Offroad trailer leaf springs

[BRTreedogs]

And you need shocks if you want to control bounce.

Springs suspend the weight.

Shocks slow the springs response.

 

[longrangelead]

Yeah this definitely is the type of setup I want.... longer springs and shocks. I was just hoping someone who had done it before could give me some more specifics on parts. I'll do some research on blazer springs, probably like for an old solid steel K5. Seems like CJ-7 springs wouldn't be rated for enough weight.

Is your trailer a single axle utility type trailer? And how much weight are you carrying on it? Did you notice a significant difference in trailer bouncing or ride quality with the 5k springs vs the 3,500?

mine is a 12' x 7' x 7' 3500# single axle.
I use it as a hunting camp in a box. it's built out with bunk beds, fridge, freezer, batteries etc.
it's not that heavy until I add water, ice, geny and misc gear for the trip. on the return trip, the water and ice is gone, but replaced with meat.

It still doest feel heavy behind the truck. I doubt it all weighs more than the biggest sxs that would fit in the trailer.

Bounce was worse with the lighter springs because they had more spring(springier?), the heavier springs ride like they should. The 5k spring are 2" or 3" longer too.

it still has the 3500# axle, I smoked a bearing and hub so I upgraded from 4 lug hubs to 5 lug and 15" rims. I moved the fenders up 2" to run taller tires.

between springs and tires, I raised the trailer approx. 4" which is a huge difference in ground clearance where I was taking it for a while.

The only downside is it's a big step now. I built a plywood box that splits the difference of the typical distance once leveled.

yes, I was thinking old K5/C10 springs.
Toyota springs were mentioned, those would probably be to light/soft, the 80's/90's trucks were about 3000# and would sag putting a 400# quad in the back.
I suppose if your gross weight didn't change, that might work?

you might look at reverse torsion axles. the reverse axles have the arm below the axle for more ground clearance vs standard torsion that has the arm above the axle.
going to a single 6k reverse torsion axle might be a straight bolt in.

 

[Weldor]

Go look at some RV's, they often raise the torsion axles by putting a large square tube on the frame then bolt the axle back to it.

 

[BRTreedogs]

In my area used trailers sell pretty well.

Honestly I’d consider just selling that one and buying what you want.

 

[Weldor]

I just finished 2 OR trailers this past winter, One for wood hauling and one for a SXS game hauler both have springs. My personal OR trailer has torsion spindles and no cross axle. I have used both types and built a bunch of them, empty off-road they all bounce, on a dirt road they ride like trailers should. I've watched mine in the mirror jump 1 foot or more hauling empty down a crappy FS road behind my SXS

 

[Crews]

Honestly I’d consider just selling that one and buying what you want.

I will admit I can probably go buy something for close to what I’ll spend fixing this trailer up. Especially since it needs new deck boards and a longer tongue. But this trailer has a lot of sentimental value.

It’s already set up like a high boy and has a 7’ wide deck over the top of the tires. It’s actually nice to have the tall floor because usually what I’m doing is hand loading material on and off of it.

 

[doc holiday13]

go full custom. Get and on board air system and air springs with built in rubber stops. Add air to increase ground clearance