I just completed a 1,252 mile trip with no problems except for the last 528 yards.Turning onto my street yesterday I heard a loud BANG! when I got to my house I noticed that the leaf spring on the front axle broke. I guess I'm lucky it happed on my street a few houses away.Looking back I noticed the TT was slightly leaning to the side a few times I thought it was the road angle I guess the spring was getting weaker and starting to go.I obviously have to replace the broken leaf spring but I am thinking that I should replace all the leaf springs with heavier duty ones.Both axles are rated at 3500lbs The GVWR of the TT is 7500lbs (I guess the mfr figures the remaining 500lb difference between the two axles is for the hitch).I'm not sure what the springs should be rated at so I am going to remove the broken spring today and bring it to the local spring shop and see what they say.A few years ago I added the Dexter EZ Flex after a Shackle broke so I'm Good as far as that's concerned (including wet bolts).If I go with heavier springs is that a good idea and if so how much heavier, 500lbs or 25%Will heavier springs raise my trailer height?....That would be fine because my TT rides low to begin with, I don't want to do a axle flip.Does anyone else have any thoughts on this or experience with this?Thanks...Chris

I would think twice about going to a stiffer spring. It will ride stiffer and beat up the trailer more. Springs break, its just fact. We used to break one once in awhile on horse trlrs and it was always empty when it happened.

I had the same thing happen. Turned onto our street (off camber turn)and bang.I put on heavier capacity springs +500 lbs and the EZ-Flex all the way around. It raised the trailer about an inch from the old (sagging) springs.On the Dexter website you will find a graphic showing what measurements you need to provide for heavier springs. I got mine at a local trailer repair/supply shop. Dexter folks suggested getting them locally to save on shipping costs.

It looks like the two bottom leaves were already broken, they are rusty, and the two top ones are a fresh break. I have had many broken springs, it is just a fact of life. It seems like it is time to replace all the springs.

My thought is that either the spring steel used to make the leafs was bad to begin with or bad heat treating (too brittle), or a combo of the two. Unless its overloaded, I doubt the spring rating should have been an issue. But next size up would not hurt either.I agree though, replace both sides for peace of mind.

. If replacing 1 x set of leaf springs, its always best to replace both sets (on same axle) at same time. Unknown to some, not all leaf spring sets are the same. Using leaf spring set from company A and leaf spring set from company B on same axle will have different flex behaviour. Bad thing to have on same axle. Thus, best to buy matching leaf springs sets.For me, I always upgrade to next size up when my leaf spring packs need replacing. For example, if factory leaf sets are 3,200 lbs, I upgrade to 3,600 lbs sets. If leaf packs are 4,200 lbs, I upgrade to 4,600 lbs sets. Always next size up. Their extra buffer allows for those double rail-way tracks and end of driveway bumps. Is "next size up" that rougher? I've never noticed a difference. Especially since (IMO) most trailers are built within under sized leaf spring packs at factory (to save them build costs) anyway.If it was my trailer, I'd upgrade all 4 x sets and go "next size up". And to make smoother ride, I'd replace the factory solid Yoke system with new technology smooth rid system. Something like: - Click Here - or - click here - .

Broke Trailer Leaf Spring | Good Sam Community

sjturbo
Explorer
Sep 10, 2013
I have had springs break on two different trips! Not fun to be sure! As you have probably heard already replacing with heavier springs will likely shake every thing else harder. That may result in frame or interior structural damage.
Both times I replaced with the same spring type.
SC_camper
Explorer
Sep 10, 2013
Ive never had one break. How far can you drive with a broken spring to get off the road and somewhere to repair?
wrenchbender
Explorer
Sep 10, 2013
I can join the chorus, had the same problem. Replaced the axle and springs. Now I have a 3k TT and a 10k axle and spring setup.
Downwindtracke1
Explorer
Sep 10, 2013
My father always said ,"Springs snap on the bounce down." I think he was right. On a 1/2t Dodge, I broke a set, the '76s had a bad batch of springs. It was used empty on rough gravel roads, it also had the original worn out shocks. I broke two sets of springs on a 8' tent trailer, the last one were long #1750s,again no shocks, same type of roads.

