A good trailer suspension system is essential because if it has any weakness, a driver may experience some difficulty in controlling and steering the vehicle, as well as an increase in shock and tire wear. The trailer suspension parts that make up the system include torsion bars, springs, as well as other components that connect the wheels to the vehicle. Here are essential tips to consider when upgrading your trailers suspension system.

Safety and comfort

Apart from control and steering issues, using a weak suspension on a heavy trailer is unsafe and uncomfortable while driving and it can also lead to damaging of the trailer suspension parts. One sign of a weak suspension is if the trailer rides low. Thus when upgrading the trailer's suspension parts, you should first weigh the fully loaded trailer and compare the weight to the ratings provided by suspension parts manufacturer on various parts before making the investment. All trailers have a specified peak capacity referred to as the gross vehicle weight rating which includes the net weight of the trailer plus the accumulative weight of the passengers and accessories the trailer can carry safely.

Components

In addition to spring bars, other trailer suspension parts include shock absorbers, sway bars, etc. When upgrading the suspension system, it is essential to understand the purpose of each component so as get the most efficiency out of the new suspension system. The spring bars support the weight of the trailer, and they are responsible for the flexing function of the suspension system so that it can react to impacts such as speed bumps. Thus when installing new spring bars, it is essential to ensure that the stock ride height gets balanced on both sides of the trailer as well as the front and back. It is also important to refer to the spring ratings; measured in pounds per inch, because it will determine how far the loaded trailer will sink as well as how firm it will be when driving. If you wish to increase the weight capacity of the trailer, it is advisable to install spring bars with a higher rating.

Leaf springs

The leaf spring is a trailer suspension part that mostly gets used on the rear wheels; however, sometimes they are also employed on the front wheels for four-wheeled trailers. These springs are composed of several metal leaves bound together so as to work as a unit and thus the name leaf spring. If you want to get a smoother ride, there are after-market springs that can get attached to the already existing springs if the trailer rides low. Additionally, you can opt to replace the existing springs with heavier leaf springs to support a more massive load.