Troubleshooting Broken Leaf Spring On a Boat Trailer With Tandem Axles Mounted Individually

Question:

Is the single leaf spring with dual axles designed to be used with an equalizer on a boat trailer? My rear spring is broke. Also only the rear of the springs have shackles currently. This is how it has been before I bought it 2 years ago.

asked by: Chris B

Expert Reply:

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 out the load more evenly across both axles since it provides articulation to the suspension.

As for you mention of only the rear portion of the leaf springs having a shackle, this is normal when used on a single axle setup. The shackle allows the spring to lengthen under load when the spring flattens. Without this the suspension wouldn't compress it would eventually break under load.

expert reply by: Bud M