Fixed eyes or slipper springs?

I need to replace the springs on my 1982 LoadRite single axle trailer. It's a 3450 pound capacity trailer, with a 3500# round tube axle.

Currently, the bad springs are the slipper type, where the front eye is fixed, and the rear of the spring has a slipper tail.

Can I replace it with a fixed-ended spring (both eyes; no slipper)? I will be replacing the U-bolts, mounting brackets, etc. at the same time, and wonder what the slipper function provides. Seems that it might soften the ride a bit, but other than that, is there a reason to keep the slipper-style?


thanks

Re: Fixed eyes or slipper springs?

Ayuh,... It works well Now,.. Right,..??

Why do you want to Change it...

Re: Fixed eyes or slipper springs?

Well, don't know that it really "works well", that's why I thought of changing it.

Right now, someone before me shoved wood shims in the leafs to raise the trailer a bit, so the fenders wouldn't bottom out on the tires over bumps, I guess. The springs are NEARLY FLAT due to their weakness it appears.

The trailer is rated at 3650 pounds GVRW, and with the weight of the trailer itself, plus a 2200 pound Robalo R2020, and about 400 pounds of engine, AND up to about 700 more pounds for gear and fuel, that's about maxed out, I think (it's a single axle).

Anyway, I plan on putting on new springs, and actually the ones on it now are the C-type at the back (similar to the ones on a Caulkins trailer), where the open side of the C faces the front of the trailer (the rear "eye"), and the front of the spring has a standard eye ("O").

I wondered it putting double "eye" ("O") springs would be a better setup?

Re: Fixed eyes or slipper springs?

You can use springs with eyes on both ends and then install shackles on the rear end of the spring to allow the spring to flex.
Thats how id repair it.
You can just replace the slipper ones tho, they are readily available.

Re: Fixed eyes or slipper springs?

Both have their advantages, eye to eye type springs are quieter on the road and hold the axle steadier, while slipper springs have one less point to rust up or seize.

Re: Fixed eyes or slipper springs?

I think you would find the conversion a lot more trouble than you anticipate, Powerguy. If you have fixed eyes at the stern you will have to use shackles to allow the springs to change length as they flex.

Go with slippers just like you now have but make sure they are correctly rated.

www.championtrailers.com can supply anything you need.

Re: Fixed eyes or slipper springs?

Yeah, I looked at Champion's site. They have the slipper's, the fixed eyes, and the "C" style like my current ones.

I need the whole package anyway (plates, u-bolts, springs, etc.), as they are pretty rusty and won't be coming off in a re-usable state. I planned on changing the whole setup on there, anyway, and think now I'll stick to what I have design-wise on this LoadRite.

thanks to all