Axle Options and Opinions

[SwampfoxSC]

I am gonna build a new frame for m416 clone tub I have. I have been running torsion axles on my boat trailers for years. And have had no issues at all. I like the simplicity and independent action. I really think having independent would be a huge plus off road more than on. My lid will be higher than most with a RTT. So keeping pitch and roll down is a must. All though a trailing arm with bags or rubber springs is probably the best. I don't like the extra weight. And the added complexity of design, fab, air bags, air lines and compressors. My trailer design is going to be very versatile and modular. I need to keep it simple and light. In searching for torsion axles I ran across the axles options. like these http://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Suspension/Timbren/A12WS545.html Anybody have any thoughts/experience on these off road? The extra ground clearance is a plus. And at this point I can build my frame around it. With a cross brace at the best location.

 

[Martyn]

You would be better off with either a standard leaf spring or a Timbren suspension. I can post up pictures of torsion axles that have failed, they are on my office computer, when they do fail there is no way to repair them and they have to be replaced. The ride quality of a torsion axle while fair on road is poor off road in comparison to a solid axle with a long leaf Spring. The Timbren suspension has replacement parts, off road it's stiff and much of the suspension needs to come from deflating the tires. Best to worst for off-road trailer axles, in my opinion, would be: Independent Trailing arm, leaf spring, Timbren, torsion.

 

[SwampfoxSC]

What about rubber springs on a trailing arm setup? This could be the better option. I wonder how a rubber spring would perform off road. Just don't want all the plumbing and hardware that goes with bags. I may just stick with a SOA setup.

 

[Martyn]

What about rubber springs on a trailing arm setup? This could be the better option. I wonder how a rubber spring would perform off road. Just don't want all the plumbing and hardware that goes with bags. I may just stick with a SOA setup.

Solid rubber spring are available. We tried them a few years ago but couldn't get the right unloaded and loaded ratings. I talked to the manufactures at SEMA and they seemed to think the product had come a long way and would now work. The big issue with trailers is the loaded weight can be 300% of the unloaded weight in comparison to 25 - 30% with a vehicle.

Trailing arms with coil over shocks and remote reservoirs work well. The coils need to be tensions for the load the trailer is carrying, so it takes some adjustment to get the sprigs to work as designed. We have experience major failures with this set up when the operator does not adjust the springs for heavy loads and runs the trailer over sever terrain for long periods of time. It's hard to compensate for operator error.