I have an older Bison 2 horse trailer. I love it. Has a ramp with lift assist springs. However, it seems to be getting heavier over the years.
Has anyone added more springs to their trailer? Hubby can weld. I was thinking of something like this in addition to what I have now.
I just can’t imagine lifting it at 80 years old LOL! (I am a fit/healthy 66-plus years). Just planning ahead!
Thanks!
Over time springs lose their, well, spring! I’d first try replacing what’s on the ramp, even considering a stronger spring.
just looking at the photo the Springs appear to be common extension springs for overhead doors that use extension springs rather than a torsion assemblies.
As noted, yes overtime these weaken.
If you know the springs outer diameter, the length and wire gauge the weight capacity can be calculated from Spring Rate Charts by a commercial overhead door company
There does not appear to be any method to adjust the springs’ tension therefore if replaced the replacements must be of the correct strength.
My sweet husband tried replacing the springs on the ramp and it didn’t really make a difference.
What DID make a difference was replacing the matting on the ramp with something lighter. Cut the weight considerably, and I can now lift the ramp easily. (As a sorta fit 65 yo)
It was some kind of roofing material that he used, if your interested, I’ll get the details.
if the original springs did work and were replaced with the very same spring then the replacements should have worked, since they did not then there may be additional issues such as the ramps weight not being the original weight
Whatever has occurred if the total weight of the ramp can be determined a spring can made to work, but there maybe more to this than the spring. I assume there is an actual chart that the trailer manufacturer referred to when selecting the spring to use. This would take into account the mechanical advantage of the specific way the spring is installed at the factory.
More than once my company did specialized installations where we would be need to spring a wall used to hide something. We knew the specifics of the mechanical advantages of the torsion assemblies we used (drum size and such items) We would weigh the wall then have the spring made.
A properly installed system can be force neutral, acceptable is being within ten pounds of force.
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