Most of you will never do those kinds of roads, but I was glad when I saw our Outdoor RV had shocks.
NJ6PACK
Explorer
Sep 10, 2013
UPDATE!

Sorry for the long delay in getting back to this post...... I got back from vacation and have been busy with "life" since then

I ended up replacing all the springs and U bolts. After I removed the broken spring I noticed another spring was broken so all were replaced.

The local spring shop also recommended changing all the springs and going up to the next weight rating

Changing the springs was not the hard to do just time and suffering laying under your TT

I already had the wet bolt kit from the Dexter EZ Flex that I installed 2 years ago.

The spring shop was a big help, They showed me some tricks and how to do it step by step

I road tested the TT doing slow S turns in a parking lot and some highway driving and all seems good. The TT sits nice and level now.

If anyone need a good spring shop I would recommend R&H Spring in Wall twsp NJ they are next to Wall Speedway on Rt 34

Thanks again for every ones help and insight.
time2roll
Nomad
Aug 21, 2013
My springs were sagging and throwing off the alignment. I also have 3500 # axles and 7880 GVWR. Replaced the 1750# springs with 2250# and it rides better than ever. Did the wet bolt etc at the same time.

http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/26379263.cfm
Huntindog
Explorer
Aug 20, 2013
I had a spring break on my last TT. I upgraded one size. When I went to buy them, I found that my size wasn't a standard one and they had to be ordered. So after replacing them all, one of the takeoffs became a part of my emergency kit. I could just see my luck , breaking another spring in a remote area and no replacement to be had...
Never needed that old spring, but that was likely cause I had it.:B
69_Avion
Explorer
Aug 20, 2013
I would change all the springs out with quality 3,500# to 4,000# per axle springs. I wouldn't leave one of those spring sets on that trailer. Springs are cheap, but buy US made quality springs.
spike99
Explorer
Aug 20, 2013
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Just noticed you did previously install "Dexter EZ Flex" under your TT. I like their "smooth ride" technology product @ - Click Here -

If you only want to raise your trailer 3" instead of 5-6" from axle re-position, I would simply:
- Reposition the axle "under the leaf springs". Yes, this raises the chassis 5-6".
- See your above picture and its 6" or so distance from frame to existing shackle bolts. Simply drill new holes between this distance. This will lower the chassis 3". Thus, total raised trailer is now 3" higher.
- If drilling holes isn't your thing, simply take your trailer to any welding shop. They will easily drill the needed holes (in in leaf spring hanger) for you.

If this was my trailer and I only wanted to raise total of 3", I'd investigate this option.

Hope this helps.
spike99
Explorer
Aug 20, 2013
.

If replacing 1 x set of leaf springs, its always best to replace both sets (on same axle) at same time. Unknown to some, not all leaf spring sets are the same. Using leaf spring set from company A and leaf spring set from company B on same axle will have different flex behaviour. Bad thing to have on same axle. Thus, best to buy matching leaf springs sets.

For me, I always upgrade to next size up when my leaf spring packs need replacing. For example, if factory leaf sets are 3,200 lbs, I upgrade to 3,600 lbs sets. If leaf packs are 4,200 lbs, I upgrade to 4,600 lbs sets. Always next size up. Their extra buffer allows for those double rail-way tracks and end of driveway bumps. Is "next size up" that rougher? I've never noticed a difference. Especially since (IMO) most trailers are built within under sized leaf spring packs at factory (to save them build costs) anyway.

If it was my trailer, I'd upgrade all 4 x sets and go "next size up". And to make smoother ride, I'd replace the factory solid Yoke system with new technology smooth rid system.

Something like: - Click Here - or - click here -

.