If I am understanding you correctly it sounds like there is a center hanger mounted directly above the axle of your trailer (that is on top of your leaf springs) that is preventing the trailer suspension from being able to travel. If this is the case I would remove that hanger as it is preventing your trailer suspension from functioning.
If the springs are flat without any bow to them they might be overloaded or just worn out. If you look on the frame of your trailer there should be a... view full answer...
Yes, this could be caused by worn out leaf springs on your trailer. Sometimes you'll see this caused by using shackles that are too long, but in this case it's probably safe to assume that this is being caused by worn out leaf springs.
If you need help finding replacement springs, just let me know the length of your current springs and I can make a recommendation for your 3500-lb axles. To measure your springs, measure from the center of one eye to the center of the other. view full answer...
If the trailer is leaning 1" and there is not a load differential that would account for the lean then I would recommend having it inspected before throwing new Leaf Springs # e57SR at it. There may be something else wrong besides the leaf springs that may not be as obvious to you as a trained professional.
If the lean is caused by a difference in weight we do have items like the SumoSprings Trailer Helper Springs for Underslung # TSS-106-40 and Overslung # TSS-107-40 axles between 3,000-5,000lbs.... view full answer...
If all of the suspension components of the trailer are in good working order and it isn't being overloaded the springs shouldn't be breaking. How much does the trailer weigh total? Are the roads you are traveling rougher than most? What weight rating springs did you go with after breaking the 3,500 lb ones?
Typically a broken leaf spring is from an overloaded trailer, I would verify that your trailer and it's cargo weigh less than the rating for the springs and also check the other suspension... view full answer...
Its difficult to say what the issue is with your installation of trailer leaf springs with Redline U-Bolt Plate # 115983. If old and new parts are mixed there can be fit issues since old, worn parts may not have the same exact dimensions as they did when new. Leaf springs do stretch and elongate after years in service. A worn spring that measures, for example, 27-inches long from eye to eye may not have been a 27-inch spring when installed initially.
I suggest you submit a photo and more... view full answer...
I spoke to my contact at Dexter Axle and they informed me that you may have the incorrect kit. There are currently two different E-Z Flex Triple Axle Suspension Kits for triple axle trailers which will depend on axle spacing. For example, if your axles are spaced 33" apart then you will want to use part # K71-656-00 but if your axles are 35" apart then you will want to use part # K71-657-00.
It looks like you have the part # K71-657-00 therefore your axles should be 35" apart center to... view full answer...
I recommend any trailer with a tandem axle setup use an equalizer regardless of the amount of leaves in the spring or if it is a double eye or slipper spring design. On a system like your trailer where each axle is mounted individually and not connected one axle will carry more of its share of the weight when one axle lowers due to road angles or unlevel trailer positioning. An equalizer setup like the Tandem-Axle Trailer Hanger Kit # APT3 will allow the suspension to continue to spread... view full answer...
It's certainly possible that you have two identically rated and sized leaf spring sets on your trailer that feature a different amount of leaves. Most likely at one point only one side of the trailer leaf springs was replaced, while the other remained installed. We do recommend replacing both sides of the leaf spring sets on an axle at the same time. As long as you get the needed capacity and length, there is not really an advantage with going to a set that features more leaves. The additional... view full answer...
Leaf springs are primarily rated for weight capacity and overall dimensions, but not for lift.
There are many potential reasons for the issue you are having with the too-low 1-inch clearance between your trailer frame and the top of your axles. You could have badly worn springs; the trailer could have been overloaded to the point that the springs suffered damage; or a previous owner might have substituted suspension parts like hangers or shackle straps that are the wrong size. Or they... view full answer...
I assume by flip, you mean you moved the leaf springs to the top of the axle. If this is the case, then all of the springs should sit the same. There are a few things you can check to ensure everything is in place.
If you had to weld on new hangers to the trailer frame, then I would check and make sure they are attached properly. You will also have to weld new spring seats like # TRSS238 on the top of the axles for the leaf springs to sit on. You can also use a conversion kit like the... view full answer...
