What do shackles do on a trailer?
The force from the bumps in the road not only pushes up on the suspension but it also pushes the axle to the rear of the trailer. Having the shackle in the rear allows that rearward shock get absorbed better as it allow for slight movement rearward.
How do you measure trailer shackles?
Looking at one of your current equalizers, you will want to measure from the center of the front hole to the center of the rear hole. Then measure from the center of the top hole down to the center line between the two lower holes.
Why do trailer shackles break?
One of the most common causes for shackle straps to break is over-tightening of the shackle bolts. If the shackle bolts are too tight, the shackle straps are not able to move with the suspension. This causes binding and it can bend or even brake the shackle straps, bolts and hangers.
How long should trailer shackles be?
You want to go with the shackle length that allows the spring to sit as level as possible. The most popular size is 2-1/4 inches like the part # TRSL225.
How tight should trailer shackles be?
How Tight Should Trailer Suspension Shackle Bolts Be Tightened We recommend that shackle bolts be tightened fully, then backed off slightly to allow free movement. For the distance between the center of the axles 30 inches is the recommended distance to use with a 26 inch long leaf spring similar to the…
What is the best shackle angle?
From the research I have done, at full drop the shackle should not go past 90 degrees (to avoid inverting) and at ride height I should aim for roughly 50 to 60 degrees.
How do I get more clearance on my trailer?
One common way to lift your trailer is by “flipping” your axles. Flipping your axles just means moving your suspension from below the axle (standard, “underslung” springs) to above the axle (“overslung” springs) in order to create more clearance between the underside of the trailer and the road.