Broke a leaf spring. Shop says I should instal bigger ones?

Yes bigger springs. My dad broke one on his escort trailer years ago and he always regretted not upgrading the springs AND wheel and tire capacity.

Looks like the OP had enough CCC. More than likely just a cheap Lippert spring breaking.

GVWR
UVW
CCC
Exterior Length
Exterior Height
Exterior Width
Fresh Water
Gray Water
Black Water
Awning Size
T2160

7504 lb.
504 lb.
4490 lb.
3014 lb.
24' 8"
10' 10"
96"
56 gal.
28 gal.
32 gal.
14'

muzzledan wrote:
Sounds like you have a weight problem. Take your rig to a public scale (found at many truck stops) and have it weighed. Make sure it’s loaded with all the gear you would have for a long trip. Compair this to the rating found on the manufacturer’s tag. It will be $15 well spent!!!

Um, it's sitting in a repair yard with a broken spring, how pray tell is he supposed to take it to a scale?!?

Sounds like you have a weight problem. Take your rig to a public scale (found at many truck stops) and have it weighed. Make sure it’s loaded with all the gear you would have for a long trip. Compair this to the rating found on the manufacturer’s tag. It will be $15 well spent!!!

I like to use the U-bolts that have a flattened surface where they contact the axle tubes. The round bolts can indent the thin tubing. Here is a photo: U-bolts

Good advice from Huntingdog above.

I've read you should never reuse u-bolts but I've seen it done.

One more thing; have the shop install bronze bushings in the springs so you can use "wet bolts", ie, bolts with zerk fitting so you can grease them. You'll probably find the stock plastic bushings are gone anyway. I installed the next size up U-Bolts (thicker) which required me to drill out the spring plates slightly.

I would also recommend a heavy duty equalizer and heavy duty (thicker) shackle links. Not much more money while your doing the work

Go to the Dexter Axle website and you can read all about this stuff.

Let me guess: It broke near the eye of the leaf spring, right? That's where they always break.

I have experience with this as nothing will stop you in your tracks like a broken leaf spring. Most leaf springs used on the lower and mid level trailers are $29 China junk.

Do yourself a big favor and get a custom set of springs made. Replace all 4! They should run about $80-$100 each but if made correctly, they will last forever.

If you do the work yourself you'll save 90% of the cost. None of it is rocket surgery and all the parts are dirt cheap. Fighting rusty fasteners and jacking things up and down is most of. Only the most basic tools are required. I guess you might want to outsource pressing in brass bushings if your new springs come with the cheap plastic ones.

kevink619.

Yes. Upgrade all leaf spring packs to their next size up. re: +1 up size. I would - without hesitation..

To validate +1 upgrade isn't too much, simply take trailer's GVWR, divide by 4 (assume 4 x wheel hubs) and round up to the nearest available size. If you load heavy and/or tow on bumpy roads, then round up +1 more - for extra safety buffer. This works for me.

When you have more dollars in future, then upgrade its other moving parts - like shackle plates, worn out bolts, etc. And if possible, upgrade to wet bolt system.

Hope this helps.