older utility trailer bouncing

[cphines]

I bought a seemingly well built utility trailer that I found parked in the backyard of an elderly couple. It has a mobile home axle and leaf spring set up on it. The tires are worn out pretty fierce. One tire had been flat for about a year when I found my yard treasure. We aired it up and brought it home, but every time I use it, it is ok after about 15 mph and then at about 40 mph, it gets stupidly bouncy. After about 50mph it smooths back out. The trailer sits very high. So high infact that when attached to the pulling vehicle, it's tongue is lower than it's back. Someone told me this is why it bounces so badly. I feel that the reasons behind the bounce are 1) mobile home tires are shot and 2) the leaf spring is too "heavy" of a spring for the unloaded trailer. Does the angle of the trailer during pull effect the amount of bounce? MH tires are like $125 apiece...should I look into a non MH 3500lbs axle and 15" rims?

[gmoore]

Your right about the "mono trailer leaf spring" being too stiff for your empty trailer. You can retro fit RV springs to the mobile home axle and mounts.

Depending on age of the mobile home axle, you may be ahead getting a normal axle and springs. If the axles are over 20 years old (with the five on five and a half bolt pattern), you should have replaceable/serviceable wheel bearings. Newer axles don't. You can also use some Ford/IH wheels on it.

Good luck

[88beast]

id replace it with an 8 lug axle and run the same rims/tires as the truck and then mount a spare to the frame and then you have spares

[NickKent]

You might also try balancing the tires too.