Determining Hanger Spacing for Replacement Leaf Springs on Trailer

Question:

Hi, I am replacing broken leaf springs on and old trailer and I’m having a hard time finding the same size. They are 22 1/4” long . I am wondering if there is something else I should be using someone possible setup the trailer wrongThat being said , why do you want the hanger spacing slightly bigger than the spring when everything I see shows the spring hanging slightly past the rear hanger. That doesn’t make sense to me. Seems like it should be the other way around. Could you please clarify?

asked by: Dale

Expert Reply:

The closest leaf spring set we have available to the 22-1/4 inch length you mentioned is the 3-Leaf Double-Eye Spring # SP-113275. This double-eye leaf spring features a length of 23-1/2 inches from the center of the spring eye to the center of the other spring eye. I recommend making sure you are measuring your existing leaf spring from the center of one eye to the center of the other. This particular set is designed for 2,000 pound axles, so you will want to also make sure any new springs are rated appropriately. The closest leaf spring we have with a shorter length is the 3-Leaf # e84SR, which measures 20-3/8 inches long.

If your current springs do indeed have a 22-1/4 inch long eye to eye measurement, then you may need to remove and weld on new hangers to install a different length spring.

Generally speaking, on a single axle trailer, the hanger spacing will actually be about 1/2 inch shorter than the spring length. So for the above mentioned 23-1/2 inch long springs, the hangers will be spaced apart about 23 inches on center.

I have included a helpful article on trailer suspension that you might also find helpful, along with link that will take you directly to our available selection of leaf springs and hangers that you can look through.

expert reply by: Chris R

Tom H.

2/28/2020

I have a 1991 magic Loaded Tandem boat trailer for up to 22 boat im gonna replace all 4 springs my springs seems to be 20 eye to eye do yall think i can use your 20 3/8 spring thanks

Chris R.

2/28/2020

Our 20-3/8" long leaf springs like the 2,000 pound # SP-169275 mentioned above are definitely the closest in size to the 20" measurement you took on the existing springs. These will probably work just fine, but I am a little concerned about getting new leaf springs that are larger than the current units (even if just by a little bit) because older springs will have stretched out over time. This means if the existing springs on your trailer are really old, most likely you would actually need a new set that measures shorter than their current length. Did you measure the springs with the trailer jacked up (or with the springs fully removed)?