Leaf Spring on trailer breaks

[Waterbug]

After spending the long winter months doing EVERY type of maintenance I could think of to my boat and trailer, I finally decided to take the boat out this past weekend to Venice, La., which is about a 4 hour drive from my house.

I’m thinking nothing should go wrong because I’ve done preventative maintenance and everything is in ship shape condition.

SURPRISE, SURPRISE, SURPRISE!!! After about 3 hours into my trip, I broke a leaf spring on my dual axle trailer. . Fortunately it happened approximately 3 miles from a friend of mine who lives in Port Sulfur. They were able to help me find a new spring and after about 3 hours we were on our way again.

My trailer is only 3 years old. The salesman at the boat dealership told me that salt water is tough on springs. After doing a visual inspection on the remaining springs they APPEAR to be in good condition. Of course the broken one appeared to be in good condition also.

Question #1. Should I now replace all of the springs or was this a rare occurrence?
Question #2 Do any of you ocasionally replace the springs and if so how often?
Question #3 Do any of you carry a spare spring with you? I’m thinking that maybe I should. I would hate to break a spring on a Sunday evening when everything is closed.

Thanks.

[rldraugh]

I would be interested in hearing comments on this one also....

My single axle brokes one of its leafs around 3yrs also. Got the same strory.

I replaces both at that time.

Now 3yrs later both are looking pretty rusted again. I usually coat them with oil at the end of each trip during final cleanup, but it does not appear to have helped much.

With a single axle, when on spring fails a lot of other bad stuff is likely to happen.....

[LastPenny]

Replace all your springs. My experience is that routine saltwater use consumes springs between the 3rd and 4th year, even if they're washed after every use.. I know some people get 20 years out of their springs but that is not normal. At the very least, change the spring on the other side on the same axle. If you go ahead and change the reamaining 3 springs, bolts, etc, your set for three more years. Besides they aren't expensive, just some work, It takes about a 6-pack per axle.

[Tsunami]

I have seen springs break but usually it has been on an older trailer. In a pinch you can jack up the trailer and put a board in to level the boat out. I have seen this work for 100 miles before. If one broke the safe thing to do is replace them all. Be sure to rinse them good after use but they will rust anyway.

Kirk

[chorn24]

Mine have always let go between 18 and 36 months give or take, I finally went torsion, if one breaks dont drive on it long, if the other loop goes so will the axel, that would be very bad.

[coastboater]

I'd advise against replacing the springs because I'd be putting that money into a new trailer with torsion axles. I had a spring break (the bad "spring break") - 150 miles from home - at night . I swore I'd never own a trailer with springs again. Well, I still own one - a 5 X 10 utility trailer.

[auguste]

My dad had a welding shop that did lots of work on all types of springs . . . I worked with him for many years while at school and university . . . I suggest that you only replace the other springs if the springs seem to sag (if you are doing the repair yourself) or buy a whole assembly if someone else is doing it . . . labour is probably the major cost for you

Each leaf spring is individually tempered and shaped from a long bar . . . springs break for a variety, usually because the temper is too brittle, or because of a very hard impact like rolling over a curb at speed . . . a spring can bend a lot if the load is applied slowly . . . trailer springs tend to be the lowest quality springs on the market as price is such an important factor on boat and utility trailers.

The spring can "loose its spring" if it is often loaded and worked at its maximum . . . the "modulus of elasticity" decreases, so they have to be replaced

[LouC]

I smeared marine grease all over the ones I installed a couple years ago and they still look good despite the salt water...

The first time I towed a boat trailer, one of the springs was broken ( I did not know that, just picked it up) and I asked my boater neighbor, are all trailers this noisy?? Well after I launched the boat I saw the spring and put on a new pair, what a difference!!!

Don't know how the previous owner towed it like that!

[richg]

The head guy at Mc Lain trailers in Houston said that I could only expect 3 years on the brand new springs I was having installed. Saltwater is rough on them!
RichG

[auguste]

richg - 4/26/2004 6:47 PM

The head guy at Mc Lain trailers in Houston said that I could only expect 3 years on the brand new springs I was having installed. Saltwater is rough on them!
RichG

I have only had one spring break on a boat trailer in more than 20 years of towing boats, three trailers and all are being used today . . . part of that time in salt water.

If a salesperson told me that, I would be looking for different springs . . . in my opinion

[KevinM]

Just a thought, you may want to consider updating to torsion axles.

[Hub]

I use the old "headlight" rule of thumb:* if one quits, replace both.* In this case, replace all of the springs at the same time.* At least you'll know that they are in good shape!*

I just replaced both of mine in the fall before going to FL: starboard spring--3 of 4 broken, port spring--1 broken and 2 cracked!!!* Am very glad I did this before leaving!!!

[richg]

Considering the low cost of replacing some springs, I'd much rather be fore-warned than have some guy ( this was decidely NOT a sales guy) tell me that I don't have to worry for 6 years and then lose the boat and trailer out on the road someplace.

I've gone through enough springs, over a lot of years, to tell you that he is right on! Maybe the water in Texas is more corrosive. RichG

[The Classic]

I had both springs break on a single axle trailer about 70 miles from home. BoatUS organized a tow service and found a shop to have them repaired in... the shop said 3 years max in saltwater. Im not sure how old they were then, but they are pretty cheap and would replace them every 3 years if I did any distance towing. Now i am 200 feet from the ramp so no biggie really.

The board trick sounds like a really good idea. A really freaking good idea. I am going to keep two with the trailer now at all times.

[maschweikert]

a good rule of thumb when to replace is when the leaves start to seperate from one another, its time.

[chorn24]

If one breaks, its time to change all of them, you might as well while the tools are out. Others will break in short order.