Check those spring shackles

[37 chief]

Walking by my trailer, I noticed the fender sitting close to the tire, on the rear axle. After looking closer both shackle connecting straps broke out, on the front of the spring, leaving the spring disconnected, at the front. The rear bolt still holding the spring in place. If that rear spring mount broke loose from the frame, nothing would be holding the axle in place, on that side, that would be bad. On the walk around to check the tires before leaving the yard, I will be looking at the shackles. also. Stan

 

[Russ from MN]

Wow, good catch! Do trailers have to be inspected like motor vehicles? Might be a good idea! And it can't be blamed on Minnesota salt!

 

[560Dennis]

Thank you, I will check mine !

 

[rrlund]

Had something real similar last summer on my tri axle. I had a load of round bales on it. I was backing up to unload ind it started pushing real hard. I could see in the mirror that the center tire on one side was sliding. The tire was right up against the bottom of the bed and the front tire. I unloaded and jacked it up. The plate under the axle that the U bolts go through had rusted right out. I had to go get new U bolts and make a new plate.

 

[timcasbolt]

Here in Maryland you get your trailer inspected when you buy it or when you move in to the state. It's a rigorous inspection that leaves no stone unturned, but that's the last time an inspector ever sees it unless you choose to sell it. Puts the responsibility for maintenance on the owner. It often scares me to see what people are willing to drag down the road.

 

[jhwis]

Had something real similar last summer on my tri axle. I had a load of round bales on it. I was backing up to unload ind it started pushing real hard. I could see in the mirror that the center tire on one side was sliding. The tire was right up against the bottom of the bed and the front tire. I unloaded and jacked it up. The plate under the axle that the U bolts go through had rusted right out. I had to go get new U bolts and make a new plate.

I just replaced the u-bolts and retainers on my cattle hauler. Same thing....rotted out.

 

[KCTractors]

Walking by my trailer, I noticed the fender sitting close to the tire, on the rear axle. After looking closer both shackle connecting straps broke out, on the front of the spring, leaving the spring disconnected, at the front. The rear bolt still holding the spring in place. If that rear spring mount broke loose from the frame, nothing would be holding the axle in place, on that side, that would be bad. On the walk around to check the tires before leaving the yard, I will be looking at the shackles. also. Stan

Another one I seen are rusted-out tow-vehicle trailer hitch mounts.

 

[Brown David]

Wow, good catch! Do trailers have to be inspected like motor vehicles? Might be a good idea! And it can't be blamed on Minnesota salt!

They do here.

 

[paul]

Neighbor came over to pick up some firewood a couple years ago, walked around his trailer and was the same thing. Was a nice looking trailer not a beater farmer special. He was pretty surprised as was I.

Paul

 

[wh]

students built many trailers in class. Always stressed to them when installing the axles/shackles to always insert the bolt from under the trailer. Wanted the nut on the outside for a visual inspection in case one ever came loose or off. Built this one in 1992 for myself Was stolen in 2011 In 2021 saw it on road behind a pick up. Called sheriffs office with tag number of truck Had filed a report when it was stolen. 3 days later picked up trailer at office. Whoever stole it had cut off the side step rails and custom tool box i had made. Otherwise trailer good as ever. Evidently they had kept it in a shed.

 

[docmirror]

I was hauling a couple of garden tractors and heard the "BANG" behind me. I didn't hit anything, but decided to stop. The left side of the trailer appeared clearly lower than the right. Closer inspection showed one of the shackle bolts gone, and the round end of the spring just riding up in the channel of the perch arms. Hmmmm. That did not look good. The tire was barely off the fender with maybe an inch of clearance. I was lucky, having a small jack with me. No spare bolts. I jacked it up, lined up the spring loop with the two shackle arms and stuck a big screwdriver through there, and put a vice grip plier on it, then taped the plier to the arm.

When I started replacing the bolt, I noticed most of the rest of the hardware was toast. I ordered the whole bolt, nut, washer, and sleeve and did both axles. All new hardware, and now back tight made the trailer tow much straighter. Check your spring hardware with a walk-around, and use your foot to push sideways on the tail of the trailer while watching the fender to tire. If it moved back and forth, the spring hardware is gone.

 

[urbancase]

I was getting ready a few years ago back to take my 6 ton fertilizer spreader up to get a load, 18 miles one way. Saw a spring broke luckily I got a new one in 2 days. Lucky I saw it as that could have been bad coming home. Now I check stuff like that more often.

 

[casecollectorsc]

Noticed on my gooseneck last fall as I walked by that the shackle bolts are wore down to the size of a pencil...need to replace.