Trailer Advice

[flyingfrizzle]

Originally Posted by TomParis

So now I am trying to find the springs locally to replace them myself to save money, and I found these I figure with two sets of them that would be a maximum of 4,ooo lbs, which should be fine with a 20' Seacraft and a 115 motor I would think. Looking for advice, thanks.

Tom

http://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/pro...y?cm_vc=-10005

This is what I do, every 4-5 years I just buy new ones. Change the bearings when I swap the springs and no worries. You can work your self to death trying to save them but I just replace and don't worry. Simple to do and don't cost too much. The 20 inch 3 leaf are only $16 each. The 5 leaf galvanized were around $32 each. The galv. hubs are only $18 each. They have way more in stock in our local store than on their web site.

springs

http://www.agrisupply.com/trailer-sp...e-eye/p/25444/

hubs:

http://www.agrisupply.com/galvanized...r-hub/p/59368/


We have a ag supply here that has similar springs. They carry ones like you mentioned in 3 leaf and in five. My trailer had the 3 leaf and I went to the 5 leaf. I have pulled my 20 (on there now) and my 23 with out motors on the same trailer. One thing I did do the second time around was to get the galvanized dipped ones instead of the regular black ones. They seem to last a little longer. They didn't have them the first trailer I did but do now in stock. They also started stocking the galvanized hubs too. I swapped the hubs and springs last time together and will do so again in a few years. Took the old ones and saved for spares and always keep a new set of bearings and a tube of grease in my truck when pulling it just in case. I quit having bearing problems once I started carrying spares. Go figure.

[DonV]

You are so right Frizz!!! Got a deal on a spare tire bracket for my trailer, which I never had before, just threw a spare in the back of the truck. Then to add more credence to Murphy's Law I put in a back up spare in the bed of the truck to go with the one on the trailer bracket for my trip to the Keys last month, you know...just in case. Sure as heck had my first flat in at least 20 years....never fails.

[FishStretcher]

An ALUMINUM single axle trailer for my 20MA with a 375 lb outboard and a t-top is something like 3700 lb. I think a tandem axle steel trailer would be 4000 with your empty boat on it. Add gear and you are heavier. I had mine across the scales on Memorial Day.

[TomParis]

I wish I had a single aluminum trailer with Torsion axles.

So, if I were to switch the 5 leaf springs those are 25 inches eye to eye so that is an increase of 10 inches how do I make that work, do I buy a smaller Y equalizer?

[flyingfrizzle]

Originally Posted by TomParis

I wish I had a single aluminum trailer with Torsion axles.

So, if I were to switch the 5 leaf springs those are 25 inches eye to eye so that is an increase of 10 inches how do I make that work, do I buy a smaller Y equalizer?

Most of the time I went to longer springs I have had to cut off the front and rear hangers and re-weld them further apart. You may could use a narrow equalizer and change shackles to make up small differences but 5" will require remounting the mounting points. The 5 leaf springs I got were only 23" or 23.5" if I remember right and I was able to make them work.

[DonV]

You get one of these tandem sliders to match the length of your springs, either 20" or 25 1/4" springs.
,
http://www.sturdybuiltonline.com/Boa...gs_p_1413.html

Plus don't get hung up on the number of leafs in the spring. For example the 1750# 25 1/4" spring has four leafs or three, the 2000# has three and the 2500# has four. Buy the capacity you need. A 14" "C" rated tire has a 1760# capacity and if you match that to the 1750# springs you are at a tandem trailer with a 7000# capacity. More than enough for your boat with added safety built in, that was how my original trailer was for my 23'er. Good luck!

[kmoose]

I am surprised they don't sell torsion axles. I got tired of the spring game and will never look back now that I have the right sized torsion axles.

[DonV]

They do, special order. There are six different "start angles" to pick from and five weight capacities from 2000# to 8000#. A 3500# galvanized kit with hubs is around $400+. A friend of mine just installed three of the 22.5 degree 3500#ers on his trailer with Kodiak SS brakes, serious money.

I'm with ya Moose, I don't see them on their web site. I have one of their catalogs and they're in there. Even though your trailer has to sit level with multiple torsion axles I'd put them on next time if I had the extra money. I had them on the last trailer I had built for my flats boat and they will spoil you!!!

[TomParis]

ok one more measurement and pictures maybe this will help with the advice.

I measured the total distance between the front eye hole bracket and the final eye hole bracket which is 50 inches.

I do not want to have to remove the brackets and re-weld them.

20160719_175158 by TomParisOBC, on Flickr

20160719_175203 by TomParisOBC, on Flickr

and a view of the other side

20160719_175210 by TomParisOBC, on Flickr

[gofastsandman]

Try expediter.com.
Large selection and great prices.

I`m with KMoose.
I went torsion 2 years ago and they are sooo smoooth.
I shot them with undercoating.