Offroad trailer leaf springs

[Crews]

I've got a 12' trailer with tandem light duty torsion axles that are completely shot and in need of replacement. Thinking about just going back with a single leaf spring axle. After some research it seems a "long travel" leaf spring and shock setup should be a bit cheaper and work fine for a light duty utility trailer that sees some offroad use (not overlanding.) It seems most trailer springs for 3,500# are 26" long. I see some folks use CJ-7 springs that are almost twice that long.

But I don't know where to start sourcing these parts, or what to be looking for. Does anyone have any pointers?

 

[Weldor]

Local, Tractor supply, or online just about everyone carries springs and perches now. Last axle I bought for a small trailer was from Amazon. Best price crazy

 

[fmyth]

The next time I drag my axle towing down a 2 track I'm retrofitting my trailer with Timbren independent suspension.

 

[Tod osier]

I've got a 12' trailer with tandem light duty torsion axles that are completely shot and in need of replacement. Thinking about just going back with a single leaf spring axle. After some research it seems a "long travel" leaf spring and shock setup should be a bit cheaper and work fine for a light duty utility trailer that sees some offroad use (not overlanding.) It seems most trailer springs for 3,500# are 26" long. I see some folks use CJ-7 springs that are almost twice that long.

But I don't know where to start sourcing these parts, or what to be looking for. Does anyone have any pointers?

As a start, you can just call Dexter and they will make the axles up and fedex you the whole shebang. Fedex ground is not all that expensive. Everything from one place is nice, but not the cheapest.

Having said that I don't think I'd ever go in that direction from torsion to springs. A life goal would be to never own a sprung trailer again. I'd get a replacement torsion axle were it me.

 

[Crews]

Local, Tractor supply, or online just about everyone carries springs and perches now. Last axle I bought for a small trailer was from Amazon. Best price crazy

The whole point is that I'm looking for something other than typical leaf springs, most off the shelf stuff I'm seeing is ~24", which is relatively stiff for a lightweight trailer. I want way longer springs for a smoother ride.

 

[Crews]

Having said that I don't think I'd ever go in that direction from torsion to springs. A life goal would be to never own a sprung trailer again. I'd get a replacement torsion axle were it me.

I think leaf spring trailers get a bad reputation because they're over-sprung and short/stiff. That's the whole point behind what I'm asking for.... a much longer leaf spring that rides smoother and takes some of that bounce out.

If I can find the right stuff I think it'll be cheaper. Maybe I'm wrong.

 

[BRTreedogs]

IMO torsion axle is the way to go.

 

[BRTreedogs]

It’s it’s to bouncy for you it needs shocks.

A leak spring setup for a single axle is just a fixed mounting point on the front and a shackle to a fixed point on the back.

You can use any setup u want
Just center the axle where you want with the average weight and weld them in.

One problem I see you having is you want performance and cheap.

Pick one.

 

[nm.otter]

Torsions are nice on the highway, but I've had to replace far too many over the years.

My last equipment hauler had a tandem slipper spring setup (3/4 of the way back, high tongue weight) and drove like a dream on the highway, over ditches, and pretty much anyplace I could drag it.