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Expert Answers about Chevrolet Trailer Leaf Springs


  • Leaf Spring Hits Equalizer After New Leaf Spring Install
  • The most common mistake when replacing a trailer leaf spring is measuring the existing leaf spring while the trailer is loaded (wheels on the ground) and not accounting for the leaf spring lengthening over time. Therefore, it sounds like the new leaf spring you have may be a bit longer than the one it replaced which is why it is now hitting the equalizer. This would be the only reason that this happened if the equalizers and shackle straps remained the same. If you still have the old leaf...
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  • If Trailer Leaf Spring Breaks Should All of them Be Replaced
  • Anytime you replace the leaf springs of a trailer we recommend replacing at least both sides of the same axle. Going with new springs all around for the trailer is a great option too. Going with a higher than needed leaf spring isn't necessarily a bad thing but you might have a harsher ride on the trailer. You should note that your trailer's capacity would not be increased by doing this either.
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  • Troubleshooting Reduced Fender Clearance After Replacing Leaf Springs
  • 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...
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  • Troubleshooting Trailer Leaf Springs That Have Broken Twice
  • 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...
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  • Shackles on Leaf Springs Rubbing Frame of Trailer
  • 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.
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  • Troubleshooting Bouncy Ride and Loss of Clearance After Hanger and Leaf Spring Installation
  • 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...
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  • Will Higher Rated Leaf Springs Last Longer on Coachmen Tandem Trailer With 3,500 Pound Axles
  • Upgrading from 3,500 lb to 4,000 lb leaf springs will make them last longer. Eventually they will flatten since it is inevitable, but with the higher rating it won't happen as fast. Since you're looking to make a small increase this also means it won't have a drastic impact on your ride quality with your trailer. Assuming you need a 26" replacement then the # e22YR will work for you. You have already replaced them once so you probably know this, but you want the replacement to match your...
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  • Troubleshooting Amazon Trailer Leaf Springs Failing Within 100 Miles Of Use
  • 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...
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  • Difficulty Installing Trailer Leaf Spring with Redline U-Bolt Plate # 115983
  • 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...
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  • Center Hanger Interference Troubleshooting for a Tandem Axle Trailer Converted to Single Axle
  • 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...
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  • Mounting Options For 6-Leaf Double-Eye Leaf Springs
  • The 6-Leaf Double-Eye Spring for 4,500-lb Trailer Axles # e27SR should come with a pin on both the top and bottom of the leaf springs for your U-bolt plate to sit on. If for some reason yours came with a nut on the bottom then yes, you could remove the nut and bolt and flip it around to fit your application. This is a somewhat difficult and will require you to compress the spring leafs together while you remove the pin.
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  • Troubleshooting 3,500LB Trailer Leaf Springs Bottoming Out & Flattening On 3,750LB GVWR Boat Trailer
  • If your trailer has a GVWR of 3,750lbs and your boat only weighs 1,460lbs you should be fine with the 3,500LB Leaf Springs # e54SR. I would recommend taking your boat and trailer to a nearby scale to have the trailer weighed to ensure you are under the 3,500lb capacity rating for the springs. This will also help to ensure you are not overloading the trailer which could create a more catastrophic problem. While you could go to heavier springs like the 4,000LB # e93SR this would most likely...
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  • Leaf Spring Replacement and How to Find the Correct Measurements
  • I'll be glad to help you find the correct set of leaf springs for your trailer but I am going to need some more information. This is a common problem because springs like to flatten out as they wear. The best way to get an accurate measurement is to jack the trailer up so that the axles hang free. Then measure straight across the springs from the center of one eye to the center of the other eye on each spring. This will give you a close enough measurement, within 1-2 inches, that you will...
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  • Troubleshooting Leaf Spring Fit on Top of the Axle on a Tandem-Axle Trailer
  • 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...
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  • Why Do the Dexter E-Z Flex Equalizers Turn Down
  • 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...
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  • Troubleshooting Cargo Trailer That Leans to One Side
  • 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....
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  • Troubleshooting Broken Leaf Spring On a Boat Trailer With Tandem Axles Mounted Individually
  • 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...
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  • How to Get Clearance for Slipper Spring Compressing on Top of Wheel Well
  • To answer your first question a double-eye spring would not compress less than your current 4-Leaf Slipper Spring w/ Open Eye End # e33SR and I do not recommend going with a higher-rated spring than what your trailer is rated for as that will make your ride very stiff and unpleasant. The only real options you have to get more clearance are to raise the fender if you can or add one that has more height (I have linked our selection of fenders for you to check out) or to cut off your current...
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  • Troubleshooting Tandem Axle Trailer Suspension That Has Inadequate Axle-to-Frame Clearance
  • 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...
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  • Troubleshooting U-Bolt Kit for Unique Trailer Axle and Leaf Spring Combination
  • For the plate and U-bolt for the dimensions you gave, you simply need the U-Bolt Kit for Mounting 5,200-lb to 7,000-lb, Round Trailer Axles - 7" Long U-Bolts # APUBR-8. This will give you the plates and the length of U-bolts you need. The issue is your axle diameter won't be a fit so you would need to fabricate something for stability. Instead I recommend you either change your leaf springs because 3 inches wide is not standard for trailer applications, or you can use the Dexter Trailer...
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