Broken Trailer Spring

[RobS]

Thought I'd post this as a "watch out for" sort of thing...

Took our fifth wheel camper out a couple weekends ago and noticed it listing a bit in my rear view mirror. We only went to our local state park, not a long trip. Got backed in and noticed the two tires on the right side were rubbing. Can't have been doing that long as they would have disintegrated. Got set up and checked things out further. Turns out one of the springs broke! The rear spring on the right side broke a few inches ahead of the rear mount. I figure the tires only rubbed as I backed into the site.

Made a trip to find parts that weekend. Ended up at our local TSC and they sell trailer springs so I bought one. Went home to gather to tools. Did the replacement in the campground but it didn't seem quite right. Got us home anyway.

Checked things out further once home and determined the spring I got at TSC was two inches too long. I ordered all four replacements and wheel bearing seals online.

Tore into it today. The right side went ok, replaced both springs and repacked the bearings (I've done this before).

Got to the left side and found the rear axle shackles to the center equalizer are egged out and nearly worn through. Made a quick attempt to find some steel to make new ones but no one open on Sunday. I ended up ordering new shackles and bolts from the same place as the springs. I'll have to finish the job next weekend.

I guess my point in posting this is to check out your trailers. My camper has the same axles as my car hauler that I use to haul my tractor. A buddy tells me these are relatively common failures.

If anyone wants, I can take and post some pics of the failed parts. I thought about documenting the repair but my hands were so covered in grime that I couldn't think of touching my camera.

 

[Bird]

Yep, Rob, your buddy was right. It's not uncommon for the equaizers and shackles to wear, springs breaking is a little less common but not unusual, and getting the wrong springs is also not unusual. In May, 1990, my brother had a broken spring on his fifth-wheel, bought a new one and I helped him change it out, and then we started to Alaska and found he had the wrong spring; slightly too long. So we stopped in Grand Island, NE, and found a place with the right parts, and bought all new springs, shackles, equalizers, and bolts. I had a generator in my fifth-wheel, I had an electric impact wrench, and of course we both had bottle jacks, so we changed out all that stuff in an hour and a half.

 

[RobS]

After my experience, I can visualize your situation perfectly Bird! I'm just kind of surprised at the wear in so little miles. If this were an automobile, it would have worn out with less than 50K on the odometer. Rediculous, if you ask me.

 

[orezok]

If you think about the wear, this is not really surprising. Look at any truck that has a GVW of 10K to 12K and compare the spring sizes. Trailers are very marginally suspended.

 

[Bird]

I think the lack of shock absorbers may play a part, too. I know some travel trailers come with shocks, some without, and on some they are an optional accessory. And I can tell you from personal experience that shock absorbers are well worth the extra cost.

 

[Blk88GT]

I too have broken a leaf spring on my trailer, although an equipment trailer. I was grossly overloaded (13k on an 11k trailer) without working brakes (another story) and couldn't avoid a huge dip in the road with a set of railway tracks.

Long story short, I couldn't slow down enough by downshifting, and took the dip @ 25mph. The trailer bounced the front end of the truck off the ground and slammed itself down hard enough to break the leafs on both sides and leave the tires touching.

I now have brakes on all wheels, a good controller, two new leaf spring packs and I now tow with a 3/4 ton diesel. Overkill? Probably, but it's safer than the hooptie setup I had before.