Replacement Leaf Springs For An Ice Shanty Trailer

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Question:

I have some questions about a trailer I am building an ice shanty on and having a problem with the tires hitting the bottom of the shack and i think i need better leaf springs. It is a Dutton Lanson CO trailer and it says the axel is rated for 2000lbs and I know there is not 2000 lbs of weight on this trailer but my tires are hitting and I cant have this problem. It is an 1 3/4 wide leaf spring and has a slid in end and one eye for bolt on the other end. Seems to be about 25 or so long. I saw your 4 leaf spring at 24 5/8 but not sure of this is an exact fit. And I actually am wondering if there is even something a little more heavy duty than that for this trailer. Maybe you can do some research and let me know what the best course of action is to fix this problem and what I can do. It is trailer model number 940-1, thank you for your help.

asked by: Adam V

0

Expert Reply:

Hey Adam,

24-5/8" is a standard sizing for 2,000lb leaf springs so the 4-Leaf Slipper Spring w/ Radius End for 2,000-lb Trailer Axles - 24-5/8" Long # e69SR is what you need. It unfortunately doesn't look like we offer a slipper spring in a higher capacity in a close enough length.

You could weld on new hangers # APS4 to switch to double-eye leaf springs like the 3-Leaf Double-Eye Spring for 2,500-lb Trailer Axles - 25-1/8" Long # e66SR for a bit more capacity to prevent the tires from bottoming out.

expert reply by: Kevin C

0

Suspension 1
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Trailer Builld 2
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Axle And Wheels
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Trailer Build 1
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Adam

7/24/2024

What would happen if i used even a heavier duty leaf spring on a 2000lb axle. Like a 3000-6000lb leaf spring that is the same 25 1/8" length? I really cannot afford any flex at all having so little clearance. Would it be really bouncy with a heavier duty leaf spring?

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Kevin C.

7/24/2024

@Adam Using a much higher capacity spring will give you a very stiff, uncomfortable ride quality. The best option would be to weld on new hangers in order to use double eye leaf springs and then an over under conversion kit to place your axle beneath the leaf springs to raise the trailer frame away giving you some more clearance.

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Adam

7/24/2024

@KevinC what is an over under conversion kit? Have a link?

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Adam

7/24/2024

@Adam mu current axke is only 2" and is not round, it is U shaped. It says that kit is fir 2 3)8" round axle. Nit sure it will work unless i need to replace the whole axle. I dint know. Im kinda lost on what to do in my situation

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Kevin C.

7/26/2024

@Adam I got the pictures. The trailer is a bit underqualified for the size of the shanty you're building and the entire suspension looks worn out. The axle is supposed to sit at a point so far back to leverage the weight placed on it to give you about 10 - 15% of the total weight of the trailer on the tongue. With how much weight you have hanging past the axle this ratio is likely out of tolerance and would give you a terrible ride quality. At this point I'd recommend scraping the entire suspension and switching to a Timbren axle-less suspension with 4" lift # ASR3500S06. This would give you more clearance and a heavier capacity suspension to handle the weight of the shanty. You'll definitely want to have a welder increase the support of the frame and replace the tires since they have a lot of dry rot and will likely blowout while you're on the road. I've attached an article link below that goes over where to place the axle to get the right tongue weight.

Helpful Links

faq-where-to-position-trailer-axle.aspx#:~:text=the%20ideal%20axle%20position%20will,rearward%20if%20it's%20too%20light).

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See All (7) Replies to Adam ∨

Answer 1

The Dexter Trailer Idler Axle Beam with EZ-Lube Spindles - 60" Long - 2,200 lbs #T20BTR-EZ-6048 will fit any trailer with spring seats 48 inches on center. If you Harbor Freight trailer has leaf springs that are 48 inches on center then you will…

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Answer 2

We do not recommend moving from 7,000lb #e64SR to 8,000lb #DX74XR leaf springs as this creates a stiffer ride with more bounce. This causes more shock to transfer inside your RV which can cause damage to the trim and electronics. Instead I recommend…

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Answer 3

In order to determine if we have an axle that would bolt right up to what you have without welding we need to know the distance between your spring seats on center. We also need to know hub face to hub face dimension of your current axle as well.

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Answer 4

Hi Ross; the #SP-179275 and #e69SR are identical. The only real difference between the two slipper springs is going to be the cost. Since there will be no difference in performance in salt water I would say get whichever one is cheaper.

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Answer 5

The wheel mounting flanges on the hubs that come with the CE Smith Trailer Axle part #CE33201GA-HUB are only compatible with wheels that are between 13 and 15 inch in diameter. Basically the flange is too big to fit behind a 12 inch wheel.

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Answer 6

It can be a flat end as long as the flat part is long enough that it can reach past the wet bolt just fine. For your application it looks like the 4-Leaf Slipper Spring w/ Radius End for 2,000-lb Trailer Axles #e69SR is the closest that we have as…

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Answer 7

The CE Smith Axle part #CE33201GA-HUB that you referenced can fit wheels that are between 13 and 15 inches in diameter that have a 5 on 4-1/2 inch bolt pattern. I attached a link to a page that has all of the wheel and tire combos we offer with the 5…

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Answer 8

The closest size we have to a 25.5" slipper spring is 24-5/8". Do understand that this may be the correct size for your application since as leaf springs sag and get flatter they also get longer in length. Also the amount of leaves a spring…

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Answer 9

I checked directly with Dexter, and from what I saw they have a measurement - taken from center of spring eye to center of spring eye - of 24.8", which is the same as our 24-7/8" measurement for the 7-Leaf Double-Eye Spring for 8,000-lb…

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Answer 10

For a 5 x 8 trailer you just want a 60 inch hub face to hub face axle, as the width of the tires and wheels will extend past the frame. For your 1,500 lb homemade trailer go with the following: - Trailer Axle with Idler Hubs - 5 on 4-1/2 Bolt Pattern…

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Answer 11

The Trailer Axle with Idler Hubs #e84YR is only able to use 8"-12" wheels due to its weight capacity. Since this axle is rated for 2,000lbs you will need to use wheels and tires near that same rating. If you were to use 15" wheels and…

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Answer 12

Using the Mighty Cord Wishbone 4-Way Flat Trailer Connector - Trailer End - 25' #A10-4225VP will give you the wiring for the tail lights on each side of your trailer giving you both the running light for each side and then the stop/turn function…

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Replacement Leaf Springs For An Ice Shanty Trailer

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