Elite II, Hull# 898 2018 Toyota Tundra, 2003 Dodge Ram 3500 5.9l SRW Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geronimo John Posted Saturday at 12:57 PM Share Posted Saturday at 12:57 PM 20 hours ago, rich.dev said: GJ, is PB4 a typo, isn't it PR4? You are correct. PR4 Thanks for the catch. GJ TV: 2019 F-150 SuperCrew Lariat, 3.5L EcoBoost, Max Tow, FX-4, Rear Locker OLLIE: 2018 OE2 Hull 342, Twin Bed. OLLIE DIY’s: Timken Bearings, BB LiFePO4's, Victron 712 Smart, 350 Amp Master Switch, Houghton 3400, Victron Orion DC - DC, 3000-Watt Renogy Inverter, P.D. 60-amp Converter, Frig Dual Exhaust Fans, Kitchen Drawer Straps. TV DIY’s: 2 5/16" Anderson System, Nitto recon’s, Firestone Rear Air Bags, Bilstein 5100’s, Mud Flaps & Weather Tech all, installed Ham Radio (WH6JPR). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim and Chris Neuman Posted Saturday at 03:17 PM Share Posted Saturday at 03:17 PM Can anyone tell here are the Bulldog shocks are made? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Welte Posted Saturday at 05:57 PM Author Share Posted Saturday at 05:57 PM 5 hours ago, Mountainman198 said: Yes, stock shock for my trailer is the 555001. Appreciate the lookup of the equivalent Bulldog. Here is what I found out. 2 John and Debbie, Beaverton, Oregon, 2017 Ford Expedition EL 4x4 3.5 liter Ecoboost, with heavy duty tow package. Hull #1290, twin bed with Truma package (a/c, furnace, hot water heater with electric antifreeze option), lithium pro package, picked up November 7, 2022 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rideandfly Posted Sunday at 12:30 PM Share Posted Sunday at 12:30 PM (edited) We installed Bulldogs this year. Edited Sunday at 12:33 PM by rideandfly 1 4 Bill & Debbie / 2015 LE2 #75 / 2024 F-150/5.0L / North Carolina Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAX Burner Posted Sunday at 01:07 PM Share Posted Sunday at 01:07 PM (edited) We echo @Mike and Carol's comments above. As reported in another thread, we replaced our 12-month old Monroe shocks after we replaced the axles & leaf springs last May. I was surprised that 3 of the 4 Monroes were toast after only 8k miles - but we were not in a position to acquire a set of Bulldogs (in Hohenwald at the time) so we replaced them with OEM Monroes. We've logged just north of 6k miles since May and we function-checked the OEMs at the 5k-mile point - all good. We also checked axle U-bolt nut torques at the same time - all within specs. I'm thinking with the max travel of the axle set being approximately 4-1/4" (2-1/8" up and 2-1/8" down) that the longer stroked Bulldog (4.69") option would be fine given the slightly higher lift with the Alcans. Also, I believe that any higher rated leaf spring will tend to dampen the OTT load at a lower frequency and shorter stroke when under tow as compared to the OEM 4-pack 1,750# springs. This may allow the shock absorbers to last longer, IMO. Regarding towing the Casablanca with upgraded running gear: Like Mike mentioned, no appreciable difference observed in towing during this last 6k+ miles - other than a general overall "solid" feel and less "porpoising" at slower speeds over rougher roads. We reduced the electrical trailer brake gain from 6.0 down to 4.5 due largely to the 12" drums' greater braking action. The OTT always pulled like a champ, anyway - its, quantitatively, a more "confident" towing experience and a "peace of mind" in the overall running gear with the upgrade. Bulldogs are definitely on our radar screen for a swap-out probably when the 10k-mile point is reached on the existing Monroes, FYI. Cheers, All! Edited Monday at 11:49 AM by MAX Burner 2 4 Art, Diane, Magnus & Oscar (double-Aaarrf!) 2022 TUNDRA 2017 LE II; Hull #226 "Casablanca" HAM call-sign: W0ABX Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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