Trailer modification advice request

[dom14]

Hey Guys,

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.

[PeeBee]

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.

[Tip12345]

lets have a picture of the springs and the width of the springs

[Rossco]

Or just put in new spring packs with proper shackles for an upgrade. Try huntsman products they're pretty good, should do a kit. . .

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

[Ben-e-boy]

Max gross towing weight for a single axle unbreaked trailer is 750kg, unless engineered otherwise

[mudnut]

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.

[mudnut]

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.

[dom14]

Thanx for the replies guys. I'm just preparing the photos to upload.

[89gqpatrol4x4]

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.

[dom14]

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.

[dom14]

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.

I badly wanna know the details of what lead to it mate, so I can learn from it to avoid any disasters as much as I can.
Were you carrying lot of weight on the trailer than it could handle or the springs were simply old and worn out?
Or were in no mood to slow down for the speed bump and caused it? :)

[dom14]

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.

It most certainly ain't worth pouring any money mate. That's why I built the cage around it with scraps except the two gal wire meshes that I had to buy which I am already regretting 'cos those $35 3mm meshes are crap and weak. Probably more suitable as chicken coops. :) I would've been better if I kept welding the pieces of thin steel bars that I have to mesh the cage, and all in all, it would have looked lot nicer cosmetically and lot stronger as well. I didn't wanna spend any money on the old trailer anymore than that 'cos I've already poured enough to get hold of new welding gear and pouring new gear into a rusty old trailer doesn't make sense when I can buy a new one if I put all that money together. I just enjoyed the hobby project when it doesn't cost me and arm and leg and a kidney. :)

[dom14]

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.

Hey Phil,
I am not all that sure how to do that mate, but I will get some ideas by watching a guiding video or two.
Cheers

[the evil twin]

Rusted out trailer just means you can carry more payload 'cause the Tare is less :smiley_thumbs_up:

[PeeBee]

Hey Phil,
I am not all that sure how to do that mate, but I will get some ideas by watching a guiding video or two.
Cheers

Dom, if you pulled the spring pack off the axle there usually is a centre bolt that clamps the spring pack together. This centre bolt also locates the springs relative to the axle. Un-doing the bolt allows the leaves to separate. What you then do is insert a couple of springs/leaves into the spring pack, but their length must cascade or be between the length of the spring they are wedged between,(like steps) then, you clamp the spring set back , might need a longer centre bolt, and the fun then begins as you can easily locate one end of the spring eye, but the spring pack is now stiffer, so you have to jink around to get the other end in the pivoting spring mount on the trailer.

[Tip12345]

get some Mates around tip the bugger upside down !

[PeeBee]

Dom, have a look at this. I did look into a combo Coil over leaf spring setup for my 75 series troopy, and went and drove the demo vehicle set-up, very impressive, but what turned me away from it was the 6 leaf spring pack was reduced to 2 leaf springs and the coil was mounted over the axle. I was concerned about stress on the long leaves. I kid you not, this demo vehicle drove straight over gutters and roundabouts as if they were not there, but the question in my mind was for how long before the leaves broke.

Anyway, if you want to strengthen the leaf spring set, whack a couple of extra leaves in and thats it. Its a smash about trailer, not a rolls royce, so dont waste time trying to get the thing to ride like a helicopter. Attached is a sketch, you should be able to cobble something together. I think you are local to me, so if you want a hand on a weekend, PM me and we can get this sorted. Your springs just need to be the same width as what you have. Length doesn't matter as we can cut them dowm. The centre bolt is usually a HT unit, but really a gr 4.6 would do and you can hand grind the head as well.74355

[dom14]

get some Mates around tip the bugger upside down !

Absolutely! If I can tip the bastard over, I can do lot of good work on it.
I was toying with the idea of using a tree with some block and tackle or using an engine crane.
Now, couple of heavy muscled mates with enough cans of beer can also do the same thing. :D

[dom14]

Dom, have a look at this. I did look into a combo Coil over leaf spring setup for my 75 series troopy, and went and drove the demo vehicle set-up, very impressive, but what turned me away from it was the 6 leaf spring pack was reduced to 2 leaf springs and the coil was mounted over the axle. I was concerned about stress on the long leaves. I kid you not, this demo vehicle drove straight over gutters and roundabouts as if they were not there, but the question in my mind was for how long before the leaves broke.

Anyway, if you want to strengthen the leaf spring set, whack a couple of extra leaves in and thats it. Its a smash about trailer, not a rolls royce, so dont waste time trying to get the thing to ride like a helicopter. Attached is a sketch, you should be able to cobble something together. I think you are local to me, so if you want a hand on a weekend, PM me and we can get this sorted. Your springs just need to be the same width as what you have. Length doesn't matter as we can cut them dowm. The centre bolt is usually a HT unit, but really a gr 4.6 would do and you can hand grind the head as well.74355

Thanx heaps for the diagram mate. Now, I have some idea.
I'll have a crack at it and if get confused I'll give you a buzz.
I have your number somewhere here.
Cheers. :)

[BigJ]

Hey bud,

I'm in the similar boat to you, except I went a little out of the way and spent some money
- New LED lights
- Leaf over Axle conversion, make it sit higher and move level with the Patrol. Had to buy new U bolts the other ones snapped when I took them off.
- Repainted whole trailer.
- Added toolbox to the drawbar.


