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  #1  
Old 08-18-2003, 04:02 AM
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Location: So. Cal
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For horse trailer owners...and those who just feel like reading

Today I was doing a quick preflight on the horse trailer as I was getting ready to move it to hard ground so I could get it up on stands (new tires coming from Tirerack) when I noticed it was sitting a little funny. The tires on the rear axle were a little low on pressure so I felt that was the source of the peculiar angle.

Once I got the trailer up on stands (not an easy task for the uninitiated) I started pulling the wheels. When I got to the right rear I noticed I could almost move the whole assembly freely up and down. Thought to myself "great, now I need new bearings on the braking axle". Once I got the wheel off I found out how wrong I was.

The right rear leaf spring had broken. The main leaf broke about 6 inches from the eye, with the break conveniently hidden under the strap.

I've heard of broken springs on horse trailers before, never seen one though until today. Always assumed it was one of those things that happen to the trailers that spend plenty of time offroad. For those who don't know, horse urine is fairly caustic, causes lots of rust problems on steel trailers, but the springs are sort of protected.

Fortunately replacement springs are inexpensive on the net, only problem is that I haven't been able to locate the proper size yet. Finding the right dimensions and weight, but incorrect number of leaves. Will have to start making calls in the AM, that or just see if the spring shop about 30 miles south can replace just the broken leaf for less than the cost of new.

The springs are one of the yearly "check" items. For all you trailer owners out there if you haven't checked your springs, or had them checked, do it now. Pay attention to the way your trailer sits empty and loaded, and if it doesn't look right find out why. No sense killing yourself or your horses becasue of a broken spring.

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  #2  
Old 08-19-2003, 01:46 AM
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Quick update.

New Goodyear Marathons arrived today, all five rims are at the tirshop for mounting in the morning. Pulled the spring early this morning, before the heat set in, and started the hunt for a replacement. Found the reason I couldn't pinpoint an exact match on the net was due to the odd size. Seems to be a proprietary size (or an obsolete one) which translates into something somewhat more expensive.

The spring shop didn't have anything in stock that would fit, but for a mere $119 they were able to build me just what I needed. Rapid turn around time too. I dropped off my spring at 11:30 am, picked up the newly built replacement at 3:30 pm, they even threw in a pair of them $8 bolts to attach the spring. Tomorrow after work I'll pick up the tires and install the spring. Hopefully installation will be as easy as removal was.
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Mike Tangas
'73 280SEL 4.5 (9/72)- RIP
Only 8,173 units built from 5/71 thru 11/72

'02 CLK320 Cabriolet - wifey's mid-life crisis

2012 VW Jetta Sportwagon TDI...at least its a diesel

Non illegitemae carborundum.
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  #3  
Old 08-19-2003, 06:20 PM
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Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: SW Chicago Suburbs, IL
Posts: 306
I know this isn't along the topic of this thread, but I can't resist. I once was following a horse trailer down a country 2-lane that had two horses face-in toward the front of the trailer. Their rumps and tails were visible to those of us behind.

On the back of the trailer, there was a bumper sticker reading...

"Don't Be What You See" :p :p :p
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  #4  
Old 08-19-2003, 07:39 PM
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In Italy, they don't bother with trailers when you want to add a little horsepower to your Fiat! I'd hate to be the carwash guy having to muck out the backseat!

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  #5  
Old 08-19-2003, 09:34 PM
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Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: Miami, FL
Posts: 645
Defending against the ravages of horse pee

Do you think that a piece of aluminum or plastic above the new spring could be used to keep the horsepee off? Or perhaps coat them with that rubberized tool handle stuff?

Surely there is a way to cause the horsepee off of the springs and other metal parts.

I imagine that Pampers for horses are too expensive for all but the Derby winners...

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