Replacement 3,500LB Axle and Leaf Springs For Vintage Trailer With Flattened Leaf Springs

Question:

I have a small vintage trailer that probably weighed about 2000 pounds when new. Now after years of mods it’s a little heavier. The scale says 2500 pounds. The springs look flat to me. Thinking I need to upgrade to higher capacity springs? But what size? The existing springs are 4 leaf and 27” long x with 1.75”. Don’t know axel rating but it’s square and about 1.5” on a side. What do I need to get…if anything. To match the springs to the new trailer weight?

asked by: Roger H

Expert Reply:

First I think you need to address the axle portion of your trailer since you have a fabricated lift block on a drop spindle axle. That axle likely is only rated for 2,000-2,500lbs by the look of it. By switching to a Straight Trailer Axle with Idler Hubs # e65GR you will be able to get rid of the blocks and those extremely long u bolts. This axle is also rated for 3,500lbs with a hub face to hub face length of 89" and spring center to spring center of 74". If your trailer has different measurements for the axle please let me know what the dimensions are.

Then you will be able to use either a 25-1/8" 4-Leaf Double-Eye Spring # e54SR or 27" 4-Leaf Double-Eye Spring # SP-210275. Both springs are 3,500lb capacity for a set of 2. To most accurately identify the correct length of your current spring that is flat you should measure from the spring center to the center stud of the leaf spring along the spring radius. The 25-1/8" long spring will be 13-3/16", while the 27" spring is 14". This will ensure you get the correct length replacement since the spring gets longer from eye to eye as it flattens out.

A U-Bolt Kit for Mounting 3,500-lb, Round Trailer Axles # APUBR-1 will allow you to attach the larger axle to the new leaf springs.

expert reply by: Bud M