Troubleshooting Amazon Trailer Leaf Springs Failing Within 100 Miles Of Use

Updated 11/14/2023 | Published 11/13/2023

Question:

Hello, I recently had one of my leaf springs break on my 35ft tandem axle fifth wheel. I replaced all 4 them the other day with a set I got on Amazon, they matched specs with exception of being 5 leafs vs the original 4 leafs. They are both 5/16 thick. I did all 4, then took a trip. Within the first 100 miles, I noticed something odd, they all are seemingly flat and one has a weird upwards slight bend near the end. My gut tells me it seems wrong, I want to say it drove nice like more sturdy but this bend troubles me... I am potentially looking for replacing them all again with something that I can trust. I just want my trailer leaf springs to be strong and reliable, are there any products you can recommend that would allow me the best load capacity and reliability? Are there thicker ones? Does going from 5/6 to 3/8 make a difference? Is that the direction I should be heading? I want an upgrade, not original. I have 5200lb axles, its a tandem axle. I already did hydraulic disc brake conversion, heavy duty shackles and wet bolts. Plus suspension shocks. I need these leaf springs to get off my anxiety list... Any help would be appreciated, and I have pictures of the current ones, if you wanted to see what Im talking about. Thanks!

asked by: Jacob M

Expert Reply:

I completely understand your troubles and confusion with leaf springs. First do remember there are different types of spring steels so the thickness of the leaves is not always the best way to judge the weight capacity for the leaf springs. So while you would think a 3/8" thick leaf would be stronger than leaf springs which use 5/16" thick springs that is not always the case depending on the type of spring steel used. With as quickly as your new springs failed it makes me think they either have no quality or the springs were not enough for your trailer. I do see you were looking at our 5-Leaf Double Eye Spring # e78SR which does use 3/8" thick leaves and is 25-1/4" eye to eye when unloaded. While these springs are rated for a 6,000lb axle you can still use them with your 5,200lb axles. If you can let me know the correct length of your leaf springs or the distance between the hanger bolt centers and the length of your equalizer I can let you know what your options are.

expert reply by: Bud M