Rebound Springs for the Camper

**Redback** · 10th October 2008, 06:15 AM

OK all you leaf spring gurus, the springs are going too be Rebounds, my question is;

Is the length of the spring eye to eye that important, if the difference in length is only 20mm, I know this will change the position of the shackle, will this be bad, does the shackle need to be at a certain angle for the rebounds to work properly.

The other difference is the amount of leafs they have, the first rebounds are ALKO Outbacks 7 leaf 841mm in length at 1530kg or Industrial Springs offroad 9 leaf 860mm and 1500kg.
The current springs are Industrial Springs 860mm 7 leaf and 1250kg, for me i think these are too light.

Baz.

**cucinadio** · 10th October 2008, 07:43 AM

come on baz ......pic's

cheers

**Redback** · 20th October 2008, 04:36 PM

Guess there's no suspension experts on this forum for trailers

Baz.

**harlie** · 22nd October 2008, 09:14 AM

Hi Baz

It is preferable that the springs are replaced with one of the same length; this will keep the shackle (or hanger) as close to vertical as practical. If the length is changed by too much it is common for the hanger to fold up (back under spring if too long under load and large compression or align with spring if too short and no weight or while trailer bounces or in the air along bush track…) the latter will not recover and require some manual intervention with jacks and the like… I had that unpleasant experience with a large boat trailer, go over a speed bump and “crack” shackle and spring and aligned and not budging.

In saying that 20mm over 841 should not cause any problems but if it was me I would go the same manufacturer as all the current brackets are engineered to suit – alko leafs are 60*7mm cross section each. What size is the current leaf? – I would think they will be significantly smaller, that’s why there’s two extra leaf to give the same capacity - ALKO may not even fit you hangers…

**Redback** · 23rd October 2008, 08:14 AM

Hi Harlie, i was thinking along those lines, i thought that someone could confirm it but i i guess not, i went with the uprated 9 leaf of my original 7 leaf springs, mainly because they are the same length 860mm, but also because i felt the 7 leaf springs weren't up to the task, as my trailer is now around 1300kgs.

It's a lot taller from the original height and the tent doesn't touch the ground now, i'm hoping over time the springs will settle, but for now i'll just dig holes for the wheels to bring the height down when camping.

Baz.

**cucinadio** · 23rd October 2008, 08:26 AM

remember baz ..."it didnt happen without pics"

**Redback** · 23rd October 2008, 11:22 AM

Originally Posted by cucinadio

remember baz ..."it didnt happen without pics"

Yes i know, but i didn't think it was pic worthy, i only changed springs and besides i had such a bugger of a time removing the old springs, that was the last thing on my mind.

The old pins were non greasable AND i bent and broke 2 breaker bars trying to undo the U-Bolts

Baz.

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