Torsion axle or leaf springs?
Submitted by jng on Mon, 2013-09-16 09:49
Hi guys.
Still deciding whether to get a brand new trailer with torsion axle or standard leafs.
After peoples opinions on torsion axles. Pro's and cons and would you recommend it. Boat will be a 7.5m ally hardtop
I have been told they require less maintenance and the trailer rides lower allowing for a better tow.
Thanks in advance
Justin
carnarvonite
Posts: 8671
Date Joined: 24/07/07
Springs
Converted a boat trailer to posi torque axles years back, bot and trailer went approx 2 tonne so put on 1 tonne units on each corner.
Took a trip to Gnaraloo and had to replace 3 of the 4 up on the station, went bigger with 2 tonne on each corner and had to replace 2 in Carnarvon.
At least they came to the party when back in Perth by supplying new springs and axles to convert back to conventional set up.
Rob H
Posts: 5806
Date Joined: 18/01/12
its not actually legal to do
its not actually legal to do it that way John, if the axles are non load sharing, capacity must be 120% of GTM.
Give a man a mask, and he'll show you his true face...
The older you get the more you realize that no one has a f++king clue what they're doing.
Everyone's just winging it.
carnarvonite
Posts: 8671
Date Joined: 24/07/07
Initial axles
The first ones fitted were for 1 tonne each wheel not for the pair and again for the replacements 2 tonnes a wheel.
Rob H
Posts: 5806
Date Joined: 18/01/12
Must have been a heavy boat
Must have been a heavy boat or the suspension wouldve been like a billy cart!
Give a man a mask, and he'll show you his true face...
The older you get the more you realize that no one has a f++king clue what they're doing.
Everyone's just winging it.
carnarvonite
Posts: 8671
Date Joined: 24/07/07
Guardian
21 Foot Guardian with 307 chevy stern drive
Have to drive up that way to Red Bluff tomorrow to take welder and gear up to repair mates 7x5 trailer that has torn a spring hanger off.
The track claims another victim.
marble
Posts: 776
Date Joined: 03/09/09
Torsion axles for nearly five
Torsion axles for nearly five years now. Boat and trailer is 3.2 tonne plus. Never towed off road and never had a problem with them . Lower than springs, makes it easier and nicer to tow, fits in shed better, launches and retrieves better. Had 4 trailers with springs before this one and for highway use definitely wont be going springs ever again.
PMY 25 Centre Console DF300 Suzuki
Rob H
Posts: 5806
Date Joined: 18/01/12
I had a choice when I rebuilt
I had a choice when I rebuilt my trailer recently but ended up going with roller rockers.
I looked into it pretty deeply but I found some things I didnt like.
Part of the reason I didnt was that I had a set of 10" SS Kodiak slipovers and calipers and it was not possible to source torsion axles which would take these and legally give me over 3.2 tonne.
Plus side of torsions
-lighter weight, simpler setup, contributes to the chassis strength of the trailer as the axle becomes part of the structure.
Negatives
-as John said above-if one packs up in the middle of no where your screwed-Trojan and Transtyle were talking 8 weeks to supply a set of axles.
-The 120% rule meant I couldnt fit 10" Kodiaks on a set to get 3200kg
Once I had my roller rockers set up to go under though I saw how much weight is in these compared to Torsions and Id still consider going with them
They are used almost universally in the US and Europe with great success.
Give a man a mask, and he'll show you his true face...
The older you get the more you realize that no one has a f++king clue what they're doing.
Everyone's just winging it.
jng
Posts: 488
Date Joined: 03/08/07
Hi guys, thanks for the
Hi guys,
thanks for the feedback, might go for the springs just incase the torsion packs up while up north!
jng
Posts: 488
Date Joined: 03/08/07
Just put a deposit down for a
Just put a deposit down for a aluminium trailer from ace trailers, changed the torsions over to springs.
Vinesh87
Posts: 2751
Date Joined: 02/04/11
Deposits down ! Now the long
Deposits down ! Now the long wait !!
pale ale
Posts: 1755
Date Joined: 02/01/10
I bought an Ace trailer. It
I bought an Ace trailer. It was quite expensive, but is a fantastic trailer.
Only problem I found was a missing "U clamp"
With the torsion axle, the trailer sits so low to the ground, I scrape the kerb every time I leave the yard.
Are you getting skids or rollers? Ask if the skids can be made of aluminium instead of galv steel.
jng
Posts: 488
Date Joined: 03/08/07
Pale ale- it's got keel
Pale ale- it's got keel roller with side skids. With 3 "v" guides, guy told me Side skids has to be made from galv due structural purposes.
pale ale
Posts: 1755
Date Joined: 02/01/10
OK, same as mine. He is a
OK, same as mine. He is a good bloke, and the build is very tidy.
jng
Posts: 488
Date Joined: 03/08/07
That's right vinnie long
That's right vinnie long wait, hopefully be up and running by December.
Rob H
Posts: 5806
Date Joined: 18/01/12
Ive spoken to a couple of
Ive spoken to a couple of blokes that have Ace Trailers, well made but painfully slow
Give a man a mask, and he'll show you his true face...
The older you get the more you realize that no one has a f++king clue what they're doing.
Everyone's just winging it.
Dizzy
Posts: 753
Date Joined: 21/02/11
Have you been given the
Have you been given the option of parabolics vs standard multi-leaf leaf springs ?
Parabolics give a better ride with fewer individual leaves, fewer gaps, less maintenance, no binding.
The previous owner of my trailer converted to parabolics after he got sick of the multi-leaf maintenance and I rate them highly.
The only issue for me is the slightly wider gap between the axles, which makes tight reversing a little more difficult due to the bigger footprint - but I'm not sure if this the case with new trailers with parabolics or just my trailer due to the conversion.
I think Fisho Ron may have parabolics too, and was pretty cluey about them.
jng
Posts: 488
Date Joined: 03/08/07
Hey dizzy not exactly sure
Hey dizzy
not exactly sure if they are parabolic or standard. In the quote it states dual leaf spring suspension so I'm guessing it might be the parabolic type.
Dizzy
Posts: 753
Date Joined: 21/02/11
To me "Dual leaf suspension"
To me "Dual leaf suspension" would just indicate standard multi-leaf springs mounted to dual axles, but it'd pay to check.