Load Sharing Slipper suspension
Submitted by bradz on Fri, 2018-01-19 15:40
As most of us know, slipper springs on tandem axle trailers are not load sharing. For those who like the single leaf parabolic springs this causes problems due to the spring capacity having to be effectively down-rated.
Well, I just saw that you can get a load sharing equalizer bar. Below is a picture of an offering from Trojan. Now I know most people will just say why not use eye to eye springs rather than slippers, but this just provides another option. I quite like the single leaf parabolic springs, and this set up will allow true load sharing with the simpicity of the parabolics.
Any of you engineering types have any feedback on this.
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I did then the best that I knew how. When I knew better, I did better.
ranmar850
Posts: 2702
Date Joined: 12/08/12
Interesting
I personally detest single leaf parabolics as they offer no fall back in the case of breakage. They snap through the locating pin hole, the axle is forced back, destroying it and everything in the path of the wheel on that side--tyre, guard, maybe more. it has happened to me. With double eye springs you have the wrap on the second to at least hold things roughly together until you wake up to the fact you've snapped a main. And you can drive for a long way on a snapped main in those circumstances.
Rob H
Posts: 5743
Date Joined: 18/01/12
It looks like itd work fine,
It looks like itd work fine, though the picture doesnt seem to show single leaf springs?
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bradz
Posts: 693
Date Joined: 29/10/07
Rob
That picture was just to demonstrate that it can be done for slippers.
Ranmar, your comment about the breakage would theoretically be for all slippers, not just single parabolics.
I did then the best that I knew how. When I knew better, I did better.
ranmar850
Posts: 2702
Date Joined: 12/08/12
yes, I didn't think I'd seen wraps on slippers
But at least with multi-leaf slippers, it may not be the main that breaks, giving youa chance to spot something was wrong. It happened to me coming out of Ningaloo one year, won't go into detail, I've talked about it on here before, but, what a f***g mess. A day and night I'd rather forget.
Dizzy
Posts: 753
Date Joined: 21/02/11
My tandem Trailit was modded
My tandem Trailit was modded by the previous owner pre-2011 with load sharing single leaf parabolic slippers. (rocker as above)
Tows very nicely, but axles are spaced quite widely @ 900mm c-c, so makes tight turns more difficult.
In those situations I tend not to look at them and just hope nothing goes bang
bradz
Posts: 693
Date Joined: 29/10/07
Cheers
Yeah, I thought that might be the case. I've decided to just get the roller rocker multi leaf suspension.
I did then the best that I knew how. When I knew better, I did better.