Spring replacement?

[nola mike]

Noticed that the springs on my trailer completely disintegrated, so I guess it's time to replace them. I don't know any of the specs for the trailer. The axle is 2" square, and it's 24" eye to eye with 9/16" bolts. Looked like there were 6 leafs, which seems like a lot. The boat is 19', ~2k pounds. I'm having a hard time finding something in that size, not sure if I should be looking for a 24" spring or if it's measured differently. If someone could point me in the right direction I'd appreciate it. It's what's keeping me on dry land now unfortunately.

 

[airshot]

Any trailer supply store should be able to help you out. Number of leaves depends in load weight.

 

[Pmt133]

Eye to eye is correct. 24" is a relatively odd size... it could be a flattened 23-xx" which would be more common if memory serves.

Most any trailer supply will have something. So long as the guy behind the counter/on the phone is competent, they should be able to guide you in the right direction. My axle and frame was able to have an optional extra leaf depending on how you ordered it. When I replaced my springs I did just that as otherwise, my heavier boat would rip the fenders off the trailer.... and did several times. The rated carrying weight of each was the same, it was just a better pack with more leaves and trailers way better after that.... though it could've been the shot springs at that point too.

My next trailer is going to be torsion.

 

[nola mike]

Any trailer supply store should be able to help you out. Number of leaves depends in load weight.

I want to order online so that I can have it by next weekend, not able to find much though.

 

[cyclops222]

All DIY suppliers are getting to be fewer each year.

 

[airshot]

I have used a company called "Toledo Spring Co." In Toledo Ohio, some years back with great sucess. Not sure how fast but they were very knowledgeable...

 

[nola mike]

I have used a company called "Toledo Spring Co." In Toledo Ohio, some years back with great sucess. Not sure how fast but they were very knowledgeable...

Interesting. No specs on any of the springs listed though.
I'm tempted to pull the trigger on these:

CURT Lippert® Replacement Double-Eye Trailer Leaf Spring - 24", 2,000-lb. Weight Capacity - 125799 | Southwest Wheel®

Get the best CURT Lippert® Replacement Double-Eye Trailer Leaf Spring - 24", 2,000-lb. Weight Capacity - 125799! Buy the top-rated CURT 125799 from Southwest Wheel®. 100+ Years of Service in the Trailer Part Industry.

www.southwestwheel.com

This is the closest that I've seen, I don't see why they wouldn't work?

 

[jimmbo]

You might want to consider switching to a Torsion Axle. I did, and will never go back to Springs

 

[dingbat]

UNIVERSAL 24" Double Eye Leaf Spring (5 leaves / 1625 lb.) #UNA-188

Stock# 7106061 1625 lb. capacity Universal Group leaf spring. Measures 1-3/4" wide and 24.00" eye to eye. Leaf springs sold as each.

www.easternmarine.com

 

[Chris1956]

Eastern marine in Delaware carries lots of trailer parts. They ship.

 

[nola mike]

UNIVERSAL 24" Double Eye Leaf Spring (5 leaves / 1625 lb.) #UNA-188

Stock# 7106061 1625 lb. capacity Universal Group leaf spring. Measures 1-3/4" wide and 24.00" eye to eye. Leaf springs sold as each.

www.easternmarine.com

Eastern marine in Delaware carries lots of trailer parts. They ship.

Yup, these are the same people. I came across this spring already, going to call when they open on tuesday. Stupid long weekend. Also found the spring that I referenced is Lippert/Curt Mfg. They do have a local dealer network which would be ideal (if anybody stocks them, which seems unlikely at this point). Waiting for everyone to open to check.
Only thing is that the 24" is loaded length, and it's 23.125 relaxed. Not sure if that will work.

You might want to consider switching to a Torsion Axle. I did, and will never go back to Springs

I use this trailer 5 miles/year at 30 mph max. I just want to go boating

 

[bruceb58]

You might want to consider switching to a Torsion Axle. I did, and will never go back to Springs

I have torsion axles on my boat trailer. Wish I had leaf spring setup. ONly advantage of torsion axles is letting the trailer sit lower...everything else is a con.

 

[bruceb58]

Yup, these are the same people. I came across this spring already, going to call when they open on tuesday. Stupid long weekend. Also found the spring that I referenced is Lippert/Curt Mfg. They do have a local dealer network which would be ideal (if anybody stocks them, which seems unlikely at this point). Waiting for everyone to open to check.
Only thing is that the 24" is loaded length, and it's 23.125 relaxed. Not sure if that will work.