Next week, got an uncle helping me attach a canopy/roof tent on top, his gonna build me a steel cage to go over and just clip on, so it can be removed when not used.

[MB TD42]

Gday DOM...

Its got slipper springs mate you may have wear on top of the sliding section...Would be a bad move to load these up more than they are...they just grind right through your chassis rails (make sure you check em) Therea are trailer parts out there that will rate to 1200kgs that cost less than $200 for a full new kit.

If you go with just inserting leafs then make sure you reinforce the slipping section at the other end...if it wears through your gonna be up for more than a new spring ;)

I chopped a set off and old hilux chassis and retrofitted them over a few weekends... shocks and all :cheers:

[dom14]

Hey bud,

I'm in the similar boat to you, except I went a little out of the way and spent some money
- New LED lights
- Leaf over Axle conversion, make it sit higher and move level with the Patrol. Had to buy new U bolts the other ones snapped when I took them off.
- Repainted whole trailer.
- Added toolbox to the drawbar.


Next week, got an uncle helping me attach a canopy/roof tent on top, his gonna build me a steel cage to go over and just clip on, so it can be removed when not used.

Hey mate,

I bought few LED lights ages ago for the van, but never bothered to fit them, but will do soon.
I did the leaf over axle conversion for the van 'cos I didn't have a choice. It was way too low and the chassis was hitting the gutter between the curb and road when go over. That was years ago. The van has been bit bumpy ever since. It was more stable when lower, but there was always a risk of hitting something due to lack of ground clearance.

The old rust bucket trailer that I just moded to be a useful one has been way too much labour. It was a hobby project, otherwise all the time would have been a huge waste and loss I spent on it. Labour wise, it would've been cheaper to get the pieces of steel from a supplier and the trailer axle kit and build it from scratch, but restoring an old rust bucket does come with some aesthetic rewards for the mind. :)

Cllip on cage was out of question in my case 'cos I wanted it pretty high, and as high as it could go safely. So, mine is the highest 8x5 cage trailer I've ever seen and also strange looking with all the bits and pieces of scrap metal I used to build the cage. It is way too heavy and big to be able to put on and remove when necessary, so it had to be a fixed one.
Cost was minimal but the time spent was big.

Now, I had strengthened the floor and springs to be able to handle the weight I am planning to put on it on semi-regular basis.
I just noticed the trailer coupling is weak(some cracks) and too loose when coupled and makes way too much noise from the play.
I'm not too sure whether I can repair that(noise wise) so considering cutting it off and welding a brand new one.

I have a big tool box and yet to be added & yet to be sprayed. I haven't made up my mind which color, but thinking blue 'cos it
makes the highway cops happy for some reason. ;)

Trailer is so high, it won't fit into any typical garage, but I am happy with it 'cos I can fit lot of high and long crap into it. :)

Next project for me is to build a dual axle heavy duty larger trailer(without a cage to start with) and that will take some time. :)

[dom14]

Gday DOM...

Its got slipper springs mate you may have wear on top of the sliding section...Would be a bad move to load these up more than they are...they just grind right through your chassis rails (make sure you check em) Therea are trailer parts out there that will rate to 1200kgs that cost less than $200 for a full new kit.

If you go with just inserting leafs then make sure you reinforce the slipping section at the other end...if it wears through your gonna be up for more than a new spring ;)

I chopped a set off and old hilux chassis and retrofitted them over a few weekends... shocks and all :cheers:


I'm thinking ether by myself using block and tackle method or using couple of heavy muscled mates to flip over the trailer to the side and get a good close look, clean the spring and assess the condition closely. Then decide whether to put new heavy duty leaf spring kit if I feel it's worth it, and if not just slide in an extra leaf or two as Phil(@PeeBee)suggested. I'll see how I go and keep you guys updated with the 'massive' project. ;)

[dom14]

Hey bud,

I'm in the similar boat to you, except I went a little out of the way and spent some money
- New LED lights
- Leaf over Axle conversion, make it sit higher and move level with the Patrol. Had to buy new U bolts the other ones snapped when I took them off.
- Repainted whole trailer.
- Added toolbox to the drawbar.


Next week, got an uncle helping me attach a canopy/roof tent on top, his gonna build me a steel cage to go over and just clip on, so it can be removed when not used.


Hey mate,

Can you please PM me a photo of that canopy/roof tent thing on top the trailer? Or if ok, you can post it here as well.
I'll send you a PM as well.
Thanx
Cheers