Another leaf spring shackle angle suspension question

Ask questions about Harbor Freight trailers, or questions about building your own...

Another leaf spring shackle angle suspension question

Postby Pixie Susan » Sun Apr 10, 2016 8:04 am

I've read the info on here and other forums regarding the shackle angle when mounting leaf springs, but much of it seems ambiguous when it comes down to "what should I do". So here's what I've got.

I have a home built TD on a HF frame. The original owner fabricated a drop axle and took the slipper springs off leaving me with a super cool looking ride that is anything but smooth on bumpy roads. I'm replacing the axle with a 2000# Northern Tool round axle with leaf springs rated at 1500#/pair. My setup is about 950#. I run 195/75 R 14's. I don't do any off-roading with it but it's making its way to the desert/mountains in Arizona and Utah, amongst others.

I'm ready to finish putting everything together my next day off. The only big question I have is about the shackle angle under no load when I mount the rear hanger. What would be ideal given my specs?

Any pros want to lend their knowledge to this little lady?

Thanks in advance!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
User avatar
Pixie Susan
Teardrop Advisor
 
Posts: 83
Images: 2
Joined: Sun Dec 27, 2015 2:04 pm

Re: Another leaf spring shackle angle suspension question

Postby Pixie Susan » Sun Apr 10, 2016 8:09 am

It may be worth mentioning I tow this with a 1st gen Scion xB, which has done wonderful thus far.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
User avatar
Pixie Susan
Teardrop Advisor
 
Posts: 83
Images: 2
Joined: Sun Dec 27, 2015 2:04 pm

Re: Another leaf spring shackle angle suspension question

Postby Redneck Teepee » Sun Apr 10, 2016 9:58 am

Image

This chart above will show you all you need to know. Your shackle bottom leaning slightly (just past 90deg.) forward will soften your spring rate.



Image

This is a pic of my spring angle and it rides pretty smooth for a 1400 pound teardrop. Not to worry though... any position within 90 degrees off the datum line 10 to 15 degrees either way will work just fine.

Good Luck! :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
I fear the day that technology will surpass our human interaction, the world will have a generation of idiot's.
User avatar
Redneck Teepee
Silver Donating Member
 
Posts: 853
Images: 21
Joined: Fri Dec 27, 2013 5:00 pm
Location: Central Ca.
Top

Re: Another leaf spring shackle angle suspension question

Postby Kaz » Sun Apr 10, 2016 1:47 pm

Wish I found that explanation and pic when I was building mine. Mine is slightly to the rear and it rides ok.I was shooting for slightly forward but the tape measure was upside down :lol: I assume the set up is for an unloaded suspension, Does it make a difference ?
Kaz
User avatar
Kaz
Silver Donating Member
 
Posts: 229
Images: 122
Joined: Tue Sep 23, 2014 3:27 pm
Location: Hanson. MA
Top

Re: Another leaf spring shackle angle suspension question

Postby Redneck Teepee » Sun Apr 10, 2016 2:32 pm

Kaz wrote:Wish I found that explanation and pic when I was building mine. Mine is slightly to the rear and it rides ok.I was shooting for slightly forward but the tape measure was upside down :lol: I assume the set up is for an unloaded suspension, Does it make a difference ?

The springs on an unloaded small trailer (Teardrop) won't compress too much, if any, when you flip it over onto it's axle as long as the springs are correctly sized for the application and completed build weight range.....So yes set it up unloaded.

Hope I was helpful :)
I fear the day that technology will surpass our human interaction, the world will have a generation of idiot's.
User avatar
Redneck Teepee
Silver Donating Member
 
Posts: 853
Images: 21
Joined: Fri Dec 27, 2013 5:00 pm
Location: Central Ca.
Top

Re: Another leaf spring shackle angle suspension question

Postby dales133 » Sun Apr 10, 2016 4:43 pm

Mine are angled back about 10 deg as i was advised but i havnt had a decent tow yet

Sent from my SM-N910G using Tapatalk
User avatar
dales133
4000 Club
4000 Club
 
Posts: 4605
Images: 1
Joined: Mon Oct 13, 2014 5:26 pm
Top

Re: Another leaf spring shackle angle suspension question

Postby Pixie Susan » Sun Apr 10, 2016 8:32 pm

Those who aren't thrilled with the way your trailer rides...why? Too bouncy?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
User avatar
Pixie Susan
Teardrop Advisor
 
