I have a trailer leaf spring Question??? (1 Viewer)

[GILBERTO PEREZ]

I have a trailer leaf spring Question???
Im getting every thing ready to fabricate my expedition style off road trailer, im goin to use it for baja travel the trailer is goin to be made from 2x3 .125 tubing ladder frame, the size 4x6 box, I have a 3500# axel & brakes, 6 wheel stud on 5 1/2 pattern, & my question regarding the leaft springs is whish spring will work better, I have 4 options
I all ready have 1 set off 4 runer spring, & 1`set from a toyota pic up 2x2 I can get a set from a isuzu troper for $ 50.00

1st is a toyota 4 Runer 4x4
2nd is a toyota pic up 2x2
3rd is a isuzu troper
4th is to order a set from ABCTRAILERPARTS.COM

all thes optsion are the same length around 45.87'' eye to eye leaft width 2.5'' leaft eye 1.5''
the only difference is the num. of spring leaves
ok guys wath do you recomend
WAS THINKIN OF USING THE 4RUNER SPRING & YES THEY GOIN TO BE STIFF, I ALL WAY CAN REMOVE SOME LEAFS TO MAKE IT A SOFTER RIDE ?

 

[IBCRUSN]

I think you're on the right track with using the 4runner springs. I don't know anything about driving Baja but from all the trip reports I've read it would sound like a good idea to go with the beefier springs to handle the corrugated roads.

Depending on how you build the trailer or pack you could even throw in one of the mini truck springs as spare just in case. Design a way to mount the spare spring underneath and out of the way. Call me paranoid but I wouldn't want to leave a trailer on the side of the road in Mexico due to a broken spring.

I do look forward to reading your build and will stay tuned.

 

[cruiserpilot]

I have a Toyota 4X2 pick up, and it can't carry 4 Rhodesian Ridgebacks without settling 1". So I would
not recommend them at all. 4Runner springs would be heavier duty. How much weight you hauling?
Camping gear or big loads of firewood too? But for washboard roads, consider installation of shocks. Good luck, keep pics coming.

 

[deepmud]

I would say it depends on the load - if the 4x2 compresses an couple inches, that's good (I'm assuming 4" to 6" of "normal" suspension travel) - you need down-travel as well as up-travel on a good suspension - I like the suspension to be able to drop into holes as well as absorb bumps (so do those Rhodesian Ridgebacks, I would think - I mean if the springs don't flex why use them? ) - I also recommend the use shock absorbers as well - they will help control sway that soft springs sometimes allow in addition to smoothing the washboards.

As a rule - the more leaves the better the ride quality (assuming the same capacity - i.e. two-leaf cheap trailer springs rated at 3k will not ride as smoothly as 6 leaves on a pickup truck rated for 3k) - Old Man Emu makes quality springs and you'll note they use many leaves.

Are they equipped with overload springs?

 

[ntsqd]

With a trailer, long wheel travel isn't a good idea and won't be used since the trailer can "articulate" at the coupler. Long travel will just make the trailer more unstable. What you do want are springs that are supple and will soak up the jarring hits. Good shocks will be important. The shorter the wheel travel, the more important the shocks become.

 

[deepmud]

how long is "long travel?

EDIT: reading this on a PC rather than my phone now

I agree supple is good - and I think in terms of "articulation" that ntsqd is again on the money - that the trailer will tilt to go over stuff.

I don't quite follow the short travel/shocks relationship - ntsqd ?

FWIW, my own trailer (which is sort of at the extreme end of soft/supple and long travel) behaves much better with shocks on it then it did without - but it's not leaf-sprung either so.....

 

[ntsqd]

When you have long travel, for discussion let's say 14" of travel, then the damper doesn't have to be very good at controlling the wheel and tire because it has a long ways to move in doing the job. Shorten that travel down to a more realistic ~4" of trailer wheel travel and now for the same performance level the shock has to be a whole lot better at it's job. This is the secret to desert racing a short and/or limited wheel travel class of vehicle, put the time and effort into the shocks as it is truly the best way to go fast. Even though we're not (usually) trying to win the Baja 1000 while towing a trailer the analogy holds true. With a short travel range the shock has to do it's work well and do it fast if the suspension is going to absorb the jarring hits w/o transmitting them to the rest of the trailer.

 

[GILBERTO PEREZ]

4 runner prings

When you have long travel, for discussion let's say 14" of travel, then the damper doesn't have to be very good at controlling the wheel and tire because it has a long ways to move in doing the job. Shorten that travel down to a more realistic ~4" of trailer wheel travel and now for the same performance level the shock has to be a whole lot better at it's job. This is the secret to desert racing a short and/or limited wheel travel class of vehicle, put the time and effort into the shocks as it is truly the best way to go fast. Even though we're not (usually) trying to win the Baja 1000 while towing a trailer the analogy holds true. With a short travel range the shock has to do it's work well and do it fast if the suspension is going to absorb the jarring hits w/o transmitting them to the rest of the trailer.

OK I'M GOIN TO USED 86 4RUNNER SPRINGS HERE ARE SOME PICTURES,
I JUST WANT TO SEE HOW MUCH CLEARENSE I WILL GET,
REGARDING THE LOAD IS GOIN TO BE CAMPING GEAR FOR A FAMILY OF 4, WATER, PROPANE TANK 2 BATTERIES, KITCHEN, ROF TOP TENT ?????????

 

[GILBERTO PEREZ]

Removing & installing new spring bushings

I got my energy bushings from inkpot tanks
HERE ARE SOME PICS REMOVING THE OLD SPRING BUSHIGS, & INSTALLING THE NEW ONES

 

[GILBERTO PEREZ]

Fabricating the front hanger

Fabricating the front hanger

 

[GILBERTO PEREZ]

Rear hanger & shackle

fabricating the front hanger

rear hanger & shackles & 9/16'' & 18MM greaseble bolts

 

[ntsqd]

Grade 8's don't tap very easily, do they?

Looking good.

 

[GILBERTO PEREZ]

Greasable bolts feature threaded zerk fittings

Grade 8's don't tap very easily, do they?

Looking good.

IF ANY BODY IS INTERESTED I HAVE GREASABLE BOLTS 9/16'' & 18MM INCLUDED
NYLON INSERT LOCK NUT
M18 X 120MM Greasable bolts feature threaded zerk fittings
9/16''X 4 1/4 Greasable bolts feature threaded zerk fittings