how do you get the tongue height that you want

[colorado matt]

ok interesting that the link rnArmy posted there is only 1 5/8 inch difference in the measurement in question .... ranging from 3 inches to 4 5/8 ... thought it would be more .. and after some uneducated guessing at measurements 4 to 6 inches would be ideal .. 2 inches is a lot to take up with shackles is it not? ... if I understand a 2 inch longer shackle will gain me an inch in height ....maybe a 1 inch block ..... most likely be sprung over straight 3500lb axle ... still working on the springs haha .... how long can a shackle be before it gets to the point of "dude those shackles are way to long" .... for the scout its about 5 inches ...... now the lengths of the springs however range from 18 inches up to 30 (on that site) .... more research is telling me that shorter length will be stiffer .... now I am into the whole spring rate and max load for springs .... the closer the spring rate to the max load the stiffer the spring .... the further the spring rate from max load and the spring flexes more ... some say soft feel until loaded .... trailer spring specs seem to follow the first ... and vehicle springs lean more toward the second ... bump stops and shocks help the soft feel spectrum of the springs I am finding out ..... I have also read going toward the soft side is better than too stiff ... easier on trailer movement being transmitted to the tow vehicle and easier on the trailer ..... I have an old pick up bed trailer for my dump runs and picking up sand for the sandbox mulch etc ....off road camping trailer will be very specific in its use ... with that being said how much would you guys say does your consumption stuff weigh??? water gas food firewood ... is it enough to worry about .... does anyone ever say "my trailer is so much better at the beginning of the trip and bounces all over on the way home" ... even for a week could that stuff weigh more than 400 lbs ... 20 gallons of water ... 20 gallons of gas for the scout .... well that is just under 300 right there ... guess it adds up quick ... .. thanks for the shock mount u-bolt combo thing .... I had not planned on shocks but now looking at longer springs I think I need to plan ahead and find a way to add them .... there is sooooo much to think about .. I am going to bed .... Matt

 

[teotwaki]

Most trailer springs are 1.75" wide; same width as the old Jeep springs (CJ2A, 3A, 3B, early CJ5). They used spring U-bolt plates that had shock mounts built into them; makes it easy to put shocks on a little trailer (or at least have shock mounts on the axle).

Nice looking mounts! Good to keep in mind. My M416 style trailer was originally built with a Dexter tubular axle with a mild arch to it and has ProComp Jeep springs. The shock mounts were (poorly) welded on. I knocked one mount loose in Utah while on the White Rim Trail

PS: I would advise that offroad trailer tires have a good self-cleaning tread for muddy trail conditions. I had this problem with my previous tires

 

[rnArmy]

Why cut off the old spring perch ?
Would not leaving it still clearance axel ubolts ?

You could; as you said if you still had clearance for the axle bolts. Four reasons not to:
1. If you're a little OCD like me and think it would look sloppy
2. You're wanting/needing to reuse the old spring perch (cut it off neatly)
3. The old spring perch would interfere with putting on the new spring perch (i.e. the old spring perch covers more than 180-degrees of the axle's circumference). I guess you could trim some off to make it work.
4. You were using an old Jeep spring plate which has a built-in shock mount (as above).

 

[zimm17]

Hate to derail the thread, but is that a Ruger or AT trailer?

 

[teotwaki]

Hate to derail the thread, but is that a Ruger or AT trailer?

Neither. :elkgrin: It is a one-off from a defunct company in California that never got past building the first trailer. I've made a fair number of modifications over the last six years

http://suntothenorth.blogspot.com/2014/02/my-expedition-vehicle-trailer.html

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/47614-I-joined-the-Cult