replacing trailer springs

[Bosun's mate 1st class]

My Shorelander, dual axle trailer is almost twenty years old. Other than brakes, lights and coupler everything on the trailer is original. Trailer has been used primarily in salt water and rust is one of my primary colors on this trailer. I have the trailer stored on blocks for the winter (with my boat on the trailer). The springs look as though they should be replaced...I don't know this...they just look like it. A problem I have is I don't want to do this job while the boat is on the trailer. The boat weighs about 4000 lbs. I want to do this job here in my yard. I can't tow to a lake and launch because every thing is closed probably until April when the lakes will thaw out. Whats the best way to get the trailer out from under the boat? How do I support the boat while she's off the trailer? I've seen metal tripod adjustable supports...but I'm cheap and don't want to purchase them.
Additionally, I've never changed springs before. What am I getting into?

 

[Bondo]

Re: replacing trailer springs

My Shorelander, dual axle trailer is almost twenty years old. Other than brakes, lights and coupler everything on the trailer is original. Trailer has been used primarily in salt water and rust is one of my primary colors on this trailer. I have the trailer stored on blocks for the winter (with my boat on the trailer). The springs look as though they should be replaced...I don't know this...they just look like it. A problem I have is I don't want to do this job while the boat is on the trailer. The boat weighs about 4000 lbs. I want to do this job here in my yard. I can't tow to a lake and launch because every thing is closed probably until April when the lakes will thaw out. Whats the best way to get the trailer out from under the boat? How do I support the boat while she's off the trailer? I've seen metal tripod adjustable supports...but I'm cheap and don't want to purchase them.
Additionally, I've never changed springs before. What am I getting into?

Ayuh,.... If the frame of the wagon is supported by blockin',....

It's in the best possible position, Right now, to change out the springs...

 

[Bosun's mate 1st class]

Re: replacing trailer springs

OK....I gave her a closer look. As long as the frame is on the blocks, I can work on those springs without removing boat from trailer...looks doable...Thankyou.

 

[Al Kungel]

Re: replacing trailer springs

Leave the boat on the trailer. I replaced the springs on my previous trailer with the boat on the trailer. On my current boat trailer, I changed the whole braking system including lines, drums to disc, etc. with the boat on the trailer.
It is doable - go for it.
Just make sure that the trailer is blocked up well.

 

[Bondo]

Re: replacing trailer springs

OK....I gave her a closer look. As long as the frame is on the blocks, I can work on those springs without removing boat from trailer...looks doable...Thankyou.

Ayuh,... So long as the trailer 'n it's load is fully supported on blockin',...

It ain't no different than an Empty trailer fully supported on blockin'....

It just takes alittle more blockin' with the wagon loaded...

 

[robert graham]

Re: replacing trailer springs

Maybe a good idea to hook your boat/trailer to your tow vehicle while working at replacing springs...to stabilize it and prevent forward or aft movement...plenty of blocks and jack stands...don't want to get crushed under there!

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: replacing trailer springs

Maybe a good idea to hook your boat/trailer to your tow vehicle while working at replacing springs...to stabilize it and prevent forward or aft movement...plenty of blocks and jack stands...don't want to get crushed under there!

+1

A stack of 4x4's for Cribbing will hold up just about anything

 

[Bondo]

Re: replacing trailer springs

+1

A stack of 4x4's for Cribbing will hold up just about anything

Ayuh,.... A little known fact I learned years ago,...

When usin' single stacks of blockin',...
By turnin' a single stack, 90? from the other 3, ya get stability outa it, like cribs...

l l
l -

Visualize as those lines are stacks of blockin' viewed from above...

If they'd all run in-line, it'd be unstable... by turnin' a stack, it becomes stable...

 

[SWD]

Re: replacing trailer springs

If its doable then leave the boat on. In my case (see my thread Work has started), it was moderately easy to remove the boat and block it
and then do the rebuild on my trailer. I just used axle stands and wooden blocks to support the vessel.