Replacement Slipper Springs for 1985 Harding Boat Trailer

Question:

Hi. I saw an inquiry similar to this so Im guessing you can figure out the right solution. I have a 1985 Harding boat trailer with 1.75 x 28 4-leaf hook-down open-end slipper suspension leaf springs. Measured center of bolt to end of hook. There is some room for a slightly shorter spring 26.5-27. The boat is a 17 ft Aquasport 170 Osprey with a 90hp Johnson. Im guessing 2500 or 3000 lb. cap., maybe 3500 lb. but thats a lot. Springs are about to bust! Trying to sell the boat - want it to be a safe tow. Got a solution?

asked by: Bruce

Expert Reply:

I do have options for you but exact replacements for old boat trailers are hard to come by. In the majority of cases, items will need to be altered for an exact fit which I assume is what is going to need to be done on your trailer as well. We don't have a slipper spring that is 1-3/4" wide x 28" long (center of eye to end of spring) with a 2,500, 3,000, or 3,500 lb capacity. However, leaf springs will fatten out over time which means the leaf spring that was originally installed on the trailer is more than likely a few inches shorter than the leaf springs you have now.

If you would please measure from the center of the hanger on your trailer to the center of the keeper. If this distance is around 24-5/8" then you can use something like part # SP-177275 1,000 lb axles, part # SP-178275 1,500 lb axles, or part # SP-179275 2,000 lb axles. If these are too short for your needs or the capacity is not high enough then the only option we can offer would be to cut off the old keeper and move and new one part # 115706S further out. This would then allow you to use something like part # e29SR 1,800 lb axles, part # SP-039275 2,900 lb axles, or part # SP-040275 3,700 lb axles.