Troubleshooting Shackle Straps That Keep Flipping Down

Question:

Hello I’m building a 16 foot dove tail tandem axle trailer with 3500 lb axles. I have the trailer frame/tongue and everything welded up. I squared the leaf spring/ equalizer hangers to the ball receiver. My axles are ping down and the shackles are reversing. I only have the hangers tacked on right know in case my tongue weight was off any I could move them. All 6 hangers are 2 1/2 from top to center of hole. Equalizer is 7 3/4 center to center. Shackles are 2 1/2 center to center. My leaf springs are 25 1/4 center to center. I have the hangers spaced at 29 1/2 center to center on the holes. Can you tell me why this is happening? Everything looks fine when the axles are up where they are supposed to be, leaf springs are level and I have 3 inches between axle and frame. Can you tell me how much I would need to move the hangers in to make this work? I have been researching and it’s looking like it’s a common problem and I want to address it at this stage in the build since I haven’t welded the brackets solid yet. My kit was bought from Amazon. Maybe that could be the problem. I see some of the kits on Etrailer has a longer center bracket and longer shackles. Would one of those kits fix my problem? If so can you recommend a kit ? Thanks

asked by: Joe K

Expert Reply:

Hey Joe,

If your shackle straps are too short and there isn't enough weight on the trailer the shackle straps can flip down as you run over bumps in the road. Increasing to a 3-1/8" long # TRSL313 or 3-1/2" long # TRSL350 shackle strap size could help bring the leaf springs up towards the center a bit more and prevent the axles from dropping. Your hanger spacing is fine so I'm curious to see how wide the shackle straps sit outwards when the axles are sitting properly. If you'd like to send in some pictures I'd be happy to take a look.

expert reply by: Kevin C