ring trailor parts in o'conner.  They are the experts.

yeah would be the best place to go, or give men on boats a call they may also be able to help russ

thanks guys, just looking at the moment as the $ are tight at the moment, will look into it

I wrap my springs with Denso tape - available at hardware stores - pretty well stops corrosion problems.

Russ there are single leaf springs available now for boat trailers.  They take the same weight as the multi leafs but they dont rust as quick.  They are just as thick and taper down at the ends.  They are excellent.  Was supposed to get them for mine but the idiots ordered the wrong ones in and I coulcdn't wait any longer.

It should only cost you about $150 per axle.

I think by memory the 850mm single leaf (which is probably what you need)  takes a little over a tonne.  It was a while ago though.  They were pretty much the same price as the multi leafs and took the same weight.  I had 6 leaf springs and they were going to change over alright.  I 'm not sure if they did double eye singles or not because mine are slippers but it cant hurt to check.

  I did my single axle trailer with all new hangers, U-bolts, greasable pins and a pair of new springs for a bit over $200.  That 's Pilbara prices too, so I got slugged the manditory freight and inflated price.

Speak to the guys at trailer parts and they will know what is best.  If you go any where else they will just get the parts from them and charge you a bit more.  I got mine from coventrys and they still had the trailer parts sticker on them.

Hope this helps. 

make sure you get the greasable pins.  You can't ever have enough grease points. 

Russ , just been through the trailer project myself , got all my gear through trailer parts , Bayswater / occonor  great service , i originally had twin slippers with single solid leaf  springs and then i changed to twin counterlever springs .  i was advised to go multi leaf( galv) as they progressive rated where the single solid leaf are not. the singles will still carry the same load but just handle differently on the black top when towing, the single is lower maint and cost difference in springs was minimal, also check out difference in height in axle position when changing over as single spring 25 mm to multi leaf 80 mm thick if this creates new problem etc &  nylex nuts always

Russ, I echo everyone elses advice to see Trailer Parts.  They have everything in stock, give good advice, and in my experience, are very well priced.  They also carry a full range of boat trailer rollers, skids, wobble setups, roller pins etc.

If changing rims, I would go to galv steel over alloy.  I have alloys on a dual axle trailer, and the alloy is pitting under the bead of the tyre, causing slow leaks.  I have to pump up two of the four tyes every outing. 

Pete

You can always find a disused sherman tank, cut the top off and put some wobble rollers on it. Hey presto, the worlds toughest boat trailer.

If that buckles and breaks I'll eat my mask.

P.S. Trailer parts is bang on the money. And also aside from denso tape, you can get a bucket of bitumen based paint (from Bunnings) to coat your springs/leaves/entire undercarriage. Pretty well stops corrosions to the point where you will replace your U-bolt hangers before your springs even look like needing attention.

Do away with the alloy wheels Russ,using them in and out of wayer causes corrosion around the lip where the tyre sits and also when you back the trailer round a corner it put great stress on the spokes of the mag.After a while there is a good chance of them cracking.
Not sure which way to go with the springs,I like the single leaf but your boat is heavy and this could cause you even more problems.If you do go for multi leaf springs,take them apart[undo the centre bolt]lay them out and grease each one then reassemble in reverse order from taking them apart.

Russ, I also swear by Trailer Parts. Have just done up 2 trailers over the past 3 years and used them both times..... service and advise was excellent.

Have a look at their website http://www.trailerparts.net.au/ and go to either the catalogue or shop links for info.

Cheers,

David

thanks for all the info. it may also help others out that might be in the same situation or looking at upgrading

Trailer parts advised me against using denso tape because if you get one little bit of damage in it or it's not completely sealed (it probably wont be)it traps water in and rusts away and you never know until it falls apart, just go the extra few dollars and get galvanised multi leaf springs the difference in cost is minimal.