Axle mounting on springs

You mean a spring over conversion.Quite common on leaf sprung vehicles but Im not sure its totally legal.

You can and many do.

I might be proved wrong - but no reason I would say. I made a boat trailer back quite a few years ago and made it this way, spring still works the same. Just have to watch your center of gravity, so you can not make it too much higher. You have to do a bit of modification to the center bolt as well. Wait to see what other say - there may be some rule. Regards Tony

My off road trailer is that way.
So is the OKA. That is the way it was built.

Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 Motorhome

Dunno about rules......................My trailer has springs over axle. I did the job....and it hasn't broken yet...surprise, surprise....lol

There is less weight on the "U" bolts that way as the axle is taking all the weight.

Some also do it that way because of spring travel with the load they are carrying.

It not only lifts the trailer height but allows more weight to be carried due to spring travel.

I was offered spoa by the manufacturer of my 8x4 tandem, measured up and it wasn't necessary but in this light I would say it's legal...

When you have the axle under the spring the weight is down on the axle and the centre pin. when you have the axle on top the weight is all on the u bolts,nuts and plate. this could be as much as 1-2 tonne as some people just keep piling it on. If you think about it its a lot of weight hanging on eight mild steel bolts. This is as simple as i can explain it.
cheers.shane.

Like the others have said.....it's the best way to have it set-up. I did my box trailer 6 months ago... no brakes on this trailer and it took me a couple of hours.

Too easy

Roachie

Easily and cheaply done at home with basic tools.
Just check that the centre bolt in the spring is not bottoming out in the hole in the spring pad which is welded to the axle.
If it is you will have to clamp the spring pack with a large G clamp and turn the bolt over so the head is back in the hole in the pad.
Don't be tempted to grin the excess thread off the end of the centre bolt as then you will find it nigh on impossible to start the nut if you ever have to disassemble the spring pack as even when clamped the springs are slightly apart requiring the extra length to start the nut.

As the other have said..of course you can do it...the only time it can become an engineering drama is when there are brakes fitted. This can alter the operation of the brakes (cable/hyd) and torque (brake) reaction of the axle.

Point to note is if you have bump stops fitted, make sure you adjust them to still contact the axle/spring at the original distance so they can do their job.
Otherwise to may find over compression and contact with wheel/axle/spring/guard etc with the trailer or wheel arch if you ever hit a large washout etc.

All the best

Matt.