Troubleshooting Shackle Angle Being Wrong On Homemade Overland Trailer

Updated 02/03/2026 | Published 07/07/2024

Question:

I have a homemade, overland trailer. It uses your springs and shale hangers from my understanding. My question is this, my shackles are sitting about 80* facing the rear. They keep inverting on me, up against the chassis. I have to jack up and pry them back in position, the 36”, 4 leaf springs are not cracked. How can I rectify this? Longer shackle bars? Right now they are 2 3/4 oc. This trailer is on 35” tires , I travel dirt roads that you would not dream of taking a stock truck. They remain in good position as long as I’m on the pavement. Thanks

asked by: Mike

Expert Reply:

Hey Mike, thanks for the picture!

Assuming you want to keep your current leaf springs, you're going to need to cut off the rear hanger, and move it back until the shackle angle with tires on the ground is a 45 degree angle, which looks like it needs to go back about 2", though you'll want to just tack weld the hangers first to make sure you get that angle.

Also you'll want to have a qualified welder do the welding, as the hangers are the only thing holding the axle to the trailer.

expert reply by: Samuel C

Customer Shackle Angle On Overland Trailer
(click to enlarge)

Samuel C.

2/3/2026

Hey Mike, how did things go after you moved the rear hanger back to get that 45-degree shackle angle? Your results could really help others dealing with the same issue on rough roads.

Mike

2/3/2026

@SamuelC it worked out real good. I have about 2000 miles on it, two or 300 of off-road use. I have not ran into the problem since I changed them. I am what they call a dirt Dobber welder so I had a professional come in and weld them for me. That way I know they are structurally sound. Hope I help you thanks.