Shocks on a Torflex Axle

[Guitarsail1]

Ive scoured the web, and about the only thing I've found is a shock kit for Casista RV's. Its my opinion that even though I had my Dexter axle derated its still way too stiff for my trailer. Maybe stiff isn't the right word, the Torflex needs to have shocks. Theres nothing controlling the bounce. Has anyone mounted shocks onto a Torflex? I'd be shocked (no pun intended) if no one has done this.

 

[john61ct]

It's important to have the actual load close to the rating, certainly well over half, 75+% better.

Putting 1500# on a 5000# axle won't work well.

 

[mudraider]

I've always wondered about the 3500lb axle. Why so heavy? My understanding is the Toyota 6 lug doesn't come in a smaller axle size.....bearings/spindle size/gibberish etc, etc, etc. I'd think a 2,000 axle/springs should be more than sufficient. Is that another of those "over-engineered" things we frequently do?

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

 

[Guitarsail1]

That is correct. It is the Dexter #10 that i had them derate to 2500lbs which is as low as they will derate the #10 down to. Trailer is probably 1300lbs. Is what it is, I wanted the 2000lb axle, but 6lug and brakes.... now how do I dampen this sucker.

 

[ottsville]

I've always wondered about the 3500lb axle. Why so heavy? My understanding is the Toyota 6 lug doesn't come in a smaller axle size.....bearings/spindle size/gibberish etc, etc, etc. I'd think a 2,000 axle/springs should be more than sufficient. Is that another of those "over-engineered" things we frequently do?

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

The 3500lb axles generally have spindles that are more heavy duty, larger bearings, and either come with brakes or have the brake flanges already welded on depending on how you purchase your axle. On a leaf spring setup, it's no big deal to fit springs to your load.

 

[Guitarsail1]

The 3500lb axles generally have spindles that are more heavy duty, larger bearings, and either come with brakes or have the brake flanges already welded on depending on how you purchase your axle. On a leaf spring setup, it's no big deal to fit springs to your load.

Exaclty. Wanted the heavier hardware/brakes etc.

 

[john61ct]

With the Timbren axle-less, I've come across users that ordered a larger HD size, then found out the "air bag" from the lighter rating could be swapped in for when they didn't have such a heavy load.

Not true for all the line of course.

etrailer.com is a great CS resource, has a direct line to escalated tech support at the manufacturers.

 

[mudraider]

I've always wondered about the 3500lb axle. Why so heavy? My understanding is the Toyota 6 lug doesn't come in a smaller axle size.....bearings/spindle size/gibberish etc, etc, etc. I'd think a 2,000 axle/springs should be more than sufficient. Is that another of those "over-engineered" things we frequently do?

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

The 3500lb axles generally have spindles that are more heavy duty, larger bearings, and either come with brakes or have the brake flanges already welded on depending on how you purchase your axle. On a leaf spring setup, it's no big deal to fit springs to your load.

That makes total sense then. The axle is 3500lbs rated but you go 1500-2000lb springs. Gotcha.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

 

[Teardropper]

i had them derate to 2500lbs which is as low as they will derate the #10 down to. Trailer is probably 1300lbs.

Hate to sound negative but I since your trailer is bouncing from too-stiff of a suspension I fail to understand how shocks between the axle and the chassis will help. They'd help dampen the axle's flex but if it isn't moving up and down...

My 1500 lb rated Torflex rides like a dream under this 1400 pound trailer.

If you're not running radials, switching over would make a difference.

T

 

[Guitarsail1]

Hate to sound negative but I since your trailer is bouncing from too-stiff of a suspension I fail to understand how shocks between the axle and the chassis will help. They'd help dampen the axle's flex but if it isn't moving up and down...

My 1500 lb rated Torflex rides like a dream under this 1400 pound trailer.

If you're not running radials, switching over would make a difference.

T

No worries! Thats why I'm asking. The intiail bounce would of course be there, but a shock would dampen the continuing oscilation after the first bounce. I think the full on problem is the traile is just far too light for even the derated axle. I'm running the same 265/70's that I run on my truck...

 

[comptiger5000]

If the suspension is too stiff, there's a good chance the bounce is actually from the tires doing most of the squishing and not the suspension. Are you running the tires at sidewall max? If not, crank the pressure up a bit and see what happens. It'll likely ride stiffer but with less bounce. If that's the case, shocks won't help you, only a softer suspension will.

 

[Martyn]

Torsion axles are inherently bouncy. The rubber inserts just don’t seem capable of moving at the speed of the bumps. When we have used torsion axles we have them de-rated from 3500lbs to 2500lbs to help with the bounce, but the results are less than spectacular. The only way we have found to reduce the bounce is to run a load at the maximum rating of the axle, which isn’t always and option, and/or reduce the tire pressure to get some suspension from the tires. In our opinion torsion axles are best suited for on road expeditions due to two factors, the trailers bounce, and if an axle fails they can not be rebuilt.

 

[ScottReb]

As everyone else has stated appropriate weight ratings are the most important. With that set up correctly you can add shocks to a torsion axle. Schutt has been doing it and I believe they use the TorFlex axles.

 

[Martyn]

Shutt is using an axle that can have the rubber inserts replaced with softer or harder insert depending on your load. This demands taking the axle apart to do so, which I think is unlikely as the majority of owners don’t take the time to break their axles down to repack the bearings never mind replacing inserts. The second issue torsion axle owners face is the difference between unloaded and loaded mass, a loaded trailer can be 300% heavier than an unloaded trailer, so even if you rate the axle for your maximum load you will still bounce at anything less than that and shocks will do little to dampen that effect.

 

[ScottReb]

Agreed Martyn. The biggest mistake homebuilders make is too heavy of an axle.