Do I NEED suspension on a boat trailer??

[gunner1]

I have a trailer that has both coil springs and shocks. Can't find replacement hubs that fit so I'm thinking about switching the axel to a plain one with no suspension. My boat is a 1967 Starcraft with a 50 HP outbpard. Is this doable?

 

[bassboy1]

Re: Do I NEED suspension on a boat trailer??

Doable: yes, but personally, I think a suspension cushions the ride better, and doesn't stress your boats as much.

 

[Kymasabe]

Re: Do I NEED suspension on a boat trailer??

I bought my boat recently, used, trailer was in pretty rough shape. The previous owner put new springs on but are the wrong length, shackles are pushed all the way back and the trailer essentially has no suspension, the springs can't move. I shakes the cr@p out of my boat on the road, everything ends up on the floor.

Do yourself (and your boat) a favor, put suspension on the trailer.

 

[_brad_]

Re: Do I NEED suspension on a boat trailer??

I bought my boat recently, used, trailer was in pretty rough shape. The previous owner put new springs on but are the wrong length, shackles are pushed all the way back and the trailer essentially has no suspension, the springs can't move. I shakes the cr@p out of my boat on the road, everything ends up on the floor.

Do yourself (and your boat) a favor, put suspension on the trailer.

Agreed.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Do I NEED suspension on a boat trailer??

leave the suspenion off on an aluminum boat, it will look like you took a sledge hammer to it. fiberglass will probably split open. buy a axle kit with leaf springs. get heavier than you really think you need. be sure to align the axle from the same spot on the tongue, to the same spot on each spindle. measurements must be the same, or it will not tow correctly, and eat your tires.

 

[PondTunes]

Re: Do I NEED suspension on a boat trailer??

What kind of trailer do you have? All the hardware you need to convert it to a set of leaf springs can be bought at a northern, tractor supply, redneck trailer. You'll need a set of springs, and a hanger kit. Most hanger kits come with the brackets for the springs, u-bolts for attaching the springs to the axles and bolts to attach the springs to the brackets. Most kits can be bolted in or welded in.

I think I had about $700.00 in my tandem setup with a pair of 3500 lb axles with brakes, wheels & tires and all the mounting hardware required to put them on. It could be done cheaper but I was building the trailer from scratch and figured if I was going to invest in anything it should be well equipped.

 

[jeeperman]

Re: Do I NEED suspension on a boat trailer??

You might consider replacing the old spindles with current industry standard spindles.
A good welding shop would cobble up a jig with your old axle.
Cut the old spindles off and weld the new spindles on in their exactly correct position via the jig.

 

[jaxnjil]

Re: Do I NEED suspension on a boat trailer??

yes; and will pull and be easier on you and your toe vehicle

 

[Nova II 260]

Re: Do I NEED suspension on a boat trailer??

Gunner, Have you considered a Torsion suspension Axle? Easy install not price to bad.

 

[wire2]

Re: Do I NEED suspension on a boat trailer??

Torsion suspension is neat, compact, but very stiff. I have a 600 lb pair on a small trailer for hauling dirt bikes, the fat tires offer more give than the axle.

Leaf springs offer a much more gentle ride, IMHO.

 

[jimmbo]

Re: Do I NEED suspension on a boat trailer??

I switched to a torsion axle, the difference is night and day. Better ride for the boat. Now that the wheels aren't on a common axle, less trailer bounce and side to side tilting when one wheel has to rais or lower.
A torsion axle will stiffen up and hardly move once it has exceeded its load capacity.