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I own an old light weight single axle trailer I've modified to carry more weight, or rather increase volume by putting a high cage around it. It's still manoeuvrable by hand and not that heavy at all. Being an old sturdy axle, I can see it is capable of carrying some good weight, but unsure about the capacity of the leaf springs. I've put some heavy weights on it to the range of around 500kg or so, and the springs seems to handle ok and the ancient axle doesn't bent.
Rest of the structural parts were/are rusted and I've been slowly improving them by adding structural strengthening by adding more weld tags and cross bars etc. The floor & checker plate still need to be strengthened more to be able to carry something centrally heavy like an engine in the middle of the trailer, but it's doable.
My question is, Is there a way to improve the strength of the leaf springs by adding some kinda coil springs
salvaged from a small car or something???!!!
It is an idea that's been circulating in my head to add extra security to the old leaf springs.
Now I know, there are somethings called heavy duty leaf springs that may do the job, but probably won't justify for an old rusty trailer like mine. It's just a hobby project that I don't wanna thrown too much money into that I won't get back or also that I don't have atm.
Or is it possible to add another set of normal leaf springs set right next to existing ones to add more backup strength.
I should re-iterate I am kinda confident about the axle, 'cos it's a pretty bulky old solid thing that doen't bend with the extra weight that I've experimented with it so far, so I'm fairly confident the axle won't give way.
I'm not trying to muck around with it, but just trying to add bit more redundant strength to existing leaf springs, preferably cheaply.
Any ideas, thoughts, tips or warnings will be appreciated.
Last edited by dom14; 5th February 2018 at 07:11 PM.
DOM, both will work but I would simply get another leaf or two and insert into the existing spring pack you have. That will increase their deflection resistance, but the thing might bounce around a bit more - unsure by how much.
It sounds as if the trailer isn't worth pouring money into, Dom. A large crate under the engine you intend to transport should spread the weight sufficiently. I have used my old rusty 6x4 to carry some great loads.
It sounds as if the trailer isn't worth pouring money into, Dom. A large crate under the engine you intend to transport should spread the weight sufficiently. If you are still worried about the floor, maybe lay some timber under the crate too. I have used my old rusty 6x4 to carry some great loads from Bendigo to my place.
I think either idea will work, as you don’t want what happened to me on Friday.
Went over a speed bump in the shopping centre and the passenger side leaf completely snapped, axel walked out to a 45 deg angle before I stopped! A bit of fun to get it to a point where I could move it.
Here are the photos guys. It is bit rusty under the chequer plate and top side as well, but I wirebrushed all the rust off on the top side.
Some parts have holes on it but for the most part the chequer plate is pretty strong 'cos I've transported some heavy stuff on it for a while without any ill issues. I had to strengthen the drawbar connection to the chassis 'cos that was pretty weak and very badly designed and welded, which is mostly done now with couple more cross bars to be welded to add more strength to the middle of the chequer plate, particularly front end of it.
I would love to see the bottom of the chequer plate rust free and nicely painted with metal care paint I have, but there is no way i'm gonna go under it and wirebrush all that crap.
What I might do when I have time is to wirebrush the accessible parts of the spring leaves & wirebrush them to see how good they are or whether they need removing.
Last edited by dom14; 5th February 2018 at 07:00 PM.
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