Troubleshooting Boat Trailer that is Bouncy on the Highway

Updated 01/05/2016 | Published 01/04/2016

Products Featured in This Question

Lippert Bolt-On Shock Kit w/ Heavy Duty Gas Shocks - 3,500-lb (2-3/8") Axle

(87)

$190.88

Lippert Bolt-On Shock Kit w/ Heavy Duty Gas Shocks - 5,200-lb to 7,000-lb (3") Overslung Axle

(87)

$236.98

Question:

I have a 16foot skiff which weighs about 1000lbs on an old continental galvanized trailer. it has 26inch long - 3 leaf springs, 1 3/4inch wide, bolted to a welded U bracket up front with a 3inch shackle in the back. they are fairly rusty. this rig bounces like crazy on the highway. i would like to know if you have a replacement leaf that can help with the bounce. also, is there a bolt on shock setup that will help with new springs finally, would replacing with a torsion axle be a smoother choice worth making the swap worth the effort. thanks in advance.

asked by: Russell C

Expert Reply:

First thing to check is the tire pressure of your trailer. Making sure they are all inflated to the max psi would be a very cheap and easy way to address trailer bounce. Is the trailer sitting perfectly level?

Trailer suspension doesn't normally have shocks so a lot of bouncing is due to that. If the springs you have now are in good working order and seem to be handling the weight of your boat when loaded your best option is going to be a shock system. If the bouncing you described is when the trailer is unloaded that is due to the suspension being rated for higher weight (with the boat loaded) and without the boat the suspension is very stiff and bouncy. There's no great way around that.

If your trailer has axles that are 2-3/8 inches in diameter you would need the shock kit part # LC281255, if you have 3 inch axles (not likely but still), you would need the part # LC281281.

Torsion axles also do not have any dampening so they wouldn't be any less bouncy.

expert reply by: Jameson C