Trailer Springs

Replace Your Springs

When you notice the suspension on your trailer isnā€™t as stable or as strong as it once was, it could be time to replace your springs. At The Trailer Parts Outlet, we carry a variety of trailer springs in different capacities, making it easy to find the ones that fit your trailer. You can order new springs online, and weā€™ll ship everything to you as quickly as possible.

How do you know when you need new springs? How do you choose the right spring for a specific axle? This page will hopefully answer some of those questions and help you know when itā€™s time to update your trailer suspension with new springs, equalizers, U-bolts, and more.

When It's Time to Replace your Trailer Springs

There are a number of things to look for when youā€™re thinking of replacing your springs. First off, if you notice any cracks in any of the leaf springs, itā€™s important not to tow the trailer anywhere until youā€™ve replaced the broken parts. Cracks often occur near the bolt that connects the spring to the hanger, and the last thing you want is to be towing your trailer down the road and have a spring give out. This could result in damage to the trailer axle, the trailer cargo, the tow vehicle, and worst of all, yourself and any passengers in the vehicle.

Another issue to keep an eye on is rust. Any amount of rust on a trailer spring can be indicative of structural failure, and that failure can lead to compromised weight distribution and durability whenever you use the trailer. If you have a boat trailer thatā€™s in the water several times a year, you live near salt water, or your local roads are treated with salt each winter, keep an eye on your springs for signs of rust and corrosion.

Finally, if you can see any space between the spring leaves, itā€™s time to replace the spring. As you use your trailer, the springs are subjected to various amounts of weight, and this can cause them to become fatigued over time. The leaves may begin to flatten and separate, and they could possibly break if theyā€™re put under too much strain. Itā€™s better to be safe than sorry and replace your springs before using the trailer again.

Choosing the Right Trailer Springs

Once youā€™ve decided to replace your trailer springs, youā€™ll want to make sure you choose the right ones. Our catalog is filled with several options, ranging from 2K springs to 15K springs. For lighter-duty trailer axles, including 2K to 7K axles, the most common spring option is a double-eye trailer spring. As you increase in axle capacity, from 8K to 15K axle, you can go with slipper springs or radius end spring.

The most important thing to keep in mind when ordering new springs is the capacity of your trailer axle. For example, if you have a 7K trailer axle, youā€™ll need a combined spring weight of 7,000 pounds. By installing two 3.5K springs, youā€™ll have the right capacity for your axle. If your trailer is a tandem- or triple-axle trailer, youā€™ll want to ensure that you have the right spring capacity for each of the axles. If your total trailer axle capacity is 14K, with two 7K axles, youā€™ll need four 3.5K springs to support the axle suspension.

If you have any questions about choosing the right trailer springs, our team is always happy to help. You can contact us online or give us a call at (833) 416-9400 and a member of our staff will assist you.

Measuring Your Trailer Springs

Itā€™s also a good idea to measure your springs to ensure that theyā€™re the right size for your trailer. The hangers and equalizers need to be in the right spot, and if the spring is too long or too short, it wonā€™t match up correctly with the rest of the trailer suspension.

For double-eye leaf springs, you want to measure from the center of the front bushing to the center of the rear bushing. Make sure youā€™re measuring in a straight line and that the spring isnā€™t under load or bearing any weight while youā€™re doing this. Any stress or pressure on the spring will change your measurements. Youā€™ll also want to check the inside diameter of the spring bushings so that you can order the appropriate nuts and bolts for attaching the spring to the trailer hanger kit.

If you need a slipper spring for your trailer, you can measure from the center of the front bushing to the end of the spring. Again, make sure the trailer frame is jacked up so that thereā€™s no weight or strain on the spring. Once you have your measurements, youā€™ll know which new springs to order!

Installing Your New Springs

After youā€™ve received your new trailer springs, youā€™ll likely want to get them installed as soon as possible. Youā€™ll have to remove the old springs first, of course, and itā€™s imperative to be careful while doing this so that you donā€™t damage any of the hanger parts and accessories that you plan on reusing. It can be a good idea to replace the entire trailer suspension at the same time, including the springs, the bolts, the equalizer, and more.

Your basic spring installation will consist of the spring itself, the front and rear hanger, a shackle bolt, a U-bolt, and a tie plate. For tandem- and triple-axle trailers, you can also have a center hanger and an equalizer. When installing your new suspension, you can attach the spring underneath the axle, or in the ā€œunderslungā€ position, or above the axle, in the ā€œoverslungā€ position. Which one you choose can depend on the trailer type, how much cargo youā€™ll be carrying, and personal preference. Overslung springs are often more common on single-axle trailers, whereas underslung springs can be used on tandem- and triple-axle trailers.

Trailer Spring Parts and Accessories

Youā€™ve measured your trailer springs, and you know which ones you need to order, so whatā€™s the next step? When buying new springs, itā€™s a good idea to purchase new parts and accessories, including spring seats, hanger kits, U-bolts, and more. You can also order a complete trailer suspension kit that comes with springs, tie plates, nuts, and everything else you need for your trailer. If youā€™re not sure which parts you need or which kit is right for your fleet, contact us and weā€™ll help order the right options.

Keeping Your Trailer On The Road

At The Trailer Parts Outlet, our mission is simple ā€” to help our customers keep their trailers on the road for a very long time. Parts will break and springs will wear out, but when you need to repair your trailer, you can count on us to provide quality products at great prices. If youā€™re building a brand new trailer and you want to source your parts from one place, our catalog is a great choice. You can count on superior customer service, fast shipping, and reliable support, should there be any issues.

If you want quality springs for your trailer, look through our inventory today. You can get everything you need for your personal or commercial trailer, and have it back on the road in no time!