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Thanks for the info. This was my thought as well on the rot for the 4 leaf. I broke a 4 leaf after 3 season being dipped in saltwater. I ordered a 3 leaf to reduce the rot. I also increased the weight of the spring to 1750# from a 1250#, I hope that this not to much of an increase.
Ed
Never heard of a 3 and 4 leaf spring being rated the same unless they had two different mounting configuarations.
As for the leaf count, you can look at it in 2 ways. The 3 leaf has less mass to rust but you also have less to rust before a failure occurs. You would think that the spring with the greatest mass would offer the longest life.
FWIW I still have the orginal 4 leaf #2100 springs on my 1997 trailer. They're still solid and I don't have any plans to replace them anytime too soon.
Always in salt and usually hosed off with freshwater after use.
If both springs have equal weight rating then the four leaf spring will have a faster dampening rate. Sometimes this phenomena is used to get out of using shock absorbers. The ride will have less bounce with the four leaf spring.
if the weight capacities of the springs are the same.....
The 3 leaf will last longer due to thicker leafs.
The 4 leaf will be a smoother ride because as weight is added more leafs will do the work instead of less leafs doing more work sooner.
The 3 leafer should be cheaper than the 3 leafer and usually found on the cheapest trailers as well.
The more leafs you have the more progressive the spring.
