Leaf spring shackle angle?

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I have a trailer I am building for a guy I work with. I cut apart his old trailer and I am using some parts of the old trailer that look like junk, but its his trailer and its what he wants lol. I am familiar with how a trailer is put together. I used to build Flat deck highway trailers and logger trailers. I am at the stage where i have the trailer upside down and i have the front spring hangers located and squared off the center of the hitch. Now I would like to know what the angle of the shackles should be. I know i shouldnt have them too steep so they flip over forwards lol, or too low so that they bottom out. its an 8 foot long trailer and the hole centers on the springs are 25 1/4".  Any other info that is needed I will provide it. Thanks in advance!Nothing Ever Got Done By Quitting, Never Give Up.
Reply:I assume you mean the rear shackles?  No shackles on the front.  The springs are bolted directly to the hanger.  I build lots of small 5x10 trailers.  I put my shackles about 1 inch over center to the rear.  I have never had any problems.Esab Migmaster 250Lincoln SA 200Lincoln Ranger 8Smith Oxy Fuel setupEverlast PowerPlasma 80Everlast Power iMIG 160Everlast Power iMIG 205 Everlast Power iMIG 140EEverlast PowerARC 300Everlast PowerARC 140STEverlast PowerTIG 255EXT
Reply:There is a broad range of acceptable angle. Remember, you will have to compensate for the fact that the spring has not settled, and there is no load on it when you are upside down. So, with that said, and seeing the leafs are pretty short at 25 1/4" eye to eye, I would say about 25 degrees would be about right. If you give too much angle, the springs will "Come in" very soft, but like you said, you do run the risk of them bumping the frame. If you set them too steep, you will have a very stiff initial 1-2" of travel, and every bump in the road will shock the trailer.I have gone over this a hundred times in many different angles with our desert trucks, and quite a few boat trailers. Have fun with the build!!And then, after so much work...... you have it in your hand, and you look over to your side...... and the runner has run off. Leaving you holding the prize, wondering when the runner will return.
Reply:The rear spring hanger mounting bolt hole should be 25" from the center of your front mounting bolt hole. This will give you the recommended rearward slope to your shackles.The attached diagram comes from one of my axle suppliers, I've built over 600 trailers with this method. Attached ImagesI am what I am, Deal with it!If necessity is the Mother of Invention, I must be the Father of Desperation!
Reply:Originally Posted by Doug247I have a trailer I am building for a guy I work with. I cut apart his old trailer and I am using some parts of the old trailer that look like junk, but its his trailer and its what he wants lol. I am familiar with how a trailer is put together. I used to build Flat deck highway trailers and logger trailers. I am at the stage where i have the trailer upside down and i have the front spring hangers located and squared off the center of the hitch. Now I would like to know what the angle of the shackles should be. I know i shouldnt have them too steep so they flip over forwards lol, or too low so that they bottom out. its an 8 foot long trailer and the hole centers on the springs are 25 1/4".  Any other info that is needed I will provide it. Thanks in advance!
Reply:I've built a lot of trailers over the years.  I agree on the 1" off center (to the rear) with the shackles.I also agree with using new parts.  They aren't expensive, and could save lots of liability problems in the future.I get most of my trailer parts from Redneck Trailer Supplies.  Here's a link to them.http://http://www.redneck-trailer.com/
Reply:The only parts that are coming off the old trailer are the upper frame works that hold the ply wood for the sides and tail gate and the axle, the rest is all new parts. I want to post pics but i can not get a proper connection onto photobucket latley. stupid dial uip. thanks for the help guys ill take another look at it tomarrow.  Dabar39, what are the centers of the holes on the springs that you have used on your trailers?Nothing Ever Got Done By Quitting, Never Give Up.
Reply:You can post directly from your computer as long as it is sized right.Esab Migmaster 250Lincoln SA 200Lincoln Ranger 8Smith Oxy Fuel setupEverlast PowerPlasma 80Everlast Power iMIG 160Everlast Power iMIG 205 Everlast Power iMIG 140EEverlast PowerARC 300Everlast PowerARC 140STEverlast PowerTIG 255EXT