Spring Size?

[huntingislife]

I am looking to retrofit my wheelhouse frame with suspension. Should I just use leaf springs to match my hub/spindles(3500 lbs)? I am thinking either a setup like ice castle or sportsmans has. It seems like the 3500 lb springs(pair) are much heavier than what I have seen used on other frames. I know some ice castles have the spring with a single leaf. The only spring like this I can find is 3000lb for the individual spring. Can this be the one they are using? So would it be best to go lighter, heavier, or 3500?

[eyebjim]

From what I understand they use the 3500lb axles on a much lighter trailer for stregth to keep the wheel system from bending outward. I don't think it is needed to have the 3500LB springs as this part is not what bends. If the house is quite large you may need them though.

[huntingislife]

So would it be best to buy springs to match the weight of the house?

[eyebjim]

I think you could use the 3000lb spring you mentioned if the house and your gear are less than 3000lbs. I'm not sure if you would want to go lower weight on the springs if the house is much lighter than 3000lbs. I should say I am not an expert by any means on this so maybe someone who has built one could chime in. I just remembered reading in one of the websites for wheel houses that they oversize the axle assemblies so that the frames dont bend.

[huntingislife]

The problem with the 3000 lb spring is that a pair of them would be 6000 lb. I am guessing I will be weighing in around 2000-2500 lbs.

[eyebjim]

Yea that sounds a bit heavy. It may be the same as if you had no spring.

[MNfan]

I put 1750 lb springs on mine that is plenty 1750 + 1750 = 3500.

Works good if you put to heavy on there is no sense using springs.

[huntingislife]

How much does your does weigh?