increase bounce with new axle

[gwestwood]

Had a new straight axle and springs and installed on my 1990 Bigfoot 17 foot. The good,I ended up with 4 more inches of clearance.The bad it bounces like crazy.I assume my hitch is sitting too low for the trailer and I need to make some adjustments.I'm guessing I need to raise the ball.Any insight would be appreciated.

[Mike Magee]

You don't want the trailer to be un-level, but I'm not inclined to think that the change will stop trailer bounce. It's just the nature of steel springs, I think. Shock absorbers will help, if they can be fitted.

[Wayne Collins]

Originally Posted by gwestwood

Had a new straight axle and springs and installed on my 1990 Bigfoot 17 foot. The good,I ended up with 4 more inches of clearance.The bad it bounces like crazy.I assume my hitch is sitting too low for the trailer and I need to make some adjustments.I'm guessing I need to raise the ball.Any insight would be appreciated.

Maybe your tire pressure is too high. you should be able to see a small amount of bulge at the bottom sidewalls.

[Jon in AZ]

I'm assuming the new springs are rated for the same weight as the old and/or appropriately rated for the actual weight of your trailer?

[Darral T.]

I'm in 100% agreement with Jon here! IF the springs are really over-rated for your trailer and there's NO give (no spring action), it's going to go to bounce city with no solution...not even shocks would/will help.

Originally Posted by Jon in AZ

I'm assuming the new springs are rated for the same weight as the old and appropriately rated for the actual weight of your trailer?

[pholloway]

I put shocks on my 17 ft. Casita, made a big difference

[gwestwood]

Work was done by a spring shop so I assumed they knew what they were doing.Is there a chance the springs need to Break in a bit?

[gwestwood]

Originally Posted by gwestwood

Work was done by a spring shop so I assumed they knew what they were doing.Is there a chance the springs need to Break in a bit?

Will mess with the hitch tonight as I doubt its sitting level

[Darral T.]

Go Pro camera mounted while doing a test drive...I would? Have someone walking inside and bounce and see if you see ANY give at all. Hopefully it will be as simple as shocks.

Originally Posted by gwestwood

Work was done by a spring shop so I assumed they knew what they were doing.Is there a chance the springs need to Break in a bit?

[Trill136]

I have replaced the original Trillium axle, because it was decades old, and torsion axles do deteriorate, so I am told.

I just automatically upgraded to a 3500# axle, since I do tend to travel "heavy"

These trailer bounce a bit anyway, so, I am hoping that I have not created a problem for myself. With the torsion axle, I don't think that shocks are a possibility.

[gwestwood]

I raised my my hitch and it is certainly way better.Must have been swaying quite a bit.Still bounces on bumps but recovers way quicker.With this talk of shocks and the bounce I do have, I'm thinking my next thing to do is add shocks

[Mike Magee]

Torsion axles have rubber inside them that provides some shock absorption. Switching to a spring axle with no shock absorption means you will see more bounce. No break-in period.

Others have mentioned about weight ratings. Let's say a person has a 2200 lb. trailer (loaded). A 2500 lb axle will give them a proper ride, but a 3500 lb axle (or springs) will have less give (more hard jarring) and a 5000 lb axle (or springs) will be even more harsh. Not knowing what your trailer weighs or what the shop installed, it's hard to know for sure where you're at. But assuming they matched the springs properly to the trailer weight, shocks should help quite a bit.