How To Determine The Correct Leaf Springs For A Gooseneck Trailer

Published 12/09/2021

Products Featured in This Question

6-Leaf Double-Eye Spring for 6,000-lb Trailer Axles - 26" Long

(2221)

$85.21

5-Leaf Slipper Spring w/ Hook End for 6,000-lb Trailer Axles - 27" Long

(259)

$71.29

Question:

How many leaf springs should be on a 6K axle? I am looking at a used home built Gooseneck Trailer and dont know much about them. I was told it has 6K axles and I need to go measure the diameter of the axle tube. It does have 6 lugs on it as far as the tire mounts.

asked by: Bruce

Expert Reply:

The first step here would be to find the axle capacity so that you can get the correct capacity leaf springs. If there isn't any tags/stickers/labels on the axle to indicate the capacity then you can measure the diameter of the axle to figure out a general weight capacity. Below is the typical capacity of an axle based on the diameter.

1,000-lb - 2,000-lb Axles: 1-1/2" - 1-3/4" diameter
3,500-lb Axles: 2-3/8" diameter (can have a 3-1/2" diameter, but rarely)
6,000-lb - 7,200-lb Axles: 3" diameter
8,000-lb Axles: 3-1/2" diameter
9,000-lb Axles: 4" diameter
10,000+ lb axles: 5" diameter

The amount of leafs will not matter, instead you'll want to go off of the weight capacity. For example a 4 leaf and 5 leaf spring could have the same capacity because the leafs on the 4 leaf are more rigid than the leafs on the 5 leaf. You'll need to know the style of your springs, whether they are double-eye or slipper spring. If you have double-eye then you'll need to measure from eye to eye of the spring (measurement A in the picture below). If you have slipper springs then you'll want to measure from eye to end of the slipper (measurement A in the picture below).

For example, if you measured eye to eye on a double-eye leaf spring and found it to be 26" you could use # e94SR. If you had a slipper spring and measured from eye to slipper and found it to be 27" then you could use # e67SR. Both of these leaf springs have the same capacity but the double-eye has 1 more leaf, like I mentioned above.

If you need help finding the correct leaf springs for your trailer just reply back with the axle diameter, spring style, and the length of the springs (measurement A) you currently have on the trailer.