The Good, Bad, and Ugly or Trailer Leaf Springs
Posted by
Champion Trailers
on February 11, 2014
Champion Trailers
on February 11, 2014
Trailer springs are
essential part of trailer suspension and as we all know you cannot go
anywhere without your springs. Unfortunately, many of us do not pay
attention to our springs and years can go by before we think of them.
Usually, this thinking occurs when you are sitting on the side of the
road or boat launch waiting on that expensive tow truck that is heading
your way! And the worst thing about it? It can be avoided and all it
takes is knowing what to look for before leaving on your fishing trip. A
good trailer spring makes a happy fisherman and boater! Any of these
problems and issues we will cover can occur on Double Eye Springs, C-Hook (reverse curl) Springs, and Slipper Springs at
any time. These types of leaf springs can be found on boat trailers,
utility trailers, and enclosed trailer so make sure you check every
trailer you may have to avoid suspension issues in the future.
The
reason we see so many issues with springs at Champion is that trailer
springs are not usually a trailer part that wears or breaks easily
unless it is over loaded, rusted badly, or just old. For this reason
many people overlook the springs during yearly maintenance checks.
Champion Trailers takes trailer repair and maintenance very seriously as
damage or failure of your leaf springs can cause tire and axle damage
or complete failure of the trailer suspension. To help our customers
stay safe on the road we will go over what to look for before hitting
the water this year.
Trailer springs should always be inspected for
cracks and breakage to avoid failure of the trailer spring. Cracks
typically appear near the philister bolt and near the eye of the bolt that connects your spring to your hanger.
Anytime you see a crack or break in the spring it is time to replace
them. When a trailer spring fails you can receive significant damage to
your trailer and boat such as complete suspension failure, cracks in the frame, tire or hub damage, and trailer axle damage.
- The Cracked Trailer Spring
inspecting your trailer springs you also want to make certain that you
do not see daylight between leafs of the spring. This is caused from
the spring fatiguing over time due to weight and use. When springs
fatigue they cannot support the weight as needed. A fatigued spring
will flatten out quicker and may possibly break. Tired springs are not
safe springs!
- The Separated Trailer Spring
thing to keep an eye on is the amount of rust on your springs. The
type of rust you need to be worried about is chunks of rust coming off
the springs or large amounts of rust that would not be considered
surface rust. Rust compromises the strength and load capacity of the
spring as it begins to take over the strong steel and turn it into weak
layered rust.
- The Rusted Trailer Spring
offers FREE repair estimates on broken and damaged trailers as well as
yearly maintenance inspections. Don't forget to buy all your spring bolts, spring hangers, shackle links, and U bolt tieplate kits
when you replace those old trailer springs.
- The Good Trailer Spring
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