Hi everyone. I have a question about some traps.

What: My square-jaw, Duke #2, 4-coil traps.

Situation: In years' past I've noticed they were too-dang-strong. The 4-coils were just too much.

What I did: I welded on some rods for (outside) laminations. Small, I forget the diameter.

Then: I took off the two Small springs. So the traps only have now on them: the two large springs. Meaning: two springs per trap.

Recently: I got a tripped trap. No deer hair, so I don't know what did it.

Question: Since I have on the laminations now, should I put back the 4-coils or just keep trapping and see how many sprung traps I get with 2-coils?

Purpose: To be more humane, of course.

Thank you for your help in advance.

You are going to get many different answers. I have my bigger coil springs outside laminated and 4 coiled. My reason is to try and keep the trap levers from twisting. Of course they are stronger but with the lamination there is more surface which cause less damage. Plus I think more holding power.

I laminated some duke #2 with square stock which is probably heavier than your material and 2 coils is plenty strong for me. Those traps factory 4 coiled were way to strong for me and i run a lot of #3s 4 coiled. If your traps are the dogless ones that pan is too wide were it touches the levers and can hold the levers from closing all the way if the pan isnt all the way down. Its caused me some misses. Need to grind the width of the pan down some between the levers.

Stout little trap otherwise

Wonder how many people want to start trapping and listen to the tricked out trap tirade ending up with equipment that they can't or are afraid to use

Don't need the 4 coils to hold. You need the power more to break through crusty ground or heavy sticky clay

This. Lever height at lockup is what holds more than spring power.

You don't need the 4 coils.

Thank you everyone!

I’ve never had a need for four coils. I always just make sure I have strong main springs on my traps. I catch mostly red fox and occasionally coyotes. The red fox are not hard to hold at all and the few coyotes I catch are held just fine in my 1.75 Northwoods.

I did recently have all my number two Bridgers laminated. I’m replacing the coil springs on all of them. We will see how it goes, but I don’t think I’ll need four coils with them.

….. fur wheel drive and no lams here

I don't know that I would retool over 1 tripped trap, if they have otherwise been fine.

I have never seen a 4 coil trap that had light enough pan tension for me. For most reasons I have heard of the need for 4 coils - the pan still needs to go down before the jaws come up.

Same for me.Use what works for you

Never needed or used a four coil trap system. I have added some Taos springs on my older #3 soft catch victors years ago for live market work. All my main predator traps are 2 coil set ups. If a trap is truly frozen down, fours coils won't help you any.

4 coiled traps bed better.

Well now I've had two tripped traps of this new "removed the second set of springs" setup.

I only have out like 6 traps yet and two already tripped.

I might put back on the springs, since I laminated the traps.

Both deer "trip sticks" were not knocked over either, so it was two critters that tripped them.

Was the trap still sitting in the bed or at the end of the chain and out of the bed?

And was there any catch circle, even a faint one?

Its time to monitor a set or two with a trail camera

No, wrapped around a little bush tree. Trip stick above the trap (on a deer trail) completely-untouched (still standing).