What Equalizer, Shackle Straps, and Bolts do I Need for My Tandem Axle Trailer with EQ-356?

Updated 12/21/2025 | Published 12/18/2025

Products Featured in This Question

Suspension Kit for Tandem-Axle Trailers - 1-3/4" Wide Double Eye Springs - 2-1/4" Links

(733)

$82.11

Curved Equalizer for 1-3/4" Wide Double-Eye Springs - 6-1/8" Long - 9/16" Center Hole

(404)

$36.87

Question:

Replacing my suspension on my trailer. The equalizer has a number of EQ – 356 on it and I need the equalizer shackles, bushings and bolts.

asked by: Robert B

Expert Reply:

Hello Robert,

The kit you asked about will work. There are just a couple of things to consider:

You currently have the Curved Equalizer for 1-3/4" Wide Double-Eye Springs - 6-1/8" Long - 9/16" Center Hole # TREQ356, which measures 6 1/8" from center hole to center hole on the bottom. I don’t have a full kit like the one you were looking at that includes this exact equalizer.

The Suspension Kit for Tandem-Axle Trailers - 1-3/4" Wide Double Eye Springs - 2-1/4" Links # AP233 comes with an equalizer that is 5 3/4" from center hole to center hole on the bottom, so that is only a shorter distance of 3/16" on both sides of your equalizers. It wouldn’t hurt to measure just to make sure you can lose that 3/16" on each side. You just want to make sure you will still have that “W” shape with your shackles and equalizers. Please see the image I attached.

Another thing to verify is that your shackles are 2 1/4" from center hole to center hole. If they are not, please let me know what they do measure so we can piece together a kit for you.

If you need leaf springs and U-bolts, please jack up the trailer to take the weight off the leaf springs and then measure from center eye to center eye. Please also include your axle capacity.

What kind of trailer are you working on? My mother always told me to never assume, but she isn’t here right now, and I am assuming this is a tandem axle trailer since that is what you asked the question on.

expert reply by: Kate F

Trailer Suspension
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Your Current Equalizer
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Equalizer in Kit
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Brady

12/19/2025

If you use a narrower equalizer, correspondingly longer springs would be advised. Otherwise the springs might not line up with the shackles during installation. The difference might be small enough to get away with installation, but you would see degradation of spring performance (less total travel). Spring measurement is key, I ordered a set that was slightly too long initially and found it when the shackles bound up when I put weight on the suspension. Correctly sized springs were required.

Kate F.

12/21/2025

@Brady Yes Brady, thanks for taking the time for the feedback. You could always change the length of the leaf spring to fix the geometry of the suspension. That is my next step if they say that the equalizer measurement doesn't work for them =)