Spring Hanger Spacing for 26 inch Long Leaf Springs and Availability of Shorter 6k Springs

Question

Question:

I measured the distance between the front shackle and the bottom of the rear shackle. That is 26. The axle is 3inch dia. so a 6000# axle. I ordered 26inch 6 leaf 6000# leafs 3000 each, new u bolts and shackle bolts. I installed them all and the rear shackle folded all the way flat to the rear as I loaded the trailer off the blocks.. Now the wheels are 2inch away from the rear of the wheel well and 5inch away from the front. I think I need to weld on new brackets I have on the front 1 1/2inch to 2foot closer to the front. Am I correct or what is the proper measurement between the front and rear shackles for 26inch leafs? Or do you have a shorter 6000# leaf for my 59 Airstream.

asked by: Tom C

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Expert Reply:

You will want to remove your spring hangers and then weld them in a position that allows the shackles to hang properly.

On a spring that is 26 inches eye to eye on center and a single axle trailer you will want the hangers to be up to 1/2 inch less than the spring length so 25-1/2 inches on center between the front and rear hangers.

We have two 6k axle leaf springs available that are shorter than 26 inches long. We have the part # e34SR which measures 25-1/4 inches and the part # e78SR which is 25-1/4 inches long.

expert reply by: Jameson C

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Answer 1

The spacing will depend on the axle diameter and on which particular spring hanger kit you use. If you have a 6000 lb 3 inch diameter axle, and you're using the #APT5 hanger kit which includes 7-3/4 inch equalizers and 2-5/8 inch shackle straps…

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Answer 2

Thank you for providing the specs for the suspension components that you already have. Correct hanger spacing really depends on the components being used such as springs, hangers and equalizers. Most of the hanger spacing dimensions that we have are…

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Answer 3

I definitely recommend replacing your 3,500 lb 26 inch leaf springs with the 26 inch 4-Leaf Double-Eye Spring for 4,000-lb Trailer Axles #e22YR. The 4,500 lb would be too stiff and your ride would suffer so the better option by far are the 4k…

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Answer 4

Our general rule of thumb is that the hanger spacing should be 1/4" -1/2" less than the length of the leaf spring. There is a small amount of tolerance,(1/2" or less) but not much. I do not recommend using a 25-1/4" long leaf…

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Answer 5

Good question, and what happens is that leaf springs elongate over time, and since you mentioned you got measurements of 25-1/2 inches from center eye to center eye and 26 inches under partial load, the best option for leaf springs really is the…

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Answer 6

As a general rule of thumb on a single axle trailer the hanger spacing should be around 3/8" shorter than the spring eye to spring eye measurement of your leaf spring. So for a 23-1/8" long leaf spring like the #e59SR you would want your…

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Answer 7

I spoke with my contact at Fulton and as long as the part that swings away when using the Fulton Fold-Away Coupler Hinge Kit #FHDPB350101 is not very long (which is doesn't appear to be) you will be just fine. If it were fairly long then you…

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Answer 8

Sorry for the confusion but with the mounting brackets for your single axle trailer being separated 25-3/4" on center you will need to use a 26" leaf spring. We offer this length leaf spring in a couple different weight capacities. 4,000LB…

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Answer 9

Yes, you can install use the leaf spring part #e22YR on a square axle trailer like you have.

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Answer 10

Yes, you can replace your slipper springs with double eye springs. The Double-Eye Spring #e27SR measure 26 inches from center of spring eye to center of spring eye and would work for you; these have a 2,250 lb capacity each though you will need to…

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Answer 11

The only way to turn a surge brake actuator "off" is to engage a lockout on the actuator. Some actuators have manual lockouts, others have electric lockouts, and some have no way to lock out the actuator. Typically, free-backing brakes are…

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Answer 12

The ideal solution to get more distance between your axle and the trailer frame is to use an over/under conversion kit. This will allow you to move the axle below the leaf springs giving you the additional height you are looking for. There are 2 over…

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