Magic Tilt Trailer Broken Leaf Spring ?
 

So after my last outting I kinda noticed my trailer saging on one of the axles. But didnt pay no mind (my youthfulness still messing with me) yesterday I got under and took a peek to find that one of the leaf springs was snapped in two and the other ones are looking rusty as hell. Question is do I have order replacment springs from MagicTilt or can I just get some from like Northern Tools ?

When my old trailer needed to be rebuilt (Owen and Sons). I used a kit that had all the necessary hardware to replace the springs...got it from here
http://www.easternmarine.com/2200-lb...s-spk-2200-002
Northern tool would work if all you need is to replace springs but while you are at it might want to replace hardware etc with stainless or at least galvanized.
-Fred

Nice kit i like it, I was planing on doing a referb down there along with the springs. Thanks

Leaf spring replacement is a maintenance item on a trailer that will be used in salt water. You should have plenty of trailer shops in Dade, Broward, or PB counties. Find a good one close by, because you may need parts on short notice. There are lots of good deals on trailer parts online, but most of the parts are heavy or bulky and you may spend more on freight than you save on purchase price. Not always, though.

Some other things to think about:

Brakes - If you don't have them or they aren't working, a set of disk brakes is a good investment in safety. Drum brakes are less expensive, but are a mistake on a boat trailer IMHO.

Axles - If your axles aren't galvanized, you might as well change them when you do the springs, they won't be far behind. If you're not going with brakes, you should at least consider galvanized hubs.

I would suggest all stainless steel fasteners. If that's too much $$ for your budget, the minimum would be hot dip galvanized. The electro-galvanized bolts and nuts won't last and you'll be cutting them off next time you change your springs.

You can easily spend more money than your trailer is worth getting it up to snuff. But then you can trailer on long trips with safety and confidence. I once had a trip to hell pulling a tandem axle trailer that I thought was in ok shape. Since then, I don't take any chances on my trailers.
Dave

Ditto on what Dave says. Stainless bolts if possible, Kodiak SS brakes, etc.

There are plenty of locations to buy trailer hardware. If the frame is in great shape rebuild it. Lots of options as far as trailer parts companies, if you were closer to Tampa I could help you with parts selection in a minute.

Nothing to it, a 4 1/2" grinder with cut of wheels and the rusted parts are ready for the dump in 30 minutes. I've done five trailers and it's no big deal.

To get prices for comparison and information try these guys out. www.sturdybuiltonline.com They also have some of their stuff on eBay. Oh yeah....this is where I bought my SS brakes a few months ago.

Expediter.com, and a friend who doesn`t need his boat stands for a month or so.
I just broke a spring that isn`t even a year old. Replace the equalizer bar too. Bang head.

take the trailer to everything marine usa. they are off the palmetto and nw 58 st. they will look at it and sell you the parts you need. they will do the work if you want too. bring cash. price seems to be better like that. http://www.realxtrailers.com/

also whatever you do dont go to torino trailer. that is the biggest POS trailer ever. i had to replace all the hardware and set it up for my boat again after they did it for me. i did buy it new and it was still junk.

Stainless is fine for the ubolts, but you may need Grade 5 hardened bolts to mount the springs to the hangers & equalizers depending on the size/weight of your trailer.

I believe the bolts you are talking about are 9/16" for the larger trailers and I've only senn them in steel. They seem to rust at the same rate as the springs....go figure. So when the springs say hello to the cut off wheel, so do the bolts.

trailorparts.com is one you can try.

Thanks gents, it's really not a matter of being "in my budget" since my trailer only sees salt water I have to go and buy whatever is best for longevity. I got my W-2 from work today so hopfully I will get a nice return on my taxes and just go all out on the boat and trailer. So galvanized hubs you guys suggest ?

What are you guys doing on this fine saturday afternoon...... Me...... Me.... i'm busting some knuckles on my trailer repair.......

http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o...7/8ed974fa.jpg
http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o...7/d6bc3a87.jpg
http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o...7/4c9d29b6.jpg
http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o...7/1ede8df3.jpg
http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o...7/fef2cbb1.jpg

Cleaning the wheels for paint
http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o...7/9d91ce36.jpg

http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o...7/6621ad3a.jpg
http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o...7/fce7431f.jpg
http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o...7/52d5fb4a.jpg


ALmost done, tomorrow I will do the other side finish painting all the wheels re-run some new wiring for the lights and install my new front jack.... Im done for today gonna go eat some BBQ my old man made and drink me a 6 pack.

Looking good. Nothing instills confidence on the road like knowing you've covered the bases on your trailer maintenance.


Do yourself a favor on the wiring and run a ground wire all the way back to the lights. Before I started doing this, most of my trailer light wiring problems were due to a bad ground connection. It's definitely worth the effort.

Dave

nice job on the trailer rehab. did you put new axles in too? if i may add to blue herons trailer advice, definetly use the dedicated ground. i like to to use some 16/3 extension cord with the ends cut off. been going on 6 years with my lights mounted down low like you have. i like to use butt connectors without insulation and put my own adhesive heat shrink on top of that crimp. then i cover all 3 connections and the jacket of the extension cord with more adhesive heat shrink to keep salt water out of it. or move the lights up to the guide posts and never worry about it again.

X2......X3......Evan is so right on this one!!!

Finished !!!
http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o...7/507e07c8.jpg
http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o...7/8057da48.jpg
http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o...7/61c01b8b.jpg
http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o...7/4dded2db.jpg

Some sore hands and forarms later feels good knowing I dont have to worry about my trailer for a good while. Thanks for the wiring tips guys I will deff take them into consideration since i didnt finish up on the wiring today and tackle that next weekend