Trailer suspension question

ghost

ghost

Well-Known Member
Joined
May 25, 2006
Location
Hartsville/Camden,SC
When I unloaded Sunday after wheeling URE I thought my trailer was leaning on the passenger side. Things were slow today so I started digging. I immediately noticed rube spot on the rear leaf from a piece of angle cross brace. It’s 2”x3”. I measured all the springs to frame and the passenger rear is 1/8th lower. I guess it’s sagging a little.
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I was thinking of notching that piece of angle on both sides to clear the springs better. Was thinking a half inch. Thoughts on that and replacing the spring?
 
I wouldn't hesitate to take an inch off that piece of angle. Maybe more. What is it for? Deck supports should be above the bottom of the channel on a typical trailer.
 
upnover said:
I've never seen a trailer with something like that on it. IMO, a good bounce on a SC state hwy, and it could be prone to bend or break carrying a heavy load.
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Aint that the truth?!
 
jeepinmatt said:
I wouldn't hesitate to take an inch off that piece of angle. Maybe more. What is it for? Deck supports should be above the bottom of the channel on a typical trailer.
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Yes it is the cross support that the boards are nailed to. It's 2" x 3" and I would have put the 3" as the suport not the 2" side. It's a Lawirmore car hauler special. It's all angle so not channel at all. It has worked well for me over the years but I have learned I need better. Will clearance that for the spring. Thanks all for confirming what I was thinking.
 
If it were mine that would be clearanced and the spring replaced
 
If it were mine that would be clearanced. :laughing:
 
ghost said:
Yes it is the cross support that the boards are nailed to. It's 2" x 3" and I would have put the 3" as the suport not the 2" side. It's a Lawirmore car hauler special. It's all angle so not channel at all. It has worked well for me over the years but I have learned I need better. Will clearance that for the spring. Thanks all for confirming what I was thinking.
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So if I'm seeing correctly, all of the load carrying capacity depends on the thread of that one screw not rusting away down there by the road grime? Dang. I'd be more worried about that. Hopefully it is welded and I just can't see it.
 
jeepinmatt said:
So if I'm seeing correctly, all of the load carrying capacity depends on the thread of that one screw not rusting away down there by the road grime? Dang. I'd be more worried about that. Hopefully it is welded and I just can't see it.
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Ok wait what screw are you referring to? I said nailed I meant the boards are screwed to these pieces of angle. The cross angle is welded under the main angle of the frame. The frame is 3"x3" I believe.
 
ghost said:
Ok wait what screw are you referring to? I said nailed I meant the boards are screwed to these pieces of angle. The cross angle is welded under the main angle of the frame. The frame is 3"x3" I believe.
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This, but if it's welded, you're good. Normally it would be assumed that it was welded, but with how janky some trailers are, you never know.
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I'd clearance it in this shape, with the straight section being the width of the spring. Also, round corners are your friend, but I was too lazy to draw them up. The outside corner doesn't really matter, but that inside corner should be smooth and round.
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jeepinmatt said:
If it were mine that would be clearanced. :laughing:
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the fact that the spring is already sagging and scarred indicates fatigue, possible stress cracks.
Catastrophic failure of a trailer spring under load at speed would be an adventure.
Since there are only 3 leafs that a 2k spring, its $44....
 
Normally, I wouldn't argue on the internet, but it is Tuesday...:flipoff2:
Ron said:
the fact that the spring is already sagging and scarred indicates fatigue, possible stress cracks.
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I hear ya, but we're talking 1/8"
ghost said:
I measured all the springs to frame and the passenger rear is 1/8th lower.
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Ron said:
Catastrophic failure of a trailer spring under load at speed would be an adventure.
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I've seen quite a few trailers running around both empty and overloaded with broken springs and no ill effects

Ron said:
Since there are only 3 leafs that a 2k spring, its $44....
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Yeah, but what about the time-value of money?
 
So they are 4 leaf packs not 3. I have some in the Amazon cart, none available locally, need to double check measurements tomorrow.
FE11BA04-6BAF-4F41-83BD-3ED0A9F21807.jpeg
 
should be a 3500 leaf then.
Ive bought from these guys with success before
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If you have dual spring eyes they are all (that Ive ever seen ) the same...except marine trailer and then all bets are off. I dont know where they source their springs
 
Better buy u bolts and other related.....looks like a lot of penetrating fluid or the blue wrench might be needed.

Personally id run it. The equalizer thingy in the middle and the shackle have saved it from major damage this far. If it was a single axle the load would have been different and the resulting damage maybe more significant. I also assume the other side is just as bad for contact.

The reason for the sag is more due to the passenger side being what it is......the low side of the road. The crown shifts the load to the outside of the road. This continuous action has fatigued the pack. I have replaced numerous packs and or shimmed axles on very heavy loaded large trucks frames hauling thousands of pounds in the form of rescue equipment, ladders, and water. Most call them firetrucks. Almost all of them end up way overloaded by the recommended capacity of the OM chassis builder. Many ladders gross beyond DOT regs for the chassis and axle ratings. I guess emergency use gets a pass.
 
WARRIORWELDING said:
Most call them firetrucks. Almost all of them end up way overloaded by the recommended capacity of the OM chassis builder. Many ladders gross beyond DOT regs for the chassis and axle ratings.
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Hey, if there is an empty space then we aren't carrying enough equipment :flipoff2:

Duane
 
CLRracer said:
Hey, if there is an empty space then we aren't carrying enough equipment :flipoff2:

Duane
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I've built many a pull out tray or compartment that would make even @mcutler jealous of the organization and 10lbs of crap in 5lb bag.
I actually loved the challenge and the sweet customized brackets I built and or used to make it happen.
 
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