Does anybody make galvanized leaf springs? (Old Thread)

[rharris]

If so, where can I buy them. Eastern marine only sells black painted springs and says that galvanized springs aren't made. I haven't checked with champion trailers, but they are on my to-call list in a few minutes. Thanks in advance!

[G8RDave]

I don't believe anyone makes galvanized springs. Springs have to bend and flex to work. The galvanized coating can not bend. Therefore the coating would flake off as soon as the springs are put under load.

[dingbat]

The residual moisture caught between the leafs of the springs would cause a lot of issues with the zinc as well

[rharris]

Thanks for the help!

[mkus]

I coat mine with grease evey year no rust.

[slickster]

I have some I made out of aluminum....no rust but not much spring.....Mick

[EASTERNMARINE]

We have searched for alternatives for the painted springs. As stated above, galvanizing will not work. Greasing might keep the rust at bay but will leave an oil slick in the water when launching. This is illegal in some locales.
The best solution is to use something like CRC HD Corrosion Inhibitor yearly. Personally tried to paint my new springs with Pettit TrailerCoat but I still have some rust 2 yr later.
The rust starts between the leaves.

[mwsnapper]

Best solution torsion axles

[rharris]

you make a good point there mwsnapper. Ny plan is to save up enough money to buy a set one of these days. Until then I guess my rusty old painted springs will have to make do.

[Eyehooker]

bite the bullet and go with new axles/post-- you will love the ride---

[gls119]

try a product called "Linebacker" comes in a spray can. it's about as good as you can do without going torsion. it is very similar to spray cosmoline

[nlkent]

I'll second the torsion axles.

[daniellesdiamond]

How about the Dupli-Color spray in bedliner aerosol cans at walmart, jst spray them down and the rbber coating will adhese to the springs keeping out the water. Might also keep them Quiet as well. Anbody done this before.

[Swell]

rharris,
I have what is called parabolic leaf springs on my boat trailer. They are a single, tapered leaf spring that is galvanized.
Mine are rated at 500kg(1100lbs) each, but they do come in other sizes. Because they are a galvanized single leaf spring they don't rust. My trailer is 4 years old and is put in sea water at least once a week and the springs still look new.
Here's a link:
http://www.alko.com.au/vehicle/springs/parabolic.html
I hope this helps,
Swell.

[onokai]

I soaked my new ones in light oil then sprayed white grease on them to hold it in and they look great two years later.Xnay on the galvonay. Mark

[Tarbaby]

After frying fish, pour the used oil on the leaf springs....Thats how we do it here. We really are rednecks!

[Aliboy]

I am picking up a set of 5 leaf galv springs for a dual axle trailer tomorrow. They are quite common here. Also stainless backed brake pads. Hopefully these 2 components coupled with ceramic pistons in the slave cylinders will significantly reduce my brake and spring maintenance. Can't comment how well the galv springs will last yet, but am quite sure that they will be better, even if not completely maintenance free. Ask me agin in a couple of years and I will have a bit more info to share.

[Afishinado]

Aliboy - 10/24/2007 6:30 AM I am picking up a set of 5 leaf galv springs for a dual axle trailer tomorrow. They are quite common here. Also stainless backed brake pads. Hopefully these 2 components coupled with ceramic pistons in the slave cylinders will significantly reduce my brake and spring maintenance. Can't comment how well the galv springs will last yet, but am quite sure that they will be better, even if not completely maintenance free. Ask me agin in a couple of years and I will have a bit more info to share.

Aliboy, where are you getting them from? The real reason they aren't hot dip galvanized is that would be heat treating the steel... This would change how the springs 'spring'. I would be reluctant to buy hot dipped galv springs beware....... Cold galv perhaps, but that is only as good as the wayit is adhered. Unless the steel has been pickled (done in acid bath before galvanizing, chrome plating or oiled if it is to be used in stamping) it has a coat of carbon. The carbon comes off eventually taking all the coatings you put on it with it.

[Aliboy]

Afishinado - I am in New Zealand so not much help to you. I can't really comment too much on how well these springs will last yet. I put some on one trailer about 18 months ago and they have been fine, but haven't had a lot of use yet. I am doing another twin axle trailer this weekend that will get quite a bit of use so I will know more about how they last in heavy use 6 months from now. I haven't checked, but to me the springs look like they have been hot dipped, but I haven't seen any issues with the springs loosing tension. At least one of the major trailer manufacturers here tell me they are exclusively using galv springs now so I expect any problems would have become evident by now. There is also a company here that specialises in manufacturing trailer components (www.trojan.co.nz) and they have also started supplying galv springs recently. I suspect that someone has worked out a process for doing the galving without destroying the spring temper.

[rwidman]

EASTERNMARINE - 10/23/2007 3:18 PM

We have searched for alternatives for the painted springs. As stated above, galvanizing will not work. Greasing might keep the rust at bay but will leave an oil slick in the water when launching. This is illegal in some locales.
The best solution is to use something like CRC HD Corrosion Inhibitor yearly. Personally tried to paint my new springs with Pettit TrailerCoat but I still have some rust 2 yr later.
The rust starts between the leaves.

Have you researched these fiberglass springs?

http://flex-a-form.com/products.asp