Why Not A Trailer With Coil Springs?

[cprince]

I have seen a number of people wanting a used trailer, but they specify "No coil springs".


Why?

We are talking about small trailers for 12 to 16ft boats.

I have an old 1950s Tee-Nee Trailer and it has coil springs and shocks. I like it. Is there an advantage to leaf springs over coil?

Thank you!

 

[Bondo]

Re: Why Not A Trailer With Coil Springs?

Ayuh,...

You have to locate the axle, Somehow,...

With Coils,... It takes linkages,+ shocks, etc...

With Leafs,... They do it all.... Cheaper,+ Much Simpler,....

 

[cprince]

Re: Why Not A Trailer With Coil Springs?

Should I be checking the linkage? I never looked closely at it. It kind of looks like a U joint... any grease points and or bushings that could be changed? I am going to change the shocks in the (Season of) spring, they are around $10 for the pair.

All things being equal... does one out perform the other in some way?

Thanks for the reply Bond-o!

Been meaning to tell you, every time I read a post from you and you through out one of your Ayuhs, I think of a Stephen King novel and a small town Maine sheriff. LOVE IT!

 

[reelfishin]

Re: Why Not A Trailer With Coil Springs?

Leaf springs last longer, less sag with age, they won't collapse completely if they fail, a broken coil is far more catastrophic than a broken leaf, provided that a main leaf don't break, and leaf springs are as mentioned above, simpler and also lighter in that they require fewer parts. There are also far more critical attachment points on a coil spring trailer which not only give more points of possible failure, add to the construction costs.

Coil springs and shocks can ride smoother and with the addition of shocks control the ride far better.

I've owned a few older TeeNee and Holsclaw trailers with coils, both were just fine for what they were built to do but when they got older, parts were hard to find and after a while it was just easier to find another trailer.

 

[jevery]

Re: Why Not A Trailer With Coil Springs?

Wonder how the torsion bar trailers fit in the mix. Simpler still? And why don't leaf or torsion systems need shocks? They they seem to somehow dampen the suspension motion well without.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Why Not A Trailer With Coil Springs?

Whether or not a suspension system needs shocks is determined by suspension travel. Leaf spring suspensions have very little travel compared to a coil. As the load increases, the spring does deflect, but as it does, it also must increase in length. A coil simply deflects vertically and the softer rate means the rebound will need to be controlled with a shock. Without them as you end up with a an oscillation that would very quickly wear out suspension parts. Torsion (rubber) suspensions also have limitations, especially in tandem or tri-axle configurations. While they don't need shocks, multi axle configurations need to be towed perfectly level and going over driveway/parking lot entrances and exits, or very rough terrain can overload the leading or trailing axle because there is no equalizer (the walking beam) like there is on a leaf spring tandem. Towed tongue high, the rear axle can be overloaded. Towed tongue low, the front axle could be overloaded. I've seen the front or back wheels off the ground when going over even slightly downward or upward slopes.

 

[reelfishin]

Re: Why Not A Trailer With Coil Springs?

Torsion axles ride the smoothest by far but I've seen a few problems with them when used in saltwater environments, the torsion spring is contained in a steel case and gets wet when launching and isn't easily flushed if able to be flushed at all. I've had several which have seized up due to internal rust.

Leaf springs also don't need shocks in most cases due to the natural dampening effect of the adjacent leaves. This friction controls rebound bounce quite well where as coil springs have no rebound friction and will bounce indefinitely without a shock absorber.
Most of the early coil spring trailers had very limited travel, my last Holsclaw had less than 3 inches of travel, mostly due to the shocks themselves.

 

[Seon]

Re: Why Not A Trailer With Coil Springs?

Torsion axles ride the smoothest by far but I've seen a few problems with them when used in saltwater environments, the torsion spring is contained in a steel case and gets wet when launching and isn't easily flushed if able to be flushed at all. I've had several which have seized up due to internal rust...

I thought of swapping the axles on my trailer from leaf to torsion but was concern about the water issues. But from what you wrote, its just saltwater not fresh water, that gave you problems?

 

[Genonbamagirl]

Re: Why Not A Trailer With Coil Springs?

More maintenance, More sag over time, higher chance of catastrophic damage with failure.

I have to say though - I had a 1954 Correct Craft Mahagony Skier with an off brand coil spring trailer that was the smoothest riding trailer I have ever seen - let alone owned.

 

[Genonbamagirl]

Re: Why Not A Trailer With Coil Springs?

I thought of swapping the axles on my trailer from leaf to torsion but was concern about the water issues. But from what you wrote, its just saltwater not fresh water, that gave you problems?

Torsion setups are not sealed and water is held in the tubes after submersion no matter what. If full of grease, this will not be a real issue but it is something that needs to taken into consideration.