Trailer spring measurements
Posted: Tue Sep 01, 2009 12:14 pm
I moved both axles back around 4 inches today to improve the weight distribution while towing. Boat and trailer weigh about 6500 pounds in total and there is about 420 pounds on the tongue, leaving around 6100 pounds on the tires. The tongue weight should be at least 550 pounds, and with the axles moved back and all 4 sails stored as far forward as possible, I should be a little higher than that now.
I measured everything carefully before I did the job but I don't like the geometry of the setup now. The one measurement I need to check this is the distance between the 3 spring perch tabs. The outer spring perch tabs are fixed on a sliding plate and the middle one is adjustable. I assumed the spacing was the same, not sure about that now.
If anyone has his empty trailer handy, could you measure the distance from the vertical tab hanging down from the frame holding the forward spring eye to the vertical tab in the middle (that holds the swing lever holding both spring eyes. I need the inside distance between these two tabs, and then the inside distance between that middle tab and the back tab holding the back spring eye. I set it up with 26 1/2 inches between tab 1 and tab2, and the same between tab 2 and tab 3.
Addendum -
PROBLEM FIXED. But I am curious if the two springs have the same length on their respective brackets.
I measured everything carefully before I did the job but I don't like the geometry of the setup now. The one measurement I need to check this is the distance between the 3 spring perch tabs. The outer spring perch tabs are fixed on a sliding plate and the middle one is adjustable. I assumed the spacing was the same, not sure about that now.
If anyone has his empty trailer handy, could you measure the distance from the vertical tab hanging down from the frame holding the forward spring eye to the vertical tab in the middle (that holds the swing lever holding both spring eyes. I need the inside distance between these two tabs, and then the inside distance between that middle tab and the back tab holding the back spring eye. I set it up with 26 1/2 inches between tab 1 and tab2, and the same between tab 2 and tab 3.
Addendum -
PROBLEM FIXED. But I am curious if the two springs have the same length on their respective brackets.