Improve Suspension

[Acky]

I customized a small utility trailer to transport my 58 pound Kayak.
The trailer is rated for 870 pounds. It has two-leaf slipper springs.
They supply no shock absorption at all. It becomes airborne going over the slightest bump.
I looked into rubber torsion axel units, but the lightest duty is 500 pounds.
I was told by the manufacturer that unless I add 500 pounds of cement blocks to the trailer, they would have no beneficial effect. (Can you picture that!)
Anyone know of any type of suspension mechanism that would improve my situation.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Improve Suspension

Even if you added shock absorbers they would do no good because there is no suspension flex because of the light load. Not much you can do other than slow down and/or let a little air out of the tires. With that light load they won't object. Just don't run tham at 1/2 the pressure stated on the side wall. If the sidewall says 50 PSI max, try 40. If it says 60 PSI max, try 50.

 

[Acky]

Re: Improve Suspension

Even if you added shock absorbers they would do no good because there is no suspension flex because of the light load. Not much you can do other than slow down and/or let a little air out of the tires. With that light load they won't object. Just don't run tham at 1/2 the pressure stated on the side wall. If the sidewall says 50 PSI max, try 40. If it says 60 PSI max, try 50.

Thanks for the reply. The sidewall says 60 lbs. , but I have been running them at 42 Lbs. I checked them after 50 miles, and they were only warm (in summer weather.) I still got a lot of jumping. I was afraid to let more air out even though I called a manufacturer of small aluminum Kayak trailers, and he said they recommend only 18 lbs. of air pressure for their trailers. (?)

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Improve Suspension

Ahhhhh - 18#?????? I don't think so if they are already warm at 42.

 

[Stachi]

Re: Improve Suspension

just a thought... if you reduce the amount of springs,(remove a leaf or more) and go with dual shock absorbers forward and aft of the axle, on each side...mounted to keep the axle perpendicular to the trailer frame and still support the load with adequate rise and fall, you may have the problem solved... shock absorbers are designed to keep the wheel on the road after hitting a bump, they compress when you hit the bump,and then push the axle back down .Springs just bounce up and down and probably add to your problem

 

[mattpyle]

Re: Improve Suspension

If you went with dual shocks on each side, use shocks that are made to be run as duals. Otherwise it's totally pointless and a waste of money. A single set of good shocks will be way better. Start with that and maybe mid 30's on the air pressure and see how that works. And ya taking out a leaf will help too....and with that light of a load it certainly won't cause any problems.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Improve Suspension

Adding any shocks will do absolutely no good since the springs are too strong to provide any suspension movement. We've already covered that.

 

[mattpyle]

Re: Improve Suspension

That's why I mentioned taking some leafs out.