Boost Your Trailer's Performance: Discover the Benefits of Trailer Helper Springs
Let’s talk about trailer helper spring upgrades. They’re the same as helper springs for trucks.
They’re designed to boost your trailer’s performance. Even though there are many different kinds of spring upgrades, there’s only one that you should choose for your trailer suspension.
OEM trailer springs
Virtually all trailer manufacturers install leaf springs as part of the trailer suspension. A leaf spring is a simple form of spring commonly used for suspension in wheeled vehicles. Originally called a laminated or carriage spring, it is one of the oldest forms of vehicle suspension. A leaf spring is one or more narrow, arc-shaped, metal plates that are attached to the axle and the chassis in a way that allows the leaf spring to flex vertically in response to irregularities in the road surface. Lateral leaf springs are the most commonly used arrangement, running the length of the vehicle and mounted perpendicular to the wheel axle.
Whether leaf springs are installed on a truck, van, SUV, or trailer, they all have the same characteristic, namely: a linear spring rate. What is a linear spring rate?
Before we can answer that, let’s define “spring rate.” What does “spring rate” mean? Spring rate refers to the amount of weight it takes to compress a spring by one inch. In other words, a spring rated at 200 pound per inch will compress one inch under a 200 lb. load.
What is a linear spring rate? A linear-rated spring has one defined spring rate throughout its entire range of compression. For instance, for a 300 pound per inch linear-rated spring, each additional 300 pounds after the first will compress it one more inch, and so on, until the spring is fully compressed.
So, what’s the problem with linear-rated leaf springs? Leaf springs will sag, squat, and sometimes bottom out long before the vehicle – in this case, a trailer – has been fully loaded.
What’s the solution? Trailer helper springs are a quick and easy fix.
Why trailer helper springs?
Let’s assume that your trailer has a leaf spring suspension. A couple things could be happening:
- Trailer is leaning when loaded
- Too much sag & squat
- Dangerous roll & sway
Towing a trailer behind your vehicle (truck or SUV) is risky business. There is always a risk that you could end up in an accident if you’re not fully awake and able to drive carefully and cautiously.
If the trailer’s load isn’t balanced properly, you’ll be white knuckling it as you attempt to reach the speed limit for the road you’re driving down.
As long as there isn’t anything fundamentally wrong with the suspension, a set of helper springs can...
- Level the load
- Reduce any sag and squat
- Stabilize the trailer
- Smooth out the ride
- Reduce the risk of an accident
There are SES suspension helpers available through Timbren that will fit your trailer improving the ride quality and performance.
Best trailer springs for your trailer
Here is a list of some of the more popular spring helpers and how they can best help your trailer’s leaf-spring suspension:
- Steel helpers: Hellwig helper springs are supposed to sit on top of the leaf springs at the rear of your truck, working together with the existing suspension to keep the vehicle level under load. Hellwig helper springs are not easy to install as they require dismantling the entire suspension.
- Coil assist: Coil Design helper springs mount to the U-bolts in the center of the leaf spring and attach to the frame above. They’re not worth the investment as they don’t add more than a few hundred pounds of extra capacity.
- Airbag assist. Products like Air Lift and Ride Rite have been around for decades. Designed to sit between the frame and the leaf spring, they will improve the ride quality. However, these suspension helpers are expensive and fail to reduce roll and sway.
- Sumo Springs are made from microcellular polyurethane. They’re limited to use with lighter loads and will not work in extremely cold temperatures.
- Timbren SES Upgrades are made from natural rubber, designed to replace the bump stops on trucks, vans and SUVs. Easy-to-install SES upgrades do a lot more than just reduce sag and squat:
- They level your load
- They stabilize your vehicle
- They protect your suspension and other important components
- They increase safety by providing better control over your loaded truck
All of the helper springs listed above can help keep your trailer level while loaded. It’s really a question of stability. Do you load your trailer right to the gills? Does your trailer carry a heavy and constant load?
If so, the helper spring that will work best under all circumstances or weather conditions are Timbren SES suspension upgrades.
Timbren has over 50 years of experience in developing their SES upgrades. In fact, they are so confident in their product that they offer a no B.S. Lifetime Warranty and a 100-Day money back guarantee with every SES upgrade sold.
For more information on Timbren SES for trailers, visit Timbren.com.
