Shocker Gooseneck Air Hitch Installation Instructions

The Shocker Hitch Gooseneck Surge Air Hitch takes minutes to install. Instruction below for all of our Shocker Gooseneck Surge Air Ride Hitches including 9″ offset, models with Shift Lock or Demco gooseneck couplers, along with models with for gooseneck with kingpin. Covering our patent pending multi-fit round stem, along with square stems and top crank stem options. Below you can find downloadable PDF instruction files and videos to help guide you with instruction, air pressure settings and more.

Download Installation Guide

Shocker Gooseneck Surge & Gooseneck Surge Air Hitch & Coupler Installation Guide

Shocker Gooseneck Surge Air Hitch Installation Videos

INSTALLATION – SHOCKER GOOSENECK SURGE AIR HITCH (STANDARD STEMS) (watch video)

Tools Required: 1-1/8 Wrench | 3/4″ Wrench | Air Compressor

Step 1: Measuring and Removal

  • Level Surface: Park the trailer on a level surface
  • Record Height: Measure from the bottom of the current coupler tube to the bottom of the trailer sleeve.
  • Transfer Measurement: Mark this same distance on your Shocker Hitch to ensure the trailer remains level.
  • Remove Old Stem: Loosen the set bolt(s), pull the safety pin, and slide out the original inner tube.

Step 2: Inserting the Shocker Gooseneck Surge Air Hitch

  • Insert Hitch: Slide the Shocker Gooseneck Air Hitch into the trailer’s outer tube.
  • Align: Align the holes of the Shocker Gooseneck Air Hitch stem with the holes of the trailer’s outer tube.
  • Pin: Slide the Gooseneck through pin through the stem and out the other side. Secure with cotter pin clip.

Step 3: Orientation and Alignment

  • Verify Air Spring Bag Direction:
    • Standard Coupler or Kingpin: The air spring bag must face the rear toward the trailer (Figure 1).
    • 9″ Offset Coupler: The air spring bag must face the front toward the truck cab (Figure 2).
  • Verify Alignment: Ensure the hitch sits straight and parallel with the trailer (Figure 4).
  • Correction: If the hitch is crooked, readjust at the stem or the trailer pin (Figure 3).

For proper use of Shift Lock coupler, see “How To Use Shift Lock Coupler” section.

Figure 1: Standard Gooseneck Air models: Air spring bag faces toward the trailer
Figure 2: Offset Gooseneck models: Air spring bag faces toward the truck cab
Figure 3: Hitch is crooked: readjust at the stem &/or trailer pin
Hitch is straight: no adjustments needed

For proper use of Shift Lock coupler, see “How To Use Shift Lock Coupler” section.
For proper use of Demco coupler, see “How To Use Demco Coupler” section.
For proper use of Kingpin coupler, see “How To Use Kingpin Coupler” section.

INSTALLATION – MULTI-FIT (UNIVERSAL) ROUND STEM – See Video

Tools Required: 1-1/8 Wrench | 3/4″ Wrench | 15/16″ Wrench | 5/8″ Wrench | Air Compressor

Step 1: Measuring and Removal

  • Level and Measure: On a level surface, measure from the coupler tube bottom to the trailer frame sleeve bottom.
  • Transfer Measurement: Mark this same distance on your Shocker Air Hitch to ensure the trailer remains level.
  • Remove Old Stem: Loosen the set bolt(s), pull the safety pin, and slide out the original inner tube.

Step 2: Inserting the Multi-Fit Round Stem

  • Insert Stem: Slide the Shocker Multi-Fit round stem into the outer trailer tube to the desired hole.
  • Secure Pin: Secure the stem using a 3/4″ gooseneck through pin (Figure 5).

Step 3: Inserting the Shocker Gooseneck Surge Air Hitch

  • Insert Air Hitch: Slide the red or black Gooseneck Air Frame into the Multi-Fit Stem (Figure 6).
  • Initial Secure: Secure the Air Hitch to the stem with the 5/8″ x 4-1/2″ provided Multi-Fit through pin and cotter pin clip (Figure 7).

Step 4: Orientation, Alignment & Adjustment

  • Orientation:
    • Standard Coupler or Kingpin: The air spring bag must face the rear toward the trailer.
    • 9″ Offset Coupler: The air spring bag must face the front toward the truck cab.
  • Select Pin Hole: Use the angle guide below to select the correct hole to use on your Multi-Fit stem (Figures 11-13).
    • Top Hole: 4″ Round Stems with 10°-20° Angled Pin Holes.
    • Middle Hole: 100mm Round Stems with 20°-30° Angled Pin Holes
    • Bottom Hole: Round Stems with Straight Pin Hole.

Step 5: Alignment and Torque

  • Verify Alignment: Do NOT tow if the hitch is crooked (Figure 9). Ensure the hitch sits straight and parallel with the trailer (Figure 10).
  • Correction: If the hitch is crooked, readjust at the stem or the trailer pin.
  • Tighten Multi-Fit Set Bolts: Once straight (or aligned), use a 5/8″ wrench to tighten the Multi-Fit set bolts to 100-125 ft-lbs, then tighten the jam nuts using a 15/16″ wrench (Figure 8).
  • Tighten Trailer Set Bolt: Using a 3/4″ Wrench to tighten the trailer set bolt while maintaining proper alignment. Torque to trailer manufacturer’s specifications. Then tighten the jam nut.
Figure 5: Slide Multi-Fit stem into trailer tube to desired pin hole and secure with 3/4″ pin.
Figure 6: Slide red frame section into Multi-Fit system with air bag toward trailer.
Figure 7: Rotate red frame sections until straight with trailer frame and secure with provided pin.
Figure 8: Tighten smaller set-bolts snug. Tighten jam nuts.
Figure 9: Hitch is crooked, readjust at stem and-or trailer pin.
Figure 10: Hitch is straight, no adjustments needed.
Figure 11: Top hole: 4" Round Stems with 10°-20° Angled Pin Holes.
Figure 11: Top hole: 4″ Round Stems with 10°-20° Angled Pin Holes.
Figure 12: Top hole: 100mm Round Stems with 20°-30° Angled Pin Holes.
Figure 12: Top hole: 100mm Round Stems with 20°-30° Angled Pin Holes.
Figure 13: Bottom hole: Round stems with straight pin holes.
Figure 13: Bottom hole: Round stems with straight pin holes.

