What Does It Refer To When A Spring Is Rated For 5000lbs?

Updated 06/12/2025 | Published 06/07/2025

Question:

Hi, Im trying to pick out some new springs for my utility trailer. When the listing says 5000lbs, is that how much weight the springs can hold before bottoming out? I need a set that can hold a 325g water tank or roughly 3500 pounds. Thanks!

asked by: Chris

Expert Reply:

Hey Chris,

The weight rating or weight capacity on leaf springs refers to the maximum weight that that individual spring can support. You typically want to match the leaf spring to what your axle capacity rating is or it can make your trailer sit higher than normal. Which for some set ups can be iffy. If your trailer has a 3500lb axle you want to go with springs rated for 3500lbs.

Let me know what your trailers axle capacity is and if you are able to take a rough length measurement of your springs, center of the bolt hole to center, I can take a look and see what options we have for you.

expert reply by: Nick S

Chris

6/11/2025

The existing springs are 20" long and probably not rated for much. All it does is water our main road for our campground. It doesnt leave the camground. It was fine last year, but they finally bottomed out on the fender. I wonder why. The plan was to weld new brackets on with new springs since I couldnt find the correct size with a higher capacity. I figured the higher capacity springs would raise the trailer which is perfect for us as it allows us to tilt the trailer more when watering since the setup we built is gravity fed.

Nick S.

6/12/2025

@Chris That is actually pretty cool to hear. They definitely were rated around 2,000lbs being 20 inches long so they were lightweight for sure. If it is a trailer that doesn't leave the campground and you are already planning to weld on new hangers you could upgrade those and go with something like a 3,500lb spring like # e59SR which is 23-1/8" long. It would require some adjustment on those hangers but since it is a stationary trailer there won't be any issue. If you know the length of your hangers or brackets I can track those down as well.