Trailer Spring Replacement

[stargzng386]

I’m just looking for some real life experience from anyone. I have a 2002 Kingston 2 horse bumper pull trailer that I love. The only downside is the original spring for the ramp is completely broken and the ramp is really really heavy for me. I can get it but it’s hard on my back and making me less inclined to trailer places. Finances are a concern this year I have some other large expenses I have to pay off.

I’ve called two places for quotes. One said they would replace the single spring $250. Very reasonable to me and if it would help worth it. I could swing this right now.

The other place said they won’t replace the old springs they said they found it doesn’t help that much. Their option is to do a completely new spring system for $550. Honestly out of my price range right now so I’d have to wait for an undetermined amount of time until I can afford it.

I’m just looking for anyone who has had these repairs done. Should I wait and do the more expensive full replacement or just replace the old spring now to get some relief?

[wsmoak]

Can you post a photo of what you’re trying to replace?

Is it this kind of spring? https://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Ramp-Springs/Redline/RS16933RH.html

(The springs are cheap, the extra cost is in having the right tools and knowing how to do it without anyone getting hurt!)

[stargzng386]

I can get a photo tomorrow when I go to the barn…it’s incredibly windy today so I’m skipping since I rode yesterday.

[clanter]

you might try an overhead door company (garage door repair) as a Spring is a spring and they are used to dealing with springs.

Once the weight of the ramp is determine or if they can see/compare the spring they should have gauges to measure the springs diameter/length and wire gauge they should be able to get a replacement

[stargzng386]

Good point, though I also need my inspection so it’s be nice to knock both out at once

[stargzng386]

Apparently it’s not a spring unless it’s missing. I’m going to email the trailer repair place Monday

[LCDR]

Does Kingston use a leaf spring for their loading ramps?

[stargzng386]

This is the only thing attached to the ramp aside from the ramp hinges there is nothing else.

[wsmoak]

How interesting… I don’t think I’ve ever seen a leaf spring used for a horse trailer ramp!

You can see the connection for it in the third picture on their site: https://www.kingstontrailers.com/product/the-classic-standard/

The good news is that leaf springs are much easier (safer) to work with. I’d get more information about what a “completely new spring system” is from the one place, (do they want to weld new connectors onto the trailer?) and confirm exactly what parts will be replaced by both places so you can compare.

Maybe the more expensive place is just ordering the whole kit from the manufacturer, and that’s where the upcharge is coming from, and it’s actually the same work.

In your photo, the parts of the spring are the horizontal bolt and bushings that attach it to that bracket on the trailer, the shackle (J-shaped bolts and the supporting plate in the middle) the leaf spring itself (the curved pieces of metal) and then the part we can’t see, where it must bolt to the trailer at the other end.

Not an expert on these however, my ramp had the coil type springs I linked to, and I’ve only seen leaf springs on axles (where they are similarly pretty easy to replace!)

[LCDR]

When you owned your overhead door company did y’all work on trailers?

I’m trying to imagine calling my local Overhead Door Company and asking them to sent someone out to replace my trailer ramp spring.

[LCDR]

I have learned something new today. I had never seen a ramp lift leaf spring used on a horse trailer. Here is a link to advice to another horse trailer owner of a different brand that also used a leaf spring.

https://www.etrailer.com/question-57235.html

[clanter]

we did, but the springs we replaced were coil springs, I see your photo shows a leaf spring those we did not.

My best guess is the builder used axle leaf springs, I have never seen a leaf spring used on a ramp

[house]

I think that you can simply ad some material between the spring plate and the spring and regain lift capacity, or add some washers to the ubolt, leaf springs like that rarely wear out. I would think that 250 is a lot to replace that spring, imho that is the best spring system you can have on a ramp.

looks like a trailer spring you can buy for $70
https://www.etrailer.com/p-SP-218275.html
I would think that an hour of labor to replace it at most, I would just cut the bolts and ubolt to replace them and be done in less that 30 min assuming your trailer shop has the parts in stock.

[stargzng386]

The quote from the shop was for a regular spring replacement before I took this picture. I’m going to email them a photo and see what they say.

[stargzng386]

Well that was interesting. I called the original shop that I’ve used before and texted him a picture and he quoted cost of the part plus an hour of labor $180. He also said to switch out the ramp mat for a lighter one which I was planning on doing anyways. Their original quote was $550 to install a completely new coil spring system.

I emailed the other shop that was originally cheaper for a standard spring replacement and their price went up to $300 for the leaf spring.

Based on this I went ahead and scheduled with the original shop, hopefully it helps!