It can never be a bad idea, but, the benefit you get will be variable
Point is rubber suspension is essentially self damping, provided that is the load carried is equal to the axles stated maximum safe working load.
As the SWL is almost always greater than actual load, plus the built in safety margin, what I believe is shock absorbers help control this difference.
So if SWL and actual load are the same, then little improvement, if though SWL is greater then the improvement will be greater the further the two are apart.
In my case van weighs a maximum of 1300kg, axle has a SWL of 1500kg, I pull it below 1300kg so improvement for me was massive, and I mean massive!
As Gary states Rubber suspension is self damping and you are basicaly adding additional damping slowing the rate the wheels return to their normal ride height.
in my eyes this would give a harder ride with low or no weight in the trailer that would make it bounce around more.
However I have come across some one that used an Erde 153 trailer regually and he had a poor ride at around 50 mph with approx 1/2 - 3/4 of its load capacity. it was fine to tow empty and full weight. he fitted Shock absorbers and it cured the problem.
I recomend if you have a problem with the ride on normal roads at any speed 30mph or above then it could be worth trying.
This will not cure an empty trailer bouncing on the air over speed ramps.
This will not cure an empty trailer bouncing on the air over speed ramps.
And the cure for that is to drop the tyre pressures to suit the weight, I towed an empty very light weight garden trailer for 80 miles with just 4psi in the tyres, it towed impeccably at any speed!
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Topic: Erde Shock Absorbers