For proper use of Shift Lock coupler, see “How To Use Shift Lock Coupler” section.
For proper use of Demco coupler, see “How To Use Demco Coupler” section.

INSTALLATION – SHOCKER TOP CRANK HANDLE STEM

Tools Required: 15/16″ Wrench | 9/16″ Wrench | Air Compressor

  • Disassembly: Remove the 3/8″ bolt and handle assembly. Loosen set bolts and remove the existing coupler stem.
  • Preparation: Transfer the bearing and 3/8″ washer to the Shocker Hitch Top Crank Stem. Generously grease the stem threads.
  • Assembly: Slide the stem into the trailer until engaged. Tighten the set bolts. Add a 3/8″ washer to the exposed crank stem.
  • Finalize: Reinstall the crank handle with the 3/8″ bolt before vehicle hook-up.
  • Note: Bulldog brand couplers require an additional supplied 3/8″ washer.
Figure 14: Provided 3/8″ washer for Top Crank Gooseneck Hitches
Figure 15: Shocker Top Crank Gooseneck Hitch installed on trailer

For proper use of Shift Lock coupler, see “How To Use Shift Lock Coupler” section.
For proper use of Demco coupler, see “How To Use Demco Coupler” section.

How To Use Shift Lock Gooseneck Coupler

To connect: Move handle to unlocked position (Figure 15), lower trailer ontoo ball (Figure 16), move handle to locked position, insert quick clip pin. Check Lock: u-bolt should stick out 1″ from coupler rear when locked (Figure 17). If you do NOT see this, repeat stems 1 and 2 until u-bolt is visible from rear of coupler.

Manual lock option available for additional security or if Shift Lock handle is damaged (Figure 18).

Figure 15: Shift Lock coupler in unlocked position, lower hitch onto gooseneck ball.
Figure 15: Shift Lock coupler in unlocked position, lower hitch onto gooseneck ball.
Figure 16: Shift Lock coupler lowered onto gooseneck ball.
Figure 16: Shift Lock coupler lowered onto gooseneck ball.
Figure 17: Shift Lock coupler in correct locked position 1" of the u-bolt stick out.
Figure 17: Shift Lock coupler in correct locked position 1″ of the u-bolt stick out.
Figure 18: Optional manual lock pin on back of u-bolt (driver's side).
Figure 18: Optional manual lock pin on back of u-bolt (driver’s side).

Setting Air Pressure & Maintenance

Start at 15 PSI. Test drive and adjust in 5 PSI increments until optimal. High winds may require added PSI. NEVER exceed 100 PSI in air bag, this will damage air bag. Grease hitch ball and pivot bolt regularly using the grease zerk on base of stem. Recommended to grease every 6-12 months based on usage to reduce wear.

Additional Information – Clearance & Diagrams

Hitch must rotate at an 18" radius around the ball to prevent contact with items in bed (red frame).
Hitch must rotate at an 18″ radius around the ball to prevent contact with items in bed (red frame).
Hitch must rotate at an 16" radius around the ball to prevent contact with items in bed (black offset frame).
Hitch must rotate at an 16″ radius around the ball to prevent contact with items in bed (black offset frame).
Top View: Recommended that the Shift Lock coupler have a minimum clearance of 12"x12" for flat beds.
Top View: Recommended that the Shift Lock coupler have a minimum clearance of 12″x12″ for flat beds.
Rear View: Recommended that the distance from the top of the bed to the top of the ball be a maximum of 2" for flat beds.
Rear View: Recommended that the distance from the top of the bed to the top of the ball be a maximum of 2″ for flat beds.
Shocker Gooseneck Surge Air Hitch & Coupler Dimensions Diagram Guide
Shocker Gooseneck Surge Air Hitch & Coupler Dimensions Diagram Guide
Shocker Gooseneck Surge Air Hitch with 9-Inch Offset Extension Coupler Diagram
Shocker Gooseneck Surge Air Hitch with 9-Inch Offset Extension Coupler Diagram
Gooseneck Air Hitch & 9" Extender Demco Coupler - Diagram & Dimensions
Gooseneck Air Hitch & 9″ Extender Demco Coupler – Diagram & Dimensions
Shocker 30K Gooseneck Surge and Demco Coupler - Diagram & Dimensions
Shocker 30K Gooseneck Surge and Demco Coupler – Diagram & Dimensions
Round Gooseneck Stem Angle & Sizing Guide
Round Gooseneck Stem Angle & Sizing Guide (Pin Hole Can Be Straight or Angled – Round Stem Can Be 100MM (3-15/16″) or 4″)

Installation Issues? Contact us!

We want you to have the best possible towing experience with your product and proper installation is important. If you need help, we are here for you. Just give us a call at 701-707-2666 or use our contact us form. You can also look up the items product page on our website and view the installation tab. Most products on our website have a set-up guide and installation video.

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