You are tightening the shackle bolts too much if they are binding up.
The shackle bolts do not require a specific torque rating because tightening the shackle bolts too much will squeeze the shackle straps against the leaf springs and the whole suspension system will bind and cause problems. The best thing to do when tightening down shackle bolts is to use lock nuts and tighten them until they are snug and then backed off 1/4 turn. Lock nuts should be used because they resist loosening... view full answer...
Sounds like you are experiencing a lot of movement in your suspension which is causing the elongation of the back hanger bolt holes. Over time this is going to happen with normal wear, but most likely the wider hangers and narrower springs are speeding up the process. Your best bet is to put in properly sized springs or properly sized hangers. view full answer...
If your boat trailer is making a continuous popping noise that seems to be coming from the suspension then it really could be anything involved in your suspension.
The best way to find out what is the culprit is to simply do an inspection of your trailer suspension. Parts could be binding or they could be old or worn and in need of replacement. If everything seems to be in good working order it may be worth jacking your trailer up and taking the suspension apart so that you can check... view full answer...
Although they are not rated significantly higher, installing the # e57SR could result in a noticeable difference in the ride. Springs rated for your 3,500 lb axle (1,750 lb spring capacity) would be the better option. I'm not sure what you had before, but the replacement leaf springs should be approximately the same length as the old leaf springs on your travel trailer. That is, the spring eye to spring eye measurement. Since the old leaf springs were flat the replacement should be a bit... view full answer...
The axle is self-aligned by the spring center bolt so there's no need to slide the axle. Axle manufacturers weld the spring seat in a specific location to align perfectly with the center bolt/nut on the leaf spring. Once all parts are assembled and installed this automatically aligns the axle. If your axle is out of alignment there is a possibility the axle is bent or one or more of the axle suspension components is damaged and needs to be replaced. Uneven tire wear (one being more worn... view full answer...
One of the most common causes for shackle straps to break is over-tightening of the shackle bolts. If the shackle bolts are too tight, the shackle straps are not able to move with the suspension. This causes binding and it can bend or even brake the shackle straps, bolts and hangers.
The sliding that you are experiencing on the rear axle is common for tandem and triple axle trailers and it is usually called scrubbing. The rear axle scrubs because trailer axles are not steering axles,... view full answer...
It sounds like you definitely need to make a change in the trailer suspension. Longer hangers may help but, if the springs are worn out, changing the hangers would not fix the real issue.
Installing longer shackle straps would make the issue worse. Shorter shackle straps would not allow the suspension to work properly either. Check the shackle straps for wear, these are commonly the most worn parts on a trailer suspension, followed closely by the springs. If the holes in the shackle straps... view full answer...
It is unlikely that worn bushing would cause poor tracking or sway unless something else was also worn. Look for any egg-shaped holes in the hangers, spring, equalizers and any other suspension component. This would be an indication of excessive wear and replacing the worn parts would likely help.
If you were to measure from a single point on the trailer coupler to the center of the the axle on one side, then do the same thing on the other side, the measurements should be nearly identical.... view full answer...
Inside tire wear on one specific tire on a dual axle 5th wheel trailer could be from a bent spindle if you happened to curb it at some point, where the axle itself wouldn't show a difference, yet the tire wear would. This is really difficult to determine by simply looking at the trailer. You'd need to compare the angle of each spindle compared to the axle. Many people don't take good care of their trailers, so the shops aren't incorrect that it is common but that doesn't mean it is... view full answer...
I completely understand your troubles and confusion with leaf springs. First do remember there are different types of spring steels so the thickness of the leaves is not always the best way to judge the weight capacity for the leaf springs. So while you would think a 3/8" thick leaf would be stronger than leaf springs which use 5/16" thick springs that is not always the case depending on the type of spring steel used. With as quickly as your new springs failed it makes me think they either... view full answer...
Go To Results