Should Shackle Straps Angle Towards the Axles or Away From Them

Question

Question:

I have a custom made tandem axle trailer on which the shackle straps are angled slightly towards the center hanger vs towards the axle. Is this dangerous? If wrong, why is this wrong? I am working on finding the manufacturers recommended hanger spacing but until then I want to see if this is safe to use. Thanks

asked by: Curtis N

0

Expert Reply:

In order for your trailer suspension to function properly you will want the angle of the shackle strap to be towards the axle so that as the leaf spring compresses and expands it will have somewhere it can go. Otherwise, you will not get the optimum performance from your trailer suspension. It may not be super dangerous, but if the suspension is not operating properly you could cause premature failure which might endanger yourself and other motorists. Check out the picture I attached that shows the proper angle of a shackle strap.

I would recommend you use the hanger spacing that the manufacturer of your trailer recommends.

I attached an FAQ article on trailer suspension for you to check out.

expert reply by: Jameson C

0

click to enlarge

Answer 1

What is the length of your leaf springs? Typically you put the hangers about 1/4 of an inch narrower than the length of the leaf springs from eye to eye when they are unloaded.

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Answer 2

The height of the SumoSprings Trailer Helper Springs w/ Line Relocation Bracket #TSS-106-40 is 4 inches for just the rubber spring portion of it. Since you have 3 inches from the axle to the frame that would indicate that there would be a…

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Answer 3

The recommended clearance with leaf spring suspension on an unloaded trailer is between 2 - 2-1/2 inches. You should have sufficient clearance with your loaded trailer, as leaf springs only tend to deflect 1-1/2 inch when carrying a load.

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Answer 4

Based on what you are saying and your photos, it apprears you have springs that are double eye springs. The springs will need to be based on the load of your trailer. The axle capacity may be difficult to know as you said it appears to be custom. I…

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Answer 5

Ff the springs you are installing are 25-1/4 inches, you would need to place the hangers between 24-3/4 and 25 inches apart. The shackle should be angled as the drawing shows in the attached helpful article, which should be toward the rear of the…

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Answer 6

For a single axle trailer, you want the shackle strap to be able to move so that you have the spring deflection needed for your suspension. Angled like the photo or even almost vertical is fine you just don't want the shackle strap to bind and…

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Answer 7

I attached a picture that shows the proper position of shackles and equalizers on trailer suspension. Sometimes the shackle will flip up but if you jack up the trailer by the axle that's got the shackle flipped you can usually get it to flip back…

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Answer 8

Trailer manufacturers don't usually keep a record of parts like these that they install at the factory, so I cannot be sure as to the exact length of the shackle strap that would have come originally on your trailer. With this in mind, a 3-1/8…

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Answer 9

In order to determine the torque rating for the lug nuts on your trailer you will need to know check out the chart I attached that shows all of the torque specs for all the trailer lugs available based on stud size, wheel material and wheel size.

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Answer 10

It is not uncommon for the trailer hangers on a tandem axle trailer to be all the same size or for there to be different sizes that can be 1-1/2 to 2 inches different in height when you compare the center hanger to the front and rear. For example,…

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Answer 11

Well shackle length is mainly based on the height difference between the front and rear hangers. The rear hanger normally doesn't hang as low as the front so that the shackle can offset the difference and add the ability to move. What is the…

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Answer 12

The shackle straps need to be placed on the outside of the rear leaf spring hangers which you can see in the attached photo. Furthermore, the distance between the two mounting plates (inside to inside) on your leaf spring hangers should be…

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Should Shackle Straps Angle Towards the Axles or Away From Them

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