axle over or under springs?

[petreaux1]

Recently had new axle, hubs, wheels installed on 16 foot flatboat trailer. The old axle rode under the springs, the guy put the new axle over the springs , thus lowering frame approx. 3". He said it was the right way , the boat would launch better, and all their trailers were the same way. The only problem is now the skeg of outboard is three inches closer to the ground. so what is right: axle under springs, or srings under axles???

 

[I`mNotMe]

Re: axle over or under springs?

Other than axle beam to boat's underbelly clearance, tire to inner fender clearance and trailer tongue to Tow Vehicle hitch alignment reasons, don't think it really matters. In my case, I like a boat trailer with extra ground clearance with axle "under" its leaf spring packs. Thus, out of the weeds and if I forget to raise the boat motor on the boat ramps, there's some ground clearance forgiveness.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: axle over or under springs?

the "RIGHT" way is whatever way works for you.... tilt the motor up and the skeg becomes a non issue

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: axle over or under springs?

the "RIGHT" way is whatever way works for you.... tilt the motor up and the skeg becomes a non issue

+1 ^^^^^^^

 

[Thalasso]

Re: axle over or under springs?

I depends on launching or retrieving issues.Other then that either is okay

 

[Silvertip]

Re: axle over or under springs?

It may have been that the installer didn't have an axle in stock for mounting "under" the axle. Axles are generally cambered - meaning they have a slight bend in the middle. That bend must always face "up". An axle intended for mounting below the spring has the spring perch mounted on top of the axle An axle intended for mounting above the spring would have the perches mounted on the bottom of the axle. You cannot flip the axle as that would place the camber bend in the wrong orientation. Other than that, functionally it makes no difference which way the axle is installed. Load capacity and ride are not affected.

 

[jeeperman]

Re: axle over or under springs?

If the springs were not replaced, the installer had to remove the spring pack center bolt and put it in the pack from the topside of main spring. The spring on top also removed several inches of suspension travel before the axle smacks the frame. The axle tube is also that much closer to smacking your keel. Theoretically, axle over will ride a bit nicer than axle under.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: axle over or under springs?

Depends on how strong your u-bolts are Just remember that with SOA the load is supported by the springs, SUA the load is supported by the u-bolts and spring plate.

 

[MRS]

Re: axle over or under springs?

Depends on how strong your u-bolts are Just remember that with SOA the load is supported by the springs, SUA the load is supported by the u-bolts and spring plate.

This is so true I know what happens with weak u bolts.

 

[achris]

Re: axle over or under springs?

Each method has it's benefits and drawbacks. My trailer has axles over the springs. Yes, the weight is taken by the U bolts and fish plates, but it sits the frame, thus the boat, lower, giving me a lower centre of gravity, and thus better handling on the road and in the corners... I travel quite a bit to different towns, so that becomes an issue for me... If you only tow in the city or a small town, then you might have a different set of criteria...

JHMO

Chris........