I use this trailer 5 miles/year at 30 mph max. I just want to go boating

Stick with leaf springs.

Have you looked at eTrailer.com?

I bought replacement springs for my travel trailer there.

 

[Scott Danforth]

this is the brick-n-mortar store near me I get my trailer supplies from.

Sturdy Built Boat Trailer Parts | Boat Trailer Parts Distributor

 

[jimmbo]

I have torsion axles on my boat trailer. Wish I had leaf spring setup. ONly advantage of torsion axles is letting the trailer sit lower...everything else is a con.

That's your Opinion

Torsion Axles. unlike Spring Axles, allow all Wheels-Tires to remain Perpendicular to the Road when only One Side is facing Bumps/Holes, with a Spring Axle, both Wheels-Tires are no longer Perpendicular. With regards to a lower Trailer, that certainly helps when Launching/Loading. Also no Squeaks and other Noises that Springs make.
On Tandem or 3 Axle Trailers, some attention must be paid when choosing the Drawbar on the Hitch for Proper Coupling Height, as Torsion Axles don't have the Equalizer Link that Spring Axles have, to compensate for Lazy/Incompetent rigging/component choice

 

[nola mike]

Have you looked at eTrailer.com?

Yup.

this is the brick-n-mortar store near me I get my trailer supplies from.

Sturdy Built Boat Trailer Parts | Boat Trailer Parts Distributor

Had already found that place, nothing listed.

Went with TowUniverse.com. Found the spring on ebay, then went to seller's site and ordered it. Said it should be here in 2 days, we'll see.
Hopefully no more setbacks.

 

[bruceb58]

That's your Opinion

Torsion Axles. unlike Spring Axles, allow all Wheels-Tires to remain Perpendicular to the Road when only One Side is facing Bumps/Holes, with a Spring Axle, both Wheels-Tires are no longer Perpendicular. With regards to a lower Trailer, that certainly helps when Launching/Loading. Also no Squeaks and other Noises that Springs make.
On Tandem or 3 Axle Trailers, some attention must be paid when choosing the Drawbar on the Hitch for Proper Coupling Height, as Torsion Axles don't have the Equalizer Link that Spring Axles have, to compensate for Lazy/Incompetent rigging/component choice

It's actually more than my opinion.

Why Shouldn't I Use Torsion Axles In Tandem? Or in Triple?

We see Torsion Axles in Tandem or Triple a lot . . . Is something wrong with it? Here is Engineering to show how axles function. You decide.

mechanicalelements.com

Synopsys of the article:


There is a good reason why torsion axles get their spindles bent frequently. When one wheel goes over a bump or drops into a hole, one axle supports ALL the weight for a moment. Leaf spring trailers don't have those issues since they have the equalizer between the spring sets.

Also, you will always have more tire wear on one axle, even if the trailer is level since you don't have an equalizer. If the trailer is not perfectly level, it will be even worse!

No squeaks from my travel trailer with all wet bolts installed.

 

[Lou C]

Also read the section on that site where he explains the difference in how the force of the weight is transferred from the axle to the frame, torsion vs springs. With the springs the force is spread out along the frame (each one has two mounting points) but with torsion it is concentrated all in one place. That, and the inability to load share when the one axle lifts off the ground are the drawbacks of torsion besides the much greater cost, and inability to repair them. With springs, your springs rust or sag, you simply bolt up a new pair.
https://mechanicalelements.com/torsion-axle-conversion-plans/
He goes on to show how torsions can be made to load share with a design called the walking beam, very interesting, but I have never seen that done on a boat trailer.

Tandem Torsion Axles Suspension Design w/ True Load Sharing

Need tandem axles with the benefits of a torsion axles? This suspension has true load sharing with twin torsions, for smaller trailers.

mechanicalelements.com

If you want your trailer to sit lower & still use springs you can have a custom drop axle with springs made up. I did that when I re-did my trailer, I had Champion Trailers make me a 2x3 6,000lb drop axle with a center saddle section. That, with a few other changes enabled me to lower the boat by about 3".

 

[Scott Danforth]

When the torsion axle on my RV failed last year, it took out the frame. Yes, LCI sent a new axle, yes they offered a new frame, however it would have been months waiting.

I have a love/hate relationship with torsion axles

 

[dingbat]

I have torsion axles on my boat trailer. Wish I had leaf spring setup. ONly advantage of torsion axles is letting the trailer sit lower...everything else is a con.

What’s your issue?
Have torsion on a boat and two horse trailers.
Oldest will be 25 yro in August