My "new to me" trailer

[lm248]

A couple of weeks ago I bought a used trailer,
The PO said that it used to be a popup.
The size is what I wanted for my build, 6'8" wide by 10'3" long,,
I'm 6'2" and my son is 6'4" so in my design we could sleep sideways.
Here is a picture.

My question is about the suspension,,,
On the way home which was about 60 miles, it towed good.
I took it down the Xway everything seemed good.
When I started checking everything over I noticed this,,,,
Right side,,,

Close up of right shackle,

Left side,,,

Close up of left side shackle

And yes I should of noticed all of this before I bought it.
What can I say I was excited.
I know I don't need the coil springs for the weight, but I would like to keep the shocks.
Soooo,,,,
Should I keep the set up I have and fix it?
Should I trash it and start over?
I only paid $200 for the trailer,,, so if I need to put some more into it,,,
It won't be a total disaster.
I'm open to sugestions
Thanks,
Les

[ParTaxer]

I would try repairing it first.

[CarlLaFong]

Deleted. Poor advise

[aggie79]

I saw in the foamies section that you are building a foamie. I definitely ditch the coil spring and probably the bottom flat leafs of the leaf spring. Other than that, I 'd check the spindles and replace the bearings and seals.

[Robbie]

It looks like the leaf springs are too short? Like they replaced the originals with those thick packed HD springs but they ended up a little short. All my experience with leaf spring suspension has been that the shackle is supposed to angle forward off the spring so when the leafs flatten out it can allow for such movement by swinging back. So I would say either find longer springs or cut off the shackle mount and move it slightly forward of the rear spring eyelet.

[jss06]

It looks like the leaf springs are too short? Like they replaced the originals with those thick packed HD springs but they ended up a little short. All my experience with leaf spring suspension has been that the shackle is supposed to angle forward off the spring so when the leafs flatten out it can allow for such movement by swinging back. So I would say either find longer springs or cut off the shackle mount and move it slightly forward of the rear spring eyelet.

I agree. The leaf springs appear to be way too short. They were probalby replaced at some time in their life. No idea where the coils came from. They are almost definately an add on later in life.

Ditch the coils and buy correct length springs rated to what you estimate the max weight of the trailer will be.

[doug hodder]

I agree....springs are too short. Shackles should flex to the rear and not be allowed to lock up forward like that. It's one serious pack of springs on it as well, with helpers to boot. Someone at some time has done some welding on that frame so it's entirely possible that it's been modified and the leaf springs are beat. Springs are relatively cheap. Doug

Maybe it's the pic...but what's going on in the right front corner ahead of the step? Sorta looks like a gap. I wonder if it was a Pop Up as it still has parts from an equalizer hitch left on the tongue...must've been a heavy one.

[lm248]

Maybe it's the pic...but what's going on in the right front corner ahead of the step? Sorta looks like a gap. I wonder if it was a Pop Up as it still has parts from an equalizer hitch left on the tongue...must've been a heavy one.

There is a gap at every corner like that with a gusset welded inside.
As far as replacing the springs they are app. 50 inches long.
So if I'm going to replace them should I go with a shorter spring?
Which would allow me to move my axle back.
The PO said it was from a popup,,,,
But I think "someone" modified it.
Thanks,
Les

[lm248]

I saw in the foamies section that you are building a foamie.

That's the plan,
I realize that the trailer is pretty heavy duty for a fomie,,,,,
But I couldn't pass up the price.
Thanks,
Les

[Shadow Catcher]

I have got to say those are very ugly welds and the springs as others have said do not fit. If it were me I would rework the suspension using a trailing arm and the coil spring and get rid of a bunch of heavy metal. Or start over with a light weight frame.

[Robbie]

As far as replacing the springs they are app. 50 inches long.
So if I'm going to replace them should I go with a shorter spring?

You definitely don't want to go shorter on the leaf springs. They are already too short. If they are 50 inches long right now then what you can do is hit up your local junk yard and find some rear leaf springs from an older (90's era) chevy pickup as they are 56" long. That should move the rear eyelet back enough so the shackle is positioned correctly. Just be sure to measure the distance from the center of the front eyelet to the centering pin on the springs as some trucks had that offset to the front or rear. Also the width of the spring. But it my be easier to get some 1/4" metal and make all new spring and shackle mounts, with the longer springs, on the frame and then position your axle to where ever you want.

[Steve_Cox]

If it were mine, I would take off all the old suspension and put a torsion axle on it

[lm248]

:thinking:

If it were mine, I would take off all the old suspension and put a torsion axle on it

That was my first choice,,,,
I'd have to put in some additional supports, I believe????

But I was hoping someone here might come up with some cheaper options as well.
I'm willing to spend some money to get it right,
I'm just not sure wich is the best right.
Thanks for everyones input so far,
Les

[Yota Bill]

you can buy new spring and shackle hangers very cheap, TSC sells them each seperately or all in a kit. I would buy a kit, take a few leaves out, cut off all of the old hangers, and weld new ones on at the correct position, with the axle mounted where you want it.

http://www.tractorsupply.com/trailers-t ... ge-0175295

about $20, and a few hours work (if you can weld the hangers on yourself)

automotive springs are generally wider then trailer springs, so they wont fit into your existing hangers, unless its already got automotive springs on it. You'll need to measure the width to verify that before you can really do anything.

The trailing arm idea isnt a bad idea, but I'm assuming that if you were capable of building that, you probably wouldnt need to ask for advice on how to fix this problem.

[lm248]

I didn't think of TSC.
I will check that out.
Thanks,
Les