Trailer Axle and Springs

[frogman68]

Dont know much about trailers hoping someone here does.
Our Boy Scout trailer's frame sat about 3 inches off the ground hooked it to a 84 K10 and it was almost touching the ground in the back.
I noticed the axle was a 4 inch drop type sitting on top on the leaf I figured if I put the axle underneath the leaf I would gain 3 inches.
Took the axle out and thought it was bent (see dont know much about trailers lol) talked to my neighbor and he told me I need to move the spring perches to the top.
Went to Tractor Supply and got the perches lined them up directly above the old ones and welded em on. Checked it everything lines up cut the old perches off and installed it.
Took it for a test drive everything seemed fine. Loaded it today and went over a bump and a leaf broke in half (by the front eye of  the spring).
Question is there a difference on the leaf springs for where the axle sits ? If the axle should be on the top I will just get a new axle (this one was too long so the PO cut a section out and welded it back together. 

[Irish_Alley]

Me and my buddy built a car trailer out of a camper double axle. Did the samething you did,but with out the break lol. Did you overload the springs?

[Lt.Del]

I have my 30' double axle w/ brakes camper that one day I will convert to a car / atv hauler. 

If the trailer sits too low in the back, then I'd flip the ball/receiver over....ie: a 3" raised ball will become a 3" drop if flipped...difference of 6", thus raising the rear. 

On my weight equalizer ball, I have 4 adjustments to raise or lower the ball, and 5 angle adjustments for tilt.  My camper used to ride low in the rear, so I adjusted the ball lower, thus raising the rear of the trailer.

What size wheels/tires do you have on the axle?  I have seen some trailers with 14" and 15" wheels on at the same time....some people think when it comes to trailers, they can just throw on it what they have laying around.

You may have 13 or 14 inch wheels and may need 15" wheels.   

YOu can go to Northern Tools or Harbor Frieght and get all kinds of trailer gear from shackles, to springs, lights, u bolts, even the whole kit and axels.

I have moved the front leaf mounts on a trailer before...and reinforced the mounting of the mounts with angle iron and arc welded those puppies on.  You can use a jack to position the leafs just right to match the eye in with the mount.  It'll kind of take the tension off.    Someone could have positioned those mounts incorrectly if the trailer only sits 3" off the ground. But, there's a lot you can do with it, from changing wheel size to relocating the mounts, or, just get some stiffer springs with more of an arc to them which will raise the trailer.
 

[Blazin]

A spring is a spring. Axle under or over it doesn't matter. It was probably ready to break anyway.

[frogman68]

this is how she sat before the flip



We have a trailer store around the corner he was just closed when this happened. Will send the wife to get the new springs.
Dont believe the trailer was overloaded kids didnt pack half the gear we normal put in it.

Wheels are either 14 or 15's after its fixed I might be able to get 16's on there lol

[Irish_Alley]

i think blaz is right about this one the springs were prob about ready to go

[Captkaos]

Location doesn't matter, If it broke, I would assume it was ready to go.

[frogman68]

Location doesn't matter, If it broke, I would assume it was ready to go.

New Springs are at the house waiting for me to get home .

I just found it odd that it snapped a day after I moved it from top of the leaf to the bottom

Thanks again guys will post a picture when its on its tires again to see the diffrence

[frogman68]

Typical of my life

Springs are correct, U Bolts are correct but the shackle to leaf bolts are wrong grr the guy never checked it just gave my wife 9/16 bolts when this trailer is 1/2 from their web site dont look like the carry those bolts but do have the bushings . Tried tractor supply no dice might have to use grade 8 bolts

[Blazin]

Whats wrong with grade 8 bolts? Thats what the bolts from the spring place should be. Tractor Supply store near me carries springs, u bolts, and spring eye bolts in stock!

[frogman68]

Whats wrong with grade 8 bolts? Thats what the bolts from the spring place should be. Tractor Supply store near me carries springs, u bolts, and spring eye bolts in stock!

Nothing is wrong with grade 8 bolts . The guy at the store (and tractor supply) look like the carry only the 9/16 thread bolts (which btw are only grade 5). I will get some grade 8 bolts (1/2 thread) today after the wife gets some 1/2 bushings for the leaf springs..

[frogman68]

My   camera is acting screwy here it is with the new leafs took it camping this weekend and no issues.

[Irish_Alley]

looks a lot better