Is There Set Angle Requirement for Shackle Straps of Trailer

Published 08/16/2023

Question:

Hi I have a Dargo tandem axle car hauler, from years ago, one axle has braking. A friend got me a grease-able shackle and bolt kit from Dexter, while finalizing install long ago, I noticed the equalizer provided was shorter spring eye center to spring eye center than OE by about 3/4” inch. So when putting trailer back on ground, one axle set of shackles pointed down and the other axle shackles pointed up, which led to pry bars and jacks to get them into place so both pairs of shackles pointed up from equalizer. Fast forward to today when 3 of 4 big O branded tires all separated within 1 mile of each other, I had the trailer off the ground again, replacing tires, had same problem gettin shackles to snap into correct direction. Is there a number related to proper shackle angle, since the Dexter equalizer was short by about 3/4” , to avoid problem in future? Thanks

asked by: Jerry K

Expert Reply:

You'll want what you have now closer to vertical but there isn't an exact angle that is required. One solution you could go with if you didn't want to replace the equalizers would be longer shackle straps but I would need to know what length you have now.

expert reply by: Jameson C