Leaf spring thought-

[StormRider]

http://www.sdtrucksprings.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=7559

I'm thinking at about twice the length of standard trailer leaf springs, you should get a lot smoother ride. Thoughts anyone?

[schaney]

Yes automotive grade springs are dramatically better than trailer springs. Take a trailer spring, stand on it, jump up and down on it, it doesn't move. Now do the same with the Jeep YJ springs I like to use for off-pavement trailers setups, they travel a couple of inches.

[Arne]

True, those little trailers are cheap for a reason...

[eamarquardt]

I'm not entirely convinced that the lenght of the springs is that important. A longer spring might be a bit more gradual in it's load to deflection curve. What seems more important is that the proper capacity springs are used. If you use springs that are rated for 6,000 pounds on a 2000 pound trailer it's gonna ride rough. A long spring and a short spring rated for the same load should flex about the same amount under the same load, except at the limits of their capacity, giving approximately the same ride. I THINK.

There you have it again, the world according to Gus. You, of course, are free to disagree.

Cheers,

Gus

[StormRider]

Yes automotive grade springs are dramatically better than trailer springs. Take a trailer spring, stand on it, jump up and down on it, it doesn't move. Now do the same with the Jeep YJ springs I like to use for off-pavement trailers setups, they travel a couple of inches.

from the pic it looks like you've got 2 springs in that pack? Is that a stock spring height?

[schaney]

Stormride, I start with 5 leaf rear springs and tune them based on planned GVW. The frame above has three leafs for a 1000 lb GVW.

Normally the longer spring, the greater the range of motion it has for the same load carrying capability. A longer spring can respond (flex) to smaller input signals (bumps). As noted above, the longer spring starts to move (absorb bumps) with loss weight pushing on it. This makes for a smoother ride.

As with everything, only you know what's "Good Enough" for your situation.

[Colemancooler]

a changed out my rear truck leaf springs with some significantly longer ones, and it handles much better now, i didn't even realized it was handling bad until i changed them

[Socal Tom]

There are several key differences in good auto springs that make them ride smoother than normal trailer springs. First is that they generally use more springs, and wider springs to carry the same load. The length is also important, but in addition you have to look at the shape of the spring. good springs are tapered at the end, and they often have teflon pads between the leafs to let them slide easier. Trailer springs are cut off straight and they usually don't have anything to help them slide. Trailer springs are built cheap, because thats what people usually shop for, cheap springs. Auto springs are built to ride smoother, because a smooth ride is important enough to invest a few extra dollars in.
Tom