Exploded shock absorber

So I was towing a 2500 lb trailer over a washboard road in Death Valley with my 13 double cab when there was a terrific bang and a dense cloud of foul smelling smoke. Turned out one of my rear shocks had exploded.

I am thinking of two ways to avoid this in the future:

1. 5100 series Bilstiens and another rear spring from manufacturer unknown.

or 2. Complete 2" lift kit with additional spring from Old Man Emu.

Any suggestions?

 

Just curious how fast were you going for this to happen? Tongue weight?

 

Which road, specifically. I'm curious and familiar with DV.

How long and how fast were you on this road before it blew up? Sounds like it could have been really excessive heating of the shock.

If it was heat then you want a monotube shock with an external reservoir in the future as that will help with heat. Or drive more slowly when you've got weight and stop and rest every so often.

Of course something else entirely could be wrong, but if this was miles and miles of fast driving on a washboard road (e.g. Saline Valley Road or West Side Road) then heat might have been the problem. Twin tube shocks are awful for heat handling, so don't go with OME nitrochargers as a replacement.

 

pics?

 

If the shock exploded it's likely either a manufacturers defect or that shock was extremely overheated.

I'd recommend 5160's on the back over 5100's. Maybe even consider a Fox 2.5 remote reservoir shock in the rear. They are both remote reservoir shocks and should deal with the heat better.

Lifting your truck or changing the leaf package might help you deal with the load better, but if you're driving aggressively you are not going to get by with either 5100's or the Nitro's that come with the OME kit.

 

PICS?

 

I don't know if we're getting any. It's his first post and he's from Rhode Island yet towing in Death Valley so....

 

If he ever sells his truck via TW, this thread should be considered as how the vehicle was treated.