Traveling last week and had a busted leaf spring. 4400# axle 2200# spring, right side front axle. Lippert stepped up and replaced both springs on the front axle. They paid all the freight, mobile tech to install and sent all the necessary parts to repair. No over loading was involved. I have a recent CAT ticket for 7800# GVW of the trailer. More than 1000# under the rated GVWR of 8950#.I wanted to go to 2500# or 2600# springs but Lippert would only replace same for same. I'm going to buy 4 new springs and I already have a wet bolt kit to install at the same time. So, what would happen if I just put two 2600# springs on the rear axle and left the new 2200# springs on the front axle? Any problem with that? I imagine there is. Next question, where do I find springs that aren't made in China?I don't intend to overload. I just want an extra margin of capacity. Kind of like replacing my load range D tires with Load range E.

I had broken springs on the rear axle last Oct. and replaced all 4 with the OEM spec rated springs; mine are 3,500 lbs axles. Got home OK but upon inspection this spring, I noted that the replacements had almost no arch in them. My conclusion after replacing them with heavier rated springs was that the springs did not live up to their rating? Chinese? I don't know. My trailer gross is 7,850 lbs and axle load at the scale was only 5,700 so the springs are not overloaded. I would not run the axles with different springs.

You can add a leaf to the pack, I've found that spring shops are pretty reasonable. My theory is that springs break when they snap back. Shocks prevent that.

Replaced my 1750 springs with 2250 on 3500 axles. Rides great no issues.The old springs went flat and caused alignment issues.Bought mine here:http://www.stengelbros.com/trailer/trailer-leaf-springs/About $200 shipped for the set of four.I would do them all. 2500 or 2600 should be fine IMO.

Good luck all springs are made in China that I've replaced two broken springs on the side of the road. Just upgraded to heavier springs,wet bolt system and Mor ryde

Thanks folks for the replies. Here's my choices.Trailer has 4400# axles and springs are 2200# 4 leaf.I can change to 2500# (5000 total) or 3000# (6000 total) 4 leaf springs. Which do you think would be better? I understand my capacity will remain at 4400# per axle regardless of spring choice. I was just concerned that the 3000# springs might be a little stiff and tend to shake up the trailer more than necessary. Any thoughts?

Busted Leaf Spring | Good Sam Community

hohenwald48
Explorer
Aug 19, 2016
I don't know if there is any such thing as "American steel" these days. If you read a few posts back you'll see a comment from someone regarding their purchase of "American" springs. About the same results as Chinese springs.

Made in America doesn't necessarily translate to superior quality anymore. Even Harley Davidson motorcycles have so little "American" manufactured content they can't put "Made in America" on them anymore.
time2roll
Nomad
Aug 19, 2016
phillyg wrote:
He went on to say we ship our steel scrap to the Chinese and they returned to us steel products that are not mfgrd. to American standards.

The American standard is low price no matter what the cost.
Lynnmor
Explorer
Aug 19, 2016
steve-n-vicki wrote:
I hope I don't break a spring . I have mono leafs

It usually the main ply that breaks on multiple ply springs, so the results are the same. Usually the break is at the end of the second ply because it creates a stress point. I have seen custom made springs that have the second ply extend to the end of the main ply thus eliminating the stress point.
steve-n-vicki
Explorer
Aug 19, 2016
I hope I don't break a spring . I have mono leafs
hohenwald48
Explorer
Aug 18, 2016
I went with the 2500# springs. Less than $100 (including shipping and tax) for all 4 from etrailer.com. I already have the Lippert shock type equalizer (stock on the trailer) and I have a heavy shakle kit and wet bolts that I'll install at the same time.

4-2500# springs gives me a total of 10,000# and the springs only have to carry 6800# of the trailer weight. That gives me a 3200# cushion. I think I'm comfortable with that. I figured any more than that and I would really start bouncing things around in the trailer.
Huntindog
Explorer
Aug 18, 2016
hohenwald48 wrote:
Thanks folks for the replies. Here's my choices.

Trailer has 4400# axles and springs are 2200# 4 leaf.

I can change to 2500# (5000 total) or 3000# (6000 total) 4 leaf springs. Which do you think would be better?

I understand my capacity will remain at 4400# per axle regardless of spring choice. I was just concerned that the 3000# springs might be a little stiff and tend to shake up the trailer more than necessary. Any thoughts?
I would go with the heavier springs and replace the equalizer with a shock absorbing type. Lippert makes one that I have called the Equaflex. Dexter makes a similar one.
My Equaflex works like magic smoothing out the ride. I read a lot of good reviews on the Dexter one as well. I would go with whichever one you get the best price on...
Do this and the TT will ride much better than it did with the stock weaker springs.
phillyg
Explorer II
Aug 18, 2016
Now, I'm going to make a rather broad statement here based on mostly anecdotal evidence. The guy who replaced my boat trailer springs told me not to expect to get more than three years out of the new pair in a salt water environment as they were Chinese steel, and if I opted for American steel, he could get springs from another source and they would last much longer but at much greater cost, and with a shipping delay.

He went on to say we ship our steel scrap to the Chinese and they returned to us steel products that are not mfgrd. to American standards. I've researched this a bit and I suspect he told the truth. So, does anyone here think RV mfgrs. are using Chinese or American steel on our RVs?
spike99
Explorer
Aug 18, 2016
Recommend: Replace all 4 x leaf spring packs to "+1 next size up". If one upgrades +2 sizes up, it can create too much stiffness. This stiffness is then passed to its leaf spring brackets and/or tires. For my many trailers (RV, boat, utility), I always +1 up size - when that suspension item wears out and/or needs breakage replacement. And when tires (rubber) needs replacement, do investigate their +1 size up as well. This works for me...

Remember: Many trailer factories build to "minimum" standards. Building higher than minimum costs dollars (which is profits from their pockets). Minimum standard = higher risk of broken parts. +1 up size and reduce the risk of breakage...
yankee_camper
Explorer
Aug 18, 2016
valhalla360 wrote:
Up sizing (not upgrading) by a little is probably fine. The problem if you up size drastically, is it will be like an empty 1 ton. The springs are supposed to give as you hit a bump. If you up size a lot, it will beat the trailer up.

Keep in mind when people say it rides fine...are they riding in the trailer?

I don't ride in the bed of my truck either but can sure tell if it's bouncing up and down empty or smooth under a load while driving down the road :h
Lynnmor
Explorer
Aug 18, 2016
The springs on my KZ were made by EMCO. American made and looked great, but one was off center, one sagged in a few thousand miles and one snapped in a few thousand more.

I replaced all with Redline springs from a agricultural supply shop.

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