Trailer Spring Questions

My son's Hobie 16 has a Holsclaw trailer. It has a sticker near the front it states that it can carry 960 lbs. It was probably manufactured in the late '70's or early '80's.

We have purchased a replacement axle with hubs, and new wheels and tires. When we were preparing to paint one of the old springs, the little leaf on the bottom broke in half. It had rusted completely in half. I have a few questions about the springs.

Each of the springs for our trailer has three leaves. The springs are about 28 inches long and have a radius on the rear end of the upper leaf. We have been trying to find replacement springs like the existing springs, but it appears that current springs are made differently than the springs that we have. Does anyone know where to purchase springs exactly like the existing ones one on our trailer? Does anyone know the capacity of the springs? I suspect that they are 750 pounds each, based on similar springs that I have seen in catalogs and on the Internet, but they could be 500 lb. springs.

If I can't find exact replacement springs, I plan on getting the similar shorter springs that are about 24 inches long, and putting new "C" shaped clips on the rear end of the springs. I found some on the Internet that are bolt on, rather than weld on.

I'm open for any suggestions you might have on this issue of replacing the springs. On previous questions to this forum, I was told to do a good job rebuilding this trailer, because even if the collection of Hobie parts that we have doesn't yield a good boat, at least we will have the trailer to get a better one.

Thanks, Aldo

Zingaro mentioned good places to look for new springs. One thing to keep in mind is to not go crazy with extra payload capacity on the springs. If they are too stiff you might as well not have them on the trailer at all. 1000 lbs should be enough to handle an H16 and any other gear you will load onto the trailer. I have a 1000 lbs capacity for my H18.

Also, if I understood you correctly you were planning on welding the springs togeather? The only welding I have ever done on leaf spring suspension for a boat trailer is teh clips that attach to the frame. These clips are what you bolt the spring assemblies to. The springs need to eb able to flex and move with eachother. If you weld them togeather this will not happen. If you weld the springs to the frame the will not be able to pivot at thier ends.

I have found this to be the best online/catalog source for trailer parts:

http://www.northerntool.com

If you don't find anything there, look up your trailer manufacturer or another boat trailer manufacturer and contact them.

Good Luck!

_________________
Nick

Current Boat
In the market
Previous boats owned
'74 Pearson 30
'84 H16
'82 H18 Magnum
St. Louis, MO

Zingaro and Hobie Nick:

Thanks for your replies. I already looked at the places that Zingaro mentioned. I just wrote a message to a spring supplier with quite a few questions. I'm looking for drop-in replacement springs.

Nick: I appreciate your comment about not going "crazy with extra payload capacity on the springs. If they are too stiff you might as well not have them on the trailer at all." I asked the spring supplier's product specialist for 500 lb. springs, instead of the 700 lb. springs that they list on their chart.

I'm not planning on doing any welding on the springs, or the trailer for that matter.

Thanks again, Aldo

P.S.: I really wish all of this trailer work was completed during the winter, so that I could be asking Hobie Cat questions now, not trailer questions.

I know what you mean. I still haven't rerigged my boat this year or finihsed with my trailer upgrades. Been working way too much this spring. The worst part is there is actually wind on the Bay and I only get to see when I cross the Navy Academy bridge on my way to and from work

_________________
Nick

Current Boat
In the market
Previous boats owned
'74 Pearson 30
'84 H16
'82 H18 Magnum
St. Louis, MO