Camper suspension

I would definately replace the slippers with eye to eye, there wouldn't be that much welding involved and if you hit it with the cold gal while the steel is still warm it will hold up nearly as well as hot dipped especially if you keep an eye on it.
The problem with slippers is that all the stress is concentrated in that front eye and they do eventually break.
I led an extended outback trip with six campers across to WA and return via the Gunbarrel, Anne Beadell and the Simpson years ago, one of the requirements was that all trailers had eye to eye, one didn't and it snapped the front eye in the middle of the Simpson. Fortunately a bit of bush engineering kept it going but it wouldn't of happened with eye to eye as the fore/aft load is spread across both ends of the spring.

Yep, I would go 7 Leaf Shackle Springs as a min. possibly 9 leaf depending on your weight.....One thing, make sure your spring hangers a re-enforced enough to take the bigger suspension. I have seen spring hangers peel away from the trailer, very messy.....

Yeah have to agree. Slipper springs don't really rate as offroad springs. Sounds like you had a good run though. I have 9 leaf long travel outback eye to eye spings and can't complain.

Hi Matt,

If you are contemplating slipper springs, I can send you some pics of a camper we owned a few years ago with slipper springs that lost springs axles and wheels at 80kph because they slipped out of the keepers (not a good look). Make sure you put eye to eye springs on and do the trip with a bit more confidence.

Thanks for the prompt answers guys. I think I'll be off to buy some new eye to eye off road springs. The Alco off road springs (couplemate .com.au) look like they have a large mounting plate with the pivots and may be the go I think.

Matt

7 leaf eye to eye with a rebound spring , take you any where you wish to go , can be repaired by any half decent bush mechanic and no need for shockies. Can of cold gal spray for the welds.

Get the springs best suited for the load your carrying, 6 is ok for light loads , maybe install some shockers too. eye to eye is best.

Would be good if you can get some Independant coils, like on our Trak Shak, or an Ultimate, and also on some of the better caravans, like Track Master ,,, best of the lot.
So far the camper has done Cape York, the Kimberley's, and Simpson before I purchased it from Pud & Barb ( members ), and the Boss & I have had it back along Innaminka and Walker's Crossing, Birdsville, the Plenty, and back down the Old Ghan, including Chambers Pillar..and countless other smaller Local trips.

Still going strong, although I have replaced the shockers only, and done a couple of mods, ie seals on the rear door, and put on Hi and low LED lights.
Think about it !
Coils are the go ,,, if you can !
Cheers Mate
Bucky