Shocker Hitch
Shocker 20k Impact Max Cushion Hitch
There’s an old quip that says, “It’s easy to be paranoid when you know that everybody is out to get you!” I have my own take on that. Despite having pulled trailers filled with snowmobiles, ATVs, boats and other items for more than 30 years, I’d say, “It’s easy to be paranoid when your trailer is always coming loose!”
For whatever reason, even after decades of hauling stuff, I’m always just a bit nervous that something will go wrong with my connection when the trailer bobs, jerks, clunks and sways behind me. To calm my nerves, I’ve become increasingly curious about the cushioned systems I heard and read about in recent years. It was time to open up the wallet, blow out the moths and get one.
I chose the Shocker 20k Impact Max Cushion Hitch. My research told me it featured two urethane pucks that cushion the irregular movement of the trailer within the hitch system itself. That sounded ideal – but was it too good to be true?
The first impression when the box arrived: “Holy Schmidt is this heavy. Are there four of them in the box?” Nope. All 33 pounds is one adjustable hitch system with a steel, tank-like build.
It is a two-part system. Sticking out of one end of the main base frame assembly is a 7-inch-long, 2-inch-square receiver shank that fits into my GMC Yukon’s mount. On the other end is a 10-inch-tall, vertical riser with seven sets of parallel round holes – all 1-inch apart on center – drilled into the trailer-facing side. Between the two, on the top (or bottom; more on that later) of the vertical riser are the two round urethane pucks measuring about 2.5 inches in diameter. A red one is on the truck-facing side and a black one is on the trailer-facing side. That unit weighs 21 pounds.
A separate, Y-shaped dual-ball mount can then be affixed into the main unit using sets of the previously mentioned seven parallel holes and some hearty D-handle pins. Like the main unit, this dual-ball assembly is super sturdy – weighing 12 pounds – with a 2-inch ball mounted on one side and a 2 5/16 on the other. (I ordered it this way because I pull multiple trailers throughout the year with varying required ball sizes, but single ball attachments and many other options are also available.)
One key to the system is its high level of adjustability. The main unit can mount pucks-up or pucks-down. That, plus the seven sets of holes, allows for up to 8 inches of height adjustment – which is important if you tow multiple trailers.
The first time I used the Shocker Impact Max system was when pulling an empty trailer to pick up our demo snowmobiles last December. Quite frankly, on the way to the dealership, I was underwhelmed with the results. The empty trailer bumped along behind me like empty trailers usually do – making a fair amount of noise. I had hoped the system would damp some of that chaos.
However, once the weight of the sleds was in the trailer, the pucks worked their magic impressively – quieting the noise behind me and absorbing much of the energy that I usually feel or hear in the truck.
Over the course of the winter, spring and summer, I pulled multiple two- and four-place enclosed snowmobile trailers of different shapes plus two different boats using the system. Each time I came away impressed with the difference it made in absorbing energy.
The Shocker Hitch marketing materials say the system can help to control sway – which seems like it could be an exaggeration. So, I tested it when towing a four-place trailer on snow-covered highways on a particularly windy day. I drove with the Shocker Hitch for a while and then pulled over in a truck stop and switched to my previous, unsuspended hitch system. Sure enough, without the Shocker Hitch system the trailer danced more behind my truck.
I came away very impressed. I never thought I’d want to spend $400 on a trailer ball system, but I am beyond pleased with the results.
- Staff Report
Shocker Hitch LLC
Shocker 20k Impact Max Cushion Hitch - $413.99 as tested
Jamestown, North Dakota
STURDY: The robust Impact Max system is rated to pull a 20,000-pound trailer and/or have 2,000 pounds of tongue weight, so it is overkill for my uses. But it worked very well.
ADJUSTABILITY: Having up to 4 inches of rise or drop in ball height is handy, but due to my Yukon’s high receiver I could have used more drop. I blame my truck’s setup, though, not the Shocker system.
OPTIONS: If you tow particularly heavy trailers or RVs, Shocker has other systems that integrate an air bag along with the two urethane pucks, plus mounts for sway control bars
Castle X
Freedom Monosuit
In the Northern Rockies where I live and ride, the winter of 2024-25 lasted longer than usual, meaning more people complained about the depth of snow in 5,000-foot-elevation towns than ever before. The cold came and stayed, much to the enjoyment of the mountain-loving, cold smoke-hungry snowmobile pilots!
To our enjoyment, the CastleX Backcountry Freedom Monosuit ideally fit the bill for the conditions experienced in the Montana mountains.
Cold days? It had us covered. This suit kept even the coldest-bodied American warm and cozy. Hand gaiters kept snow at bay from the awaiting sensitive wrists. The shell itself is made of a high-performance nylon and polyester material, waterproofed via the Ven-Tex 10,000mm/10000g/waterproof, windproof, breathable laminated shell, with updated DWR outer surface treatment to repel moisture.
The seams are double stitched for extra cold and moisture mitigation. The Velcro adjustable wrist cuffs add adjustability for the desired comfortable fit.
Warmer winter days? We’ll still see you in the hills wearing this gear. Opening the glorious ventilation system curtailed most of our sweaty fears. The backpack-friendly Ven-Tex ventilation system with snow blocker kept the fumes at bay and eliminated snow ingestion into the body of the suit.
Within the walls of the suit, the Comfort Flow mesh lining reduces schwass on the long rides. If it was over 21 degrees, the ride must be brisk-paced to keep airflow moving through the full framed suit. The fully lined fleece collar feels comfy against the skin but can retain odors or moisture at excessive levels. The end of a season required a nice bath for this gear!
The finish and overall fit of the suit is second to few. The suspender system is crucial to some but it’s also removable for those convertible riders desiring non-suspended links between hip and shoulder for maximum maneuverability. Precurved arms and knees kept the fit near the body without restricting motion along each axis with the seating surface.
Additional bum padding kept comfort level paramount. The suit also proved to be plenty bashable through the fiercest and thickest lodge poles that seem personally incentivized to poke holes through sleeve materials. Longer-crotched gents and those with shorter chestorial regions may find the Castle Freedom monosuit slightly junk-puckering in the inseam region, but proper fitment can be attained through the suit’s adjustment system.
The main zipper is an up/down reversible system, which simplifies restroom breaks. The removable hood can serve to curtail snowflake incursion on the blizzardy days. There’s also an attached safety tether D-ring for the safety-conscious parent among us to forbid runaway sleds. Safety freaks will also dig the 3M Scotchlite reflective elements along broad body facets. Gaiters at the bottom of each leg make best use of the integrated boot attachment loops – and are dual-stage to have two sets of buttons on the exterior.
A few other features really set the tone for a bad or good day in the hills (thank you memory foam padded knees and insulated padded seat), like a moisture-resistive outerlayer with double-stitched seams.
- T. J. Krob
Freedom Monosuit – $489.99
Castle X
Green Bay, Wisconsin
EASY: Castle has easy-on/easy-off defined with its onesies, and this Freedom suit falls right in line.
CLASSY: The overall look of the gear is quite appealing, with splashes of hi-viz material to add flair but no massive, over-the-top splotches.
FEATURES: From the forearm key pocket to the removable inner suspenders and the removable hood, it has a well-designed chassis.