Upgraded the trailer springs...

[Mark42]

The original trailer springs flattened out. Guess the upgrades have pushed the weight over the capacity of the springs. A quick stop at the local truck scale shows the trailer weighs 1400 lbs and its rating is 1200. I checked the axle and it has a rating of 1600lbs, so I bought a pair of C hook springs rated at 2000 lbs and installed them tonight. Only took 2 hours!<br /><br />That should hold me until next year when I install an axle rated for 2000 lbs and some C rated tires and I'll call it done.<br /><br />I did take the time to check the bearings and they look great, but more importantly is that there was no water inside the inner bearing seal. Guess those Bearing Buddies are doing their job.<br /><br />Also put TripleGuard grease on all the pivot points and bearing surfaces. Took it out for a test drive and it was nice to hear a quiet trailer! No squeeks! Bet that lasts until the next time I launch the boat.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Upgraded the trailer springs...

Mark... You might want to be cautious by just upping the spring capacity. I hope the trailer frame is designed to hold the weight. I would just hate to hear the frame or tongue have failed.<br /><br />Could you add braces to the frame to accomodate the bigger springs?

 

[Mark42]

Re: Upgraded the trailer springs...

Good point! I'll have to look into that. The actual spring mounts, nuts, bolts and hardware are the same as used on trailers much larger than this one. The frame is full 2x3 box that is used on larger model trailers. But that doesn't guarantee anything, does it?

 

[Realgun]

Re: Upgraded the trailer springs...

I think you don't want to be over or a lot under the spring rating as you will either bounce the boat a lot harder or bottom out the boat more. Being under a few lbs is not going to hurt but being under a lot will cause more vibrations and thumps to be trasmitted to the boat.<br /><br />You could get shocks if your that worried. <br /><br />And yes Monroe had a retrofit kit.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Upgraded the trailer springs...

Realgun,<br /><br />The trailer makes a lot less noise since installing the springs. I think the banging sounds are gone because the leafs are not bottoming out. I saw tire rub marks on the underside of the fenders when I installed the springs, so I know at least some of the banging was tire hitting fender. Now it looks like the trailer frame floats on the springs rather than bouncing around on them. <br /><br />How do you like your 12 x 3.50 "C" rated tires? What brand? You run about 90 PSI in them?<br /><br />Mark