Car trailer leaf spring question…

[A930Rocket]

On my 2006 Trailex car trailer, it has 3500 lb axles. The springs are 20-1/2” eye to eye. I’m thinking with time, mileage and the top of the tires sometimes hitting the bottom of the fenders, I want to replace the leaf springs.

Unfortunately, Trailex doesn’t stock the 20-1/2” leaf springs anymore. They have switched to a 25” spring at some point. That will not work on my trailer. I talked to Carl today, and I’m going call them back again next week to talk to him about options. He’s currently at a trade convention.

Online, I have found 20-1/2” leaf springs, but they are not rated for 3500 lb axles. I have an inquiry into Dexter asking about availability of 20-1/2” leaf springs.

What I have found is 20” and 23-1/8” leaf springs for 3500 lb axles. Looking at the attached pictures, I don’t think the 23-1/8 Will work, they are too long.

What about the 20” leaf springs? Do you think they may work? Any suspension irregularities you can see?

Edit: if I went with 25” springs, I would have to move the most forward and most rear mounts by 2-5/8”, but then I get into fender clearance issues. The newer Trailex trailers with 25” leaf springs have wider fenders to clear.

[cabmandone]

Edit: NVM... I found most of the 20-1/2 springs are only rated for 1400 per side

I bought springs for my F350 at a place in Ft Wayne that builds leaf springs. Might see if there's a leaf spring shop around you.

[rfuerst911sc]

Are those screen shots from etrailer ? If not check with them .

[A930Rocket]

Originally Posted by rfuerst911sc

Are those screen shots from etrailer ? If not check with them .

I talked to the folks at Etrailer and they said they don’t have anything.

[A930Rocket]

The Sturdy Built trailer parts screenshot Is for 20” leaf springs and work for the 3500 axles. Actually, they’re rated at 1850 per spring.

[cabmandone]

Originally Posted by A930Rocket

I talked to the folks at Etrailer and they said they don’t have anything.

Yeah everything I just posted and deleted was for a 2000 or 2800 lb axle not a single spring.

[A930Rocket]

Those are rated for 2000 and 2800 axles.

That’s one thing I don’t understand after talking to Etrailer. For those to be rated for 2000 and 2800axles, they would have to be 1000 and 1400 leaf springs, which seems very low.

[cabmandone]

Here's a better price on the 20"

https://www.boattrailerparts.com/20-inch-Double-Eye-3-Leaf-Spring-1850lb-Boat-Trailer-Leaf-Spring-_p_295.html

[cabmandone]

Originally Posted by A930Rocket

Those are rated for 2000 and 2800 axles.

That’s one thing I don’t understand after talking to Etrailer. For those to be rated for 2000 and 2800axles, they would have to be 1000 and 1400 leaf springs, which seems very low.

That's what I'm finding mostly for a 20-1/2" spring is 1000 to 1400 rated springs. I think I'd take a swing at the 20" springs rated at 1850.

[A930Rocket]

Originally Posted by cabmandone

That's what I'm finding mostly for a 20-1/2" spring is 1000 to 1400 rated springs. I think I'd take a swing at the 20" springs rated at 1850.

I saw that one earlier. At $23 each, they have to be made of some serious Chinesium. 😂

I’m not sure I want 3000 pounds of car and a 1000 pound trailer held up by $23 springs!

[A930Rocket]

When I talk to Carl next week, if he doesn’t have any suggestions, I’ll probably go for the 20” leaf springs from Sturdy Built for $200. They also have a bushing that converts to a half-inch bolt, which is what I need on one end of each spring. Otherwise, I would need to drill the trailer out to 9/16” holes.

That’s better than the $400 springs from Trailex.

One more thought, I’m going to ask Carl if it’s possible to convert the trailer to torsion axles. If it’s possible, then I would skip the leaf springs and convert to torsion axles. As it is, my plan is to sand and treat the surface rust on the axles.

[cabmandone]

Originally Posted by A930Rocket

I saw that one earlier. At $23 each, they have to be made of some serious Chinesium. ��

I’m not sure I want 3000 pounds of car and a 1000 pound trailer held up by $23 springs!

So this is interesting, they offer a less expensive 20" 1850 spring

https://www.sturdybuiltonline.com/20-inch-Double-Eye-3-Leaf-Spring-Boat-or-Utility-Trailer-Spring-1850lb-Capacity_p_295.html

The difference between what you found and what I did is the one you posted is Marine coated.

In the description "Eye to Eye Measurement 20 inches (Free Length Measurement)
Does your spring measure slightly more than 20 inches, lets say 20 3/4 or so? You may have your trailer loaded, or the spring may be old and flattened out. It is not uncommon for leaf springs to measure longer than what the stock size is listed."

[fintstone]

I would keep what you have and add helper springs.

[A930Rocket]

Originally Posted by cabmandone

So this is interesting, they offer a less expensive 20" 1850 spring

https://www.sturdybuiltonline.com/20-inch-Double-Eye-3-Leaf-Spring-Boat-or-Utility-Trailer-Spring-1850lb-Capacity_p_295.html

The difference between what you found and what I did is the one you posted is Marine coated.

In the description "Eye to Eye Measurement 20 inches (Free Length Measurement)
Does your spring measure slightly more than 20 inches, lets say 20 3/4 or so? You may have your trailer loaded, or the spring may be old and flattened out. It is not uncommon for leaf springs to measure longer than what the stock size is listed."

In talking to Trailex, they said the old spring they used was 20-1/2” eye to eye. He didn’t say why they changed, but it makes it difficult to get some parts for older trailers. The marine coated spring is actually 20-1/8” In the description. They sell the 1/2” bushing I would need as well.

[afterburn 549]

Go air bags , better ride, adjustable.
Springs can be left in if you wish.

[rfuerst911sc]

Any chance you have a leaf spring shop near you ?

[A930Rocket]

^^^ Nothing for cars and trailers, just semi truck type stuff.

I did Google search and found a company in the Midwest, but they wanted me to send a leaf spring, to get a price and fabricate them. That’s not practical.

[afterburn 549]

A930 rocket if that was an answer to me ,
Not true at all. I have built lots of trailers.
You just have to be creative.
If you are looking for off the shelf, a Firestone kit for pickups with springs will work

[wdfifteen]

You local truck suspension place can't re-arch a trailer spring?

[Rusty Heap]

Air Bag, and regardless of overloading springs, you wanting to overload the trailer deck or just feel warm and fuzzy at the limit......