Trailer Leaf Spring Questions

So I've been building a trailer for our jet skis for the past few weeks and I have a few questions on the suspension since I used the old leafs off my truck.

First of all, the springs ended up being way too soft for the weight so I got some helper springs from autozone to see if they would do anything. Just putting one on each side did almost nothing so I doubled them up and put them above the overload leaf. The springs are nice and stiff now but do you guys see any problems with this in the long run?

Here's some pics of the setup. There are 2 of these helpers per spring.





Also you can see the custom shackles in the first pic. I just have the top bolt going through the 1/8" steel tube with no sleeving. Do you guys think I should get some round tubing and sleeve that hole so it doesn't get elongated from the bolt pivoting on it?

Thanks, I've been learning a lot on this project lol.

 

I would sleeve that hole. I know it's a pain but it will help you not to worry when you're towing that trailer down the highway. Also, how are your rear shackle angles when the trailer is under load? Do you still have room for them to move as the leaf springs settle and stretch out?

 

They (the ends of the leaf springs) get about 1/4" from hitting the frame when bottomed out so they're good. When I had the running boards for the skis mocked up and the skis on the trailer, I could bottom them out pretty easily with my hands. Now I can't even get them close with the helpers.

And yeah, I was thinking the same thing about sleeving. It will be a pain but oh well, I want it to be safe.

 

bump for more opinions.

 

I'd say you're good to go. I don't think shackles move too much when compressing either. You could try removing the helper leafs you bought and turning the overloads upside down and maybe trimming them down on the ends a bit, but if this is working to your liking may as well leave it. The sleeves for the the top of the shackles are probably a good idea since over time the holes probably will elongate since the contact area isn't much and it is mild steel. Sleeving that would be easy with 1/2" i.d. DOM..

 

Thanks for the info. I will definitely look into those bolts. Also the tubes are welded pretty good right now but Im probably going to hit them a little more. I just don't want to warp the steel by welding too much on one side of it. Also the only reason the front hangers are bolted on is so the axle can be moved easily if needed. Right now with the skis on, there is about 50 lbs of tounge weight. Once I get a toolbox and fuel tanks on the front that will go up a bit.

 

Cool, thanks. I think I'll leave the helper spring the way they are. I just wasn't sure if they were going to cause damage being setup like that.

 

Okay well I did end up sleeving those holes and it came out great. We took it out this weekend to the lake (300 mile round trip) and it did pretty good. Only problem was one of the autozone helpers is bent now and the drivers side is sagging a bit. Im going to need to rethink the suspension. It does ride like a cloud though lol.

I still need to finish painting the front box, just didn't have time.







back home, you can see how much that side is sagging.