I have seen some youtube vids, inline swivels or low power shock springs.

as always thanks!

unless we shorten the stock chain, we MUST add shock springs per state law.......so Yes, but only cuz of the law.

and an xtra swivel never hurts in any set up

if you don't mind me asking, what kind/size shock spring do you use?

What the heck do y’all catch in y’all’s DP’s???
I use the stock Duke DP’s and caught coons in excess of 30# without an issue. I’ve had the cable so tangled up before I considered cutting it vs trying to unwrap it yet it’s always still had the coon.

I caught a big one in a conibear 160, I didn't weigh it but when I took it to the taxidermist to get tanned it was bigger than anything he had on display. if I was not an idiot I could upload the pic LOL

No you don't need a shock spring on a DP.

I agree, unless its illegal in your area not to have one. An in-line swivel is a good idea on any trap but certainly NOT mandatory to hold coons. I haven't added one to my DP's for years, coons will twist out if it stops swiveling but unless something like the springs getting hooked over your stake happens or maybe in a tree root, you'll be ok. I've never had one twist out in grass, it still moves enough. If you're getting losses in DPs with toes still in the trap, likely you had it stabilized too hard in the ground so they twisted and injured it before they pulled it free of the ground. Then they lunge and tear free.

typically Sleepy Creek or PawsItrip,
BUT FandT has JC Connor on sale this month for $22/doz.

I add an extra swivel to all my traps. I doesn't hurt, but it can help

Never heard of anyone having too many swivels.

And I have shock springs on my DPs, not for critter comfort but to be able to cable to a suitable anchor and still be legal in my state. Any land set trap can not have more than 8" of chain to a solid anchor unless it has a shock spring. With a shock spring, there is no length restriction so I can set the trap in the creek bed where the coon are walking and cable it to a tree or root on the high bank. Do not have to wonder if an anchor will hold in sugar sand in the creek bottom.

I was hoping the spring would decrease the raccoon stress/damage

I run 3 swivels on my dp in Arkansas. I don't have any issues with my dp.

what kind do you run? do you add them or use what comes with them?

I use all crunch proff swivels. I buy them in bulk. Overkill..sure but not that much more money and indestructible.

I put the little stop shocks on my DPs.

They're on mine !
I want that captured animal as comfortable as possible.

I bought some 10 lbs. shock springs made for DP’s, say what u want, they flat out help with pull outs on brushy creeks.

I just ordered some!

Mine don't have shock springs but ive always felt you could never have enough swivels on coon and coyote traps.
Jim