1991SN Trailer leaf springs issue

Brian, First, I feel that the 3500lb trailer is within the range of the load. I think you are over on the weight (I'd have to say the sprung weight of the trailer is closer to 500lbs.) of the trailer and also need to ask if you put any extra weight in the boat. If so, this isn't a good practice! Any ballast? A 1750lb ea. spring set shouldn't flatten out like that. Talk to the owner again. Ask him to double check the new springs for the rating. I don't recommend over springing the trailer.

Glad you found the site! Keep us informed on the out come.

Edit: 2340lb dry on the boat plus a full tank of gas (153lbs) plus 500lbs of sprung trailer weight comes out to just under 3000.

Thanks for the quick replies both of you. Look at page 10.8 of the 91 owners manual. It states that the boat itself is 2340 lbs. dry, and that the trailer single trailer is 1050 lbs. Surely the unsprung components, axle, hubs, wheels, and tires wouldn't account for 550 lbs. themselves could they ? When these pictures were taken, the gas tank was maybe half full, and there wasn't anything else but lifevests as far as gear goes...no ballast/fat sacks or anything else, hull was empty of water. ????

Chris has made a important point about the foam in the boat! You can easily have 400lbs of extra weight. On the 1050 figure on the trailer, I'd say you could deduct a couple hundred lbs. for tires, rims, axle and springs. Also, at the recommended 10% of the trailer weight on the tongue, that's another 300lb. deduction (I forgot about the weight on the tongue). What's the tongue weight? I still feel somethings up with those springs the trailer guy put on. Keep in mind that besides the nominal spring rate, it needs to carry the extra shock loading when going over bumps in the road.

Brian, do you have a truck scale in your area? You may want to pull it over it for a actual weight. It would be valuable info for the trailer guy!

Guys...again, great info...I never thought of the water in the foam. The boat had been sitting for nearly two weeks at home before I tugged it to the lake to put the new springs on. I put the boat in the water, tied up to the dock and started changing the springs...so I don't think the foam was soaked with water at all...all that should have drained out by then. I hadn't accounted for a few hundred pounds offloaded by the tongue either...so I'm guessing as such: 2340 dry boat weight, 100 lbs give or take for battery, oil, etc., 100 lbs of gear (high estimate), 100 lbs of fuel, say 850 lbs of trailer weight (1050 less axle, wheels, etc)...equals total of 3490 lbs.....less the tongue weight 200 lbs. (estimating since the fuel is in the very back and I've actually lifted the tongue before, and though it's very heavy, I don't think I can dead lift 300 lbs......total sprung weight 3190 lbs.....and that's high estimating, it's probably better than that in reality. So I'm in agreement with you guys...those springs couldn't possibly be rated to support 3500 lbs. as a pair !!!! I do have access to scales as I work for a freight line company, but I just don't feel comfortable driving that trailer with the boat on it down the road with those springs flattened out like they are. The trailer dealer has already told me that he can't take them back since they left his shop...says he'd be liable if he took them back since they've already been installed on something and weighted (again, I'm going to "discuss" this with him further since I was told that each spring could support 3500 a piece and the pair would hold 7000 lbs.) I put the springs on myself. But since I'm not likely going to get my money back (we'll see) on the set in the pictures, If I'm going to have to buy another pair, I HAVE to make absolutely sure I get what is necessary. I asked them if they felt that the axle was a 5000 lbs axle vs. 3500 simply due to the weight of the boat and trailer in the owner's manual...surely Correct Craft would not sell just enough to get by ?????? As far as the axle rating, he asked if it were a 5 or 6 lug wheel...well, it's 6...he said that it may be a 5000 lb axle then and could take the 5200 lb springs. That's why I was trying to find out if anyone KNEW the axle rating on these trailers. Right now I'm having to leave the boat/trailer at the lake (it's secure fortunately), but I don't like not being able to tote it around, and surely their has to be a solution, the original springs lasted at least 17 years without any issues, so there must be a correct formula....just what is it ??

find a spring dealer that's not full of crap that's the formula you need,

they grabbed the wrong springs. All you have to do is measure the arch, span between eye's, and load to get springs. It really sounds like you got took and messing around with all of this other stuff is a waste of time. Pull the springs off take them back and make them prove they are 3500 springs, they should have a load machine to test them. Hell go get another pair from another source and compare stiffness and flex rate of travel.

79nautique wrote: pete I don't know if I would go to all that trouble to know exactly what the weight is, because in reality they are going to load stuff in the boat while trailering so just get the next highest load rated springs and call it a day, it might bounce a little more if it is over sprung but then just load the boat instead of the car and the problems solved.

Chris, I'm only trying to make sure that the springs are the correct ones. I don't think Brian should go and just put the "next highest" springs on it. The rating of the springs he got and put on the trailer is still questionable.
I have actually re springed trailers with lower spring ratings because so many come from the factory with off the shelf generic springs and they ride like bricks!

Brian, Did your old set of springs have 4 leaves or 5 ? Take a look at this spec sheet. It may help. Note that 4 leaves come in 1750 and 2400 ea. and then a 5 leaves at 2900. leaf springs at etrailer

Brian, Chris is correct that the only way to get the water out once it's saturated the foam is to rip up the floor and take out the foam. BTW, that would be another very good reason to pull it over the truck scale! You'd know for sure what's up with the boat!

BFN....you have described my situation to a T !! I think I will check out South East Correct Craft and talk to them. Chris, Pete, I didn't realize the soaked foam inside the hull stayed that way, and nope..ha, I definitely have not had the floor opened up. But thanks for the headsup...I am interested in the exact weight, just now need to put on at least some springs that don't scare the crap out of me so I can get to a scale. Fantastic, Fantastic forum....I can't thank you guys enough for the dialogue and help !!

Southeast Correct Craft
7576 South Orange Avenue � Orlando, FL 32809
Phone: 407-851-1965 Fax: 407-240-0898

8122pbrainard wrote: 84 BFN wrote: Get your springs from a Correct Craft Dealer. Mark, I'm glad in todays economy that someone has plenty of extra money laying around!

Whether you buy them there or not that's the first place I'd call to find out what's supposed to be on the trailer for springs. If anyone will know it should be them.

FWIW, I believe CC used special sized/rated springs that are virtually impossible to find outside of a CC dealer. The issue is the number of leaves and the total length of the double eye spring. They are an odd animal.

You did the right thing by buying from Woody.