All terrain trailer suspension, your choice

[Chucaro]

I am selling my home made "DoAll" trailer as soon as I come back from the Tasmanian trip and plan to build an all terrain compact trailer.
Which one will be the suspension of your choice?

A) Independent triling arm with coil springs and shocks (the cruisemaster)
b) Independent triling arm with air bag and shocks
C) Independent torsion suspension
D) Other

The trailer is going to use the same size wheels than the disco 234/75/16, electric brakes and cargo box of 1400 L x 1100 w x 800 H ( about 4'6" X 3'6" X 2'6") with a capacity for 1.500 Kg.

Cheers

 

[BiG BoB]

leaves, perhaps with shocks, just because its simple and easy

 

[ntsqd]

The trailer I'm towing has a rubber torsion axle under it, with shock absorbers. Others with far more experience have said this isn't a great axle for the rough, but so far I've no complaints though serious rough I've yet to pull it over.

Were I building from scratch it would depend on whether getting it done and moving to the next project was the goal. Then it'd be leaves & a live axle. If the trailer were a project that I wanted some specific things from then I'd be looking at various independent suspension designs.

 

[dieselcruiserhead]

Leaves are fine as long as they are long. If they are short or are "trailer supply" they bounce like crazy. Kurt William's trailer with long FJ55 leaf springs works very well at all speeds.

I continue to think a lot about it as well, I am considering probably air bags or coils as well, myself...

 

[ntsqd]

I've pondered using a single 1/4 elliptic leaf, mounted cross-ways ala a Model T. Would have to make the frame mount pivot parallel to the length of the spring (ala "Spring Rockers") as well as have shackles at each end. Wouldn't have to be at the far ends of the trailing arms so a short leaf could be made to work.
I do not like torsion bars because of their extreme rising rate. Makes for difficult damper tuning and the idea of the trailer needing by-passes is a bit abhorrent.

 

[Tucson T4R]

This is a shot of the independent coil spring set up on my King Kamper. So far it has worked very well through a wide range of speeds and terrain.

The coils have limit straps inside them with an exterior bump stop and Fox shocks.

 

[Chucaro]

This is a shot of the independent coil spring set up on my King Kamper. So far it has worked very well through a wide range of speeds and terrain.

The coils have limit straps inside them with an exterior bump stop and Fox shocks.

Thanks Brad, this is one of the suspension that I was referring in my questions. The same system is available here with air bags
With coils cost 1700 A$ and with air bags about A$ 2050 !
The other option is go leaf springs with shocks similar to the army trailers.
Cheers

 

[Robert Bills]

My general philosophy is to keep things simple, and to utilize parts in common with the tow rig so that "spares" can fit both tow rig and trailer.

That being said, I know absolutely nothing about the suspension on a Land Rover Discovery and couldn't say whether you could use any of the same parts in your design.

Just a thought.

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

Im not totally sold on air bags but it sure does make it nice in leveling your trailer.

 

[Chucaro]

Here are few camping trailers manufacturers that are using trailing arm suspension systems.
Other trailer manufacturers here are using solid axles with leaf springs and shocks believing that they are more reliable for the Australian conditions.

I believe that Adventure trailers are using similar system as well.
I sent an email to Trailer Parts in USA to see how much cost their Gaffa trailing arm system with coil or air bag.
For me paying over $ 1600 for a trailing arm system it is a bit to much.

Cheers

 

[Robert Bills]

There is a lot to be said for leaf springs and shocks. Simple design; inexpensive.

 

[Chucaro]

There is a lot to be said for leaf springs and shocks. Simple design; inexpensive.

I have to agree with you, if they used in the army trailers during the war they have to be reliable

 

[ckkone]

Not sure, but I have been collecting pics of trailer suspension:

 

[Chucaro]

Not sure, but I have been collecting pics of trailer suspension:

These are the examples that we are talking about.
The second from the top, leaf springs and shocks are the ones that were used on the army trailers. I am very tempted to use this system
The 3rd & 4th are the ones based on a trailing arm coil & shock which here cost about $ 1700 for the set. The air bag system is the one that cost close to $ 2000 (Australian Dollar) and I think it is what are used in the Adventure trailers.
The problem with this kit is that they are available for a 4' wide chassis (1200mm) and I was thinking in building a chassis about 3' wide.
back to the drawing board !?
Here in Oz is another system available which is a trailing arm and leaf spring combination. I have to make a bit more enquirers about them.
What I am looking for is for a good traveling in the suspension and reliability.
Cheers

 

[dieselcruiserhead]

excellent collection of pictures...