Needs Pictures: 0
Picture(s) thanks: 0
Results 1 to 14 of 14
-
2nd Nov 2021, 08:23 PM #1Most Valued Member
- Join Date
- Aug 2011
- Location
- Melbourne
- Posts
- 4,779
Leaf Spring Attachment To Chassis
Hi all,
I'm considering the purchase of a 3/4 built 7x5 trailer.
It looks to be reasonably well made however, the seller has yet to attach the slipper leaf springs.
They are shown attached to a length of angle iron. Apparently the angle iron is simply welded to underneath the chassis.
Has anyone seen this method of leaf spring attachment before?
Any feedback much appreciated.
Simon
Sent from a galaxy far far awayGirl, I don't wanna know about your mild-mannered alter ego or anything like that." I mean, you tell me you're, uh, super-mega-ultra-lightning babe? That's all right with me. I'm good. I'm good.
-
2nd Nov 2021, 08:43 PM #2Intermediate Member
- Join Date
- Jul 2021
- Location
- Central NSW
- Posts
- 25
Can’t say I have seen them put on angle. but can’t really see any thing wrong with it - but would u would need to weld along both the bottom and top of the angle Also could possibly affect the mudguard instal
-
2nd Nov 2021, 08:56 PM #3Most Valued Member
- Join Date
- Nov 2008
- Location
- North Brisbane. Qld. Australia
- Age
- 70
- Posts
- 1,514
Never seen that before. Is it to make up for thin walled chassis?
Nev.
-
2nd Nov 2021, 09:17 PM #4Most Valued Member
- Join Date
- Aug 2011
- Location
- Melbourne
- Posts
- 4,779
Good question Nev, not sure but the springs are rated to 1900kg for the pair. If you really wanted a trailer to carry these loads then thin walled rhs would not work anyway.
I can't see an issue from a mechanical strength POV but surely angle welded to the chassis in such a way will just promote rust between the two?
Simon
Sent from a galaxy far far awayGirl, I don't wanna know about your mild-mannered alter ego or anything like that." I mean, you tell me you're, uh, super-mega-ultra-lightning babe? That's all right with me. I'm good. I'm good.
-
2nd Nov 2021, 09:18 PM #5Most Valued Member
- Join Date
- Mar 2011
- Location
- Southern Flinders Ranges
- Posts
- 1,555
I’ve seen it before, but not done like that (the ends of angle were radiused to spread the attachment load). I’ve also seen them welded to pieces of flat.
Its done to stop the slipper wearing through the chassis, generally on trailers that see a lot of unsealed roads (at least that’s been my experience)
Personally, I’d sell the slippers and buy a pair of shackled springs in preference.
To stop it rusting, seal it with silicon in between weld beads
-
2nd Nov 2021, 10:19 PM #6Most Valued Member
- Join Date
- May 2011
- Location
- Murray Bridge S Aust.
- Age
- 71
- Posts
- 5,959
When the springs are attached to angle like you have, it's usually to be able to move the setup for correct weight distribution, normally only done on a boat trailer, where U bolts are used after everything is galvanised.
Mudguards are normally welded to the angle, along with more smaller angle to support the guards, or pressed checker plate to be used as a step to get in/out the boat/
As racingtadpole stated, go for a set of eye and eye springs, whether they be Greaseable rollers or shackles.
KrynTo grow old is mandatory, growing up is optional.
-
3rd Nov 2021, 09:53 AM #7Intermediate Member
- Join Date
- Feb 2009
- Location
- Tasmania
- Posts
- 43
I will second Kryn's advice. That is pretty much how I have the springs set up on my boat trailer. The trailer carries a 6.4m boat and the angle iron/spring/mudguard combination is held in place with U-bolts. This allows adjustment of where the wheels sit in relation to the load and how much weight there is on the draw bar. If, for example, you change the 2-stroke outboard for a 4-stroke or add another motor, it helps to be able to move the wheel assembly back to be able to balance the trailer or forward if you lighten the stern of the boat.
If you are never going to move the wheels etc, get a new set of spring hangers and add them to your frame where you want them and change the springs over. That should alleviate some of the rust issues except for between the hangers and trailer chassis maybe... or use it as is and silicon around/between the welds as racingtadpole suggested.
Simon
-
3rd Nov 2021, 02:58 PM #8Most Valued Member
- Join Date
- Aug 2011
- Location
- Melbourne
- Posts
- 4,779
I could cut the angle down its length so that it becomes simply a flat bar and then just weld that (along the length) to the underneath of the chassis.
Simon
Sent from a galaxy far far awayGirl, I don't wanna know about your mild-mannered alter ego or anything like that." I mean, you tell me you're, uh, super-mega-ultra-lightning babe? That's all right with me. I'm good. I'm good.
-
4th Nov 2021, 08:55 AM #9Most Valued Member
- Join Date
- Jul 2010
- Location
- Melbourne
- Posts
- 9,088
-
4th Nov 2021, 08:59 AM #10Most Valued Member
- Join Date
- Aug 2011
- Location
- Melbourne
- Posts
- 4,779
Girl, I don't wanna know about your mild-mannered alter ego or anything like that." I mean, you tell me you're, uh, super-mega-ultra-lightning babe? That's all right with me. I'm good. I'm good.
-
4th Nov 2021, 09:20 AM #11Most Valued Member
- Join Date
- Jul 2010
- Location
- Melbourne
- Posts
- 9,088
-
4th Nov 2021, 12:01 PM #12
As far i know those slipper spring attachments are for boat trailers and bolt on , they are not welded. The idea is they can be replaced as necessary once the frame rusts. I had a small car trailer with that setup and worked ok , they were also bolted not welded. I did have trouble selling the trailer as a few guys looked at it and said no way they would tow a car with that setup. It looks a bit sketchy.
-
7th Nov 2021, 06:50 PM #13Most Valued Member
- Join Date
- Aug 2011
- Location
- Melbourne
- Posts
- 4,779
Hey I forgot to reply!
Thanks Stu. I know what you mean now.
Thanks iron triangle.
Anyway, there quite a few things in the design of that trailer that was not keen on so decided not to buy it.
Simon
Sent from a galaxy far far awayGirl, I don't wanna know about your mild-mannered alter ego or anything like that." I mean, you tell me you're, uh, super-mega-ultra-lightning babe? That's all right with me. I'm good. I'm good.
-
14th Nov 2021, 09:31 PM #14Novice
- Join Date
- Aug 2011
- Location
- SA
- Posts
- 10
It's clear that they are bolt on spring assemblies
Similar Threads
-
Patch up for leaf spring eyes
By bob ward in forum METALWORK GENERALReplies: 11Last Post: 12th Aug 2017, 09:55 AM -
Chasing a suitable spring or spring material for a microscope eyepiece clamp.
By Anorak Bob in forum METALWORK GENERALReplies: 35Last Post: 28th Jul 2016, 02:00 AM -
Leaf suspension measurements
By murray44 in forum TRAILERS & OTHER FABRICATED STUFFReplies: 3Last Post: 27th Dec 2012, 11:36 AM -
tyre to leaf spring clearance
By danielhobby in forum TRAILERS & OTHER FABRICATED STUFFReplies: 8Last Post: 21st Jun 2011, 09:29 PM -
Tapered leaf springs
By SurfinNev in forum TRAILERS & OTHER FABRICATED STUFFReplies: 3Last Post: 12th Feb 2009, 09:15 PM