Recommended Leaf Springs For 16 Tiny House Trailer With Tandem 3500lb Axles

Question:

I am planning a tiny house build. The trailer is 16foot long and I am going with tandem axles. I have 3500#axles with the equilizer. The whole tiny house should be 4-4500#. The question is will 1750lb springs be too stiff? Should I use 1500lb springs? Is there a general rule of how much weight to put on the springs, obviously without going over? thanks

asked by: Rich D

Helpful Expert Reply:

Ideally you want the leaf springs to be a few hundred pounds overrated for what you are planning on carrying to make sure the springs will not be too stiff.

As long as your trailer is in the 4000-4500lb range I would go with the 3-Leaf Double-Eye Spring for 3,500-lb Trailer Axles - 23-1/8" Long # e59SR which has the 1750lb rating per spring you mentioned. These will not be overly stiff and will make sure your tiny house has enough support.

If you will be towing it often and not just taking it where it will be used and leaving it there, then you may want to look in to some suspension enhancement like the Roadmaster Comfort Ride Shock Absorbers for Tandem Axle Trailers - 3,500-lb Axle # RM-2450. This kit will do a great job of absorbing road shock to keep the stuff inside of your tiny house from bouncing around, and will also help to fight sway by limiting the lateral movement of the trailer.

expert reply by: Samuel C