Posts: 83
Images: 2
Joined: Sun Dec 27, 2015 2:04 pm
Top

Re: Another leaf spring shackle angle suspension question

Postby Pixie Susan » Mon Apr 11, 2016 11:36 am

dales133 wrote:Mine are angled back about 10 deg as i was advised but i havnt had a decent tow yet

Sent from my SM-N910G using Tapatalk



How is it riding?
User avatar
Pixie Susan
Teardrop Advisor
 
Posts: 83
Images: 2
Joined: Sun Dec 27, 2015 2:04 pm
Top

Re: Another leaf spring shackle angle suspension question

Postby dales133 » Mon Apr 11, 2016 11:43 am

Ill tell you in a few days i hope.
Ive just added shocks to but ive got the cabin off so i expect it to be pretty firm but hopefuly little boynce

Sent from my SM-N910G using Tapatalk
User avatar
dales133
4000 Club
4000 Club
 
Posts: 4605
Images: 1
Joined: Mon Oct 13, 2014 5:26 pm
Top

Re: Another leaf spring shackle angle suspension question

Postby Pixie Susan » Mon Apr 11, 2016 2:48 pm

dales133 wrote:Ill tell you in a few days i hope.
Ive just added shocks to but ive got the cabin off so i expect it to be pretty firm but hopefuly little boynce

Sent from my SM-N910G using Tapatalk


Good for you! I contemplated taking the cabin off mine for about 2 seconds before opting for rolling around on the floor. Image
User avatar
Pixie Susan
Teardrop Advisor
 
Posts: 83
Images: 2
Joined: Sun Dec 27, 2015 2:04 pm
Top

Another leaf spring shackle angle suspension question

Postby Pixie Susan » Thu Apr 14, 2016 9:44 pm

Any of you folks mount shock absorbers with your leaf spring setup? If so, did you buy a mounting kit or fab one?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
User avatar
Pixie Susan
Teardrop Advisor
 
Posts: 83
Images: 2
Joined: Sun Dec 27, 2015 2:04 pm
Top

Re: Another leaf spring shackle angle suspension question

Postby dales133 » Thu Apr 14, 2016 10:11 pm

I got a monting kit for mine but had to alter the top mounts and weld them to the frame.
The bottom mounts bolt onto the spring ubolts .
Same as these.
https://www.couplemate.com.au/trailer-p ... absorbers/

Sent from my SM-N910G using Tapatalk
User avatar
dales133
4000 Club
4000 Club
 
Posts: 4605
Images: 1
Joined: Mon Oct 13, 2014 5:26 pm
Top

Re: Another leaf spring shackle angle suspension question

Postby KCStudly » Fri Apr 15, 2016 11:23 am

I used parts store shock studs... special shouldered bolt/studs that prevent over tightening the shock bushing... and built the mounts for them.
Here's how I did it: http://www.tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?p=931777#p931777.
KC
My Build: The Poet Creek Express Hybrid Foamie

Poet Creek Or Bust
Engineering the TLAR way - "That Looks About Right"
TnTTT ORIGINAL 200A LANTERN CLUB = "The 200A Gang"
Green Lantern Corpsmen
User avatar
KCStudly
Donating Member
 
Posts: 9609
Images: 8169
Joined: Mon Feb 06, 2012 10:18 pm
Location: Southeastern CT, USA
Top

Re: Another leaf spring shackle angle suspension question

Postby Pixie Susan » Sun Apr 17, 2016 10:13 pm

KCStudly wrote:I used parts store shock studs... special shouldered bolt/studs that prevent over tightening the shock bushing... and built the mounts for them.
Here's how I did it: http://www.tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?p=931777#p931777.


Nicely done!
User avatar
Pixie Susan
Teardrop Advisor
 
Posts: 83
Images: 2
Joined: Sun Dec 27, 2015 2:04 pm
Top

Re: Another leaf spring shackle angle suspension question

Postby Pixie Susan » Sun Apr 17, 2016 10:14 pm

Image

Finished her up yesterday!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
User avatar
Pixie Susan
Teardrop Advisor
 
Posts: 83
Images: 2
Joined: Sun Dec 27, 2015 2:04 pm
Top


Return to Trailer and Chassis Secrets

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 9 guests