Need To Soften Trailer Suspension

[BobSim]

Hello all,
I have a homemade wooden boat, the combined weight of boat and motor is less than 600 lb.s. Link:
http://picasaweb.google.com/bobsskiff/SimmonsSEASkiff03
My trailer is an aluminum Magic Tilt bunk style with 3 leaves in each spring and is rated for about three times the weight of my boat. This is the lightest duty full width trailer I could find.
I've been told by a local trailer supply that there is no lighter spring available and that removing a leaf may help but they had no experience with this. It seems to me if I pull a leaf out I'm changing the loading for the leaf above it from about 12 inches (length of 1st leaf) to about 2 inches (width of axle). Has anyone out there done this?
I've also read that letting air out of the tires may help, but I tow at highway speeds with trips to three hours and have concerns about under inflated tires.
Any suggestions? Thank you.

 

[fishrdan]

Re: Need To Soften Trailer Suspension

I had the same problem with my jon boat trailer, the springs were too strong to compress and provide a smooth ride. I tried lower tire pressure, but it didn't help much. Plus, I tow at high speeds and like to keep the tires at max pressure, I hate tire problems....

I removed 2 leaves out of the 3 leaf springs and added a 10" long 1"x2" solid steel bar (what I had) to compensate for the lower spring height. I never thought about your concern (spring flexing right at the end of the spring perch and concentrating the load at that point) but had it solved with the steel block.

With the original springs I could barely compress the springs by leaning hard on the boat, now it squats an inch or 2, tows and rides much better too.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Need To Soften Trailer Suspension

Do Not, Do Not underinflate you trailer tires. You will overheat them and will have tire failure

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Need To Soften Trailer Suspension

i see you are from Jacksonville, also. first need to know, the type spring you have right now. single eye, and slip, double eye, length of spring center of the eye to the center of the rear connection. this will determine if you get a direct replacement of have to modify the trailer. if the brackets have to be modified, i highly recommend Morrow Bros, Certified Welding Co, 5408 San Juan Ave, Jax 32210 904 388 1818 you actually have to turn south on Lake Shore Blvd, as the shop is on the back side of this address. Pat does all my welding work, excellent, not afraid to do specialty work, 90% of his business is trailer repair. he may also have the springs you need, or will know where to get them.

 

[External Combustion]

Re: Need To Soften Trailer Suspension

500 lb springs are a common trade item. Your trailer supplier is not well plugged in or doesn't care to do custom work. Redneck Trailer Supply, Northern Tool and Equipment and others have lighter duty springs in stock. Redneck has a page in their online catalog that shows you how to describe your spring acurately.

TD sounds like he has you taken good care of. Even custom weight springs ca be made at a local spring supplier for a nominal fee. You might also see what the bike shops in your area use for their trailer suppliers. The little trailers pulled behind motorcycles can't use 2000 lb springs.

PS: Nice looking boat. Glad to meet another wooden boat fan.

 

[BobSim]

Re: Need To Soften Trailer Suspension

Thank you gentlemen for taking the time to reply. All good advice.
Tashsasdaddy, I'll be calling Morrow Bros. tomorrow. My springs are double eye, three leaves and 20 1/2" ctr. to ctr. bolt pattern. I've checked a few sites online, Northern tool was one, and it looks to me like I'll have to modify the trailer to accommodate new springs. I'll ask Pat for his opinion and take it from there. Thanks again for the referral and I'll post progress report later.
By the way hello neighbor.
Once again thanks everyone for helping here I appreciate your time.