Replacement Leaf Springs for a Vintage Camper

Updated 07/02/2025 | Published 06/03/2021

Products Featured in This Question

6-Leaf Double-Eye Spring for 4,500-lb Trailer Axles - 26" Long

(2442)

$69.49

Single-Axle Trailer Hanger Kit for Double-Eye Springs - 1-1/2" Front, 1-1/4" Rear

(395)

$39.54

Question:

Hello! I was wondering if this part would be a feasible replacement for the springs on my 1957 13foot canned ham camper trailer. The original leaf springs are 35inch eye to eye and 1 3/4inch wide with 10 leaves. I do not know the exact weight of this trailer, but I would say it is definitely below 4000 lbs. The axle is a square type with 3 1/2inch spindles, no brakes. Hopefully these pictures will help! If these are or arent the right springs for the job, could you direct me to what would be my best bet? Also along with the correct mounting hardware since I will most likely have to weld new mounts to my frame because of the shorter length. Thank you for any help and info!

asked by: Chris B

Helpful Expert Reply:

With how long your current springs are, you will have replace the hangers for the springs to attach to. That being said, this does happen sometimes and it is not the end of the world.

The 6-Leaf Double Eye Spring # e27SR will have a length of 26 inches from eye to eye, so you will also need the # APS2 hanger kit. This will cover both hangers on both sides, so you will need no other parts to get this system up and running.

expert reply by: Lazer S

Vintage Camper Leaf Spring - A
(click to enlarge)

Vintage Camper Leaf Spring - B
(click to enlarge)

Vintage Camper
(click to enlarge)

Theodore

6/24/2025

From what I see those springs are fine, the axle needs to be reinstalled BELOW spring. It looks like the top bend to spindle is hitting frame. I would only change the units, and leaf spring end bushings and bolts.

Lazer S.

6/24/2025

@Theodore While you are not necessarily incorrect, from what I remember, this particular person was not interested in lifting his vintage trailer almost 4 inches (that spring pack has 10 leaves so it's pretty massive). I don't recall him saying anything about the spindles making contact with the frame (this was quite some time ago), but you definitely don't want that to happen! Out of curiosity, do you work on trailers? Sounds like you have been around the block a few times.

Theodore

7/1/2025

@LazerS yes, I do work on trailers. He didn't say anything about frame hitting, but the pictures he posted, one picture looked like the leaf pack was totally flat and allowing axle to hit the frame. All he had to do was get trailer weighed, divide by 2 add 750lbs and buy 2 leaf spring packs from you guys for that rating. Say it weighed 3800lbs, 1900 is half, +750=2650lbs . 2 of the closest rated packs and he is done.

Lazer S.

7/2/2025

@Theodore The problem there is the 35" measurement he has on his old springs. The longest double eye springs we carry are 27" long and then it goes to slipper springs. The longest one of those, while sticking with the standard 1-3/4" wide for double eye, would only be 30". So basically, even if a slipper that was long enough was recommended, he still would have had to change all the hanger due to the 2" width of the longer slipper springs. Vintage trailers almost always prove to be difficult to find exact (or sometimes close) replacements for.