I just got a harbor freight 48"X40" trailer and have a few questions. First, the springs seem far too stiff, and i believe I read that some people have removed one of the spring leafs to soften the ride. Does anyone have experience with this, and if so, which spring did you remove... the the bottom or middle leaf? Secondly, when i put the trailer together, I noticed that the axle is not straight. After some minor massaging in the garage, I was able to get one wheel straight, which the other probably has 1/2" of positive toe. should I get the axle replaced, or is this typical for this trailer?

Thanks in advance

 

This has been discussed else where in the forum. Have you searched? In my case I just use tire pressure to control the ride behavior of this trailer. My total weight with loaded trailer is about 500-600 lbs (trailer included). I use a tire pressure of 28 psi for the 12" wheels and it behaves well under most conditions including significant bumps. I have been running this way since 2004.

I have not heard anyone complain about a bent axle before. I know at least 10 people that have this trailer. Might be a good idea to return it if there is any hint of a safety concern.

I'll be checking the toe alignment with my toe plates now that you have mentioned it. Thanks.

 

My trailer definitely didn't have an axle that looked crooked or bent, although I didn't measure it or anything.

Once the trailer's loaded it actually rides just fine, especially if you lower the tire pressure some. I'm a bit afraid to remove a leaf because I've seen some people break the other leaf springs after doing this, and I'd rather have a little rougher ride than to have to worry about breaking a leaf spring.

 

Yes, I did do a search, but I couldn't find a satisfactory answer. I'm not a huge fan of using the tires as the primary trailer suspension when it's got leaf springs! Not sure how I will handle this at this point, got to give it some more thought.

As for the axle, I'm not sure if it's just me being OCD. The axle is not visibly bent, but I carefully assembled the trailer, making it as true a possible, and when I mounted the axle I noted that it did not fit square on the frame... One side was a full inch further back. On future inspection, I noted that the holes in the axle made to receive the leaf springs were not symmetrical. So, I took sone measurements, redrilled them and got it as true as possible without actually bending the axle true... And this is where it stands now.. One side is true and straight an the other has the toe noted above... This may not matter, and might only cause the tires to wear faster, but I want to take care of it now if I can.

 

I never realy loaded mine up I just had a set of tires and minor tools on it so maybe 100-150lbs weight.
It would bounce like crazy over bumps! I pulled out one of the leafs it was either the largest or the smallest.. it still bounced but not as much.
If I had to do it again I say remove the leaf thats gonna decrease the spring the most.

I never noticed anything with my axle so maybe yours is bent

 

I removed the extra leafs on mine. It had a main leaf with two shorter load leafs. I removed the load leafs. Did this when I first built it in 2004 and have not had any issues with it. You can actually see the trailer moving on the springs instead of bouncing and skipping behind the car. I also greased the main leaf where it rides on the frame every time I greased the hubs.