jesusgatos
Explorer
Sure, especially when it's not a driven axle. Was just scratching my head, wondering what conceivable advantages there could be.
Short-Long Arm/Equal Length Arm Suspension design
- Thread starter ntsqd
- Start date
R_Lefebvre
Expedition Leader
The solid trailer axle will have more clearance than the truck axles anyway, given the same tire size. No diff casing.
jesusgatos
Explorer
Still more is better in most cases, right?
indiedog
Adventurer
So what we need is for AT to make up a Chaser with a full axle and leaf spring suspension and take that plus their independent suspension model to a test track. They then load each the same plus put in a device to measure vibration and impact for both over the same track. ONLY THEN will someone have done the experiment to actually measure and determine if there is any benefit to having independent suspension on a trailer.
Now if AT truly believes its product is better, it has nothing to fear right?
Obviously AT is not the only maker of independent suspension trailers, but hey, they do sponsor this forum right? :sombrero:
Now if AT truly believes its product is better, it has nothing to fear right?
Obviously AT is not the only maker of independent suspension trailers, but hey, they do sponsor this forum right? :sombrero:
Bruce Behnfeldt
Observer
you could argue the opposite, more ground clearance usually means a
higher COG. i've seen more than one trailer with 20+ inches of ground
clearance on its lid behind a truck with 11" of ground clearance....
Bruce Behnfeldt
Observer
also there are other ways of dealing with vibration. my trailer has the box
mounted on rubber isolators (just like the truck i tow it with). i drive an 80
series and have another 80 that has a full cage and a rigid mounted body
and the difference is night and day between the two...
mounted on rubber isolators (just like the truck i tow it with). i drive an 80
series and have another 80 that has a full cage and a rigid mounted body
and the difference is night and day between the two...
jesusgatos
Explorer
Sure, of course you're right. But that's kinda obvious, isn't it? I didn't think I had to say, 'all other things being equal...'.
R_Lefebvre
Expedition Leader
Well sure, but a trailer with 32's is going to have about 15" under the axle, and probably 20 under the body, just to start. So it does go right to Bruce's point.
I should think 28's on a trailer, giving about 12-13 under the axle, and 15-16 under the frame should be plenty?
The only advantage I can see to independents would be if you used the other attributes of independent suspension to bring the trailer floor down to 15", and that would be your overall clearance. But that's not how they're being built.
I should think 28's on a trailer, giving about 12-13 under the axle, and 15-16 under the frame should be plenty?
The only advantage I can see to independents would be if you used the other attributes of independent suspension to bring the trailer floor down to 15", and that would be your overall clearance. But that's not how they're being built.
Bruce Behnfeldt
Observer
i guess i'm missing how "all things can be equal", you pretty much have
to give up COG to gain ground clearance....
jesusgatos
Explorer
A straight-axle can be designed/built to increase ground clearance without affecting the COG by any measurable amount, and independent suspension can also be designed/built to increase ground clearance in any number of different ways, and not all of those would necessarily affect the COG by any measurable amount. But it doesn't really matter. I don't feel like arguing about it.
The independent suspension model will win hands down, coil will be smoother out of the box, then factor in the independent wheel travel. There is a reason why most Australian/African trailers are trailing arm.
Unless you did a long travel leaf sprung, or coil sprung 3-4 link, then the performance would be somewhat close.
This is at the extreme end of it, but you can see what I am talking about.
http://giantmotorsports.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=66&Itemid=67
http://giantmotorsports.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=38&Itemid=52
indiedog
Adventurer
As stated I'll be going for independent on my next build because I "believe" that it is better/smoother. Why do I "believe" this??? Listening to those manufacturers locally (as you have quoted) who tell us consumers it is better, plus what is discussed in local camper trailer literature. Having said that, and for supported and rational discussion, I have not seen any factual numbers or any test results to prove it.
It is obvious that most of us like one or another system. But we should all be open to real and supporting data for each system based on controlled tests. I just don't know if anyone has actually done an experiment to compare the different systems.
Hence my invitation to AT to get involved. :sombrero: And no, they can't go and buy the shortest stiffest trailer springs to use in the test, unless they use something a little better as well. Come on Mario and Martyn!! It's not my money I want you to spend!! But if you do it and it proves your system is way better, then you'll have more marketing power!
Tight_wad
Adventurer
It is a good invitation. And out side of the time to test and document, it would not have to be very much money spent. All they have to do is take a trailer that they are going to convert to their independent system, and do a before and after. If they pick the right trailer that was well setup typical to what we do to them, it would be a good test. And as long as they use the same vehicle to test it, with the same load in the trailer and in the vehicle, and at the same place and vehicle speed to do the test, it would be a good low cost test.
Oh course, I don't think it will happen. Not that I don't think that they are confident in their system. But I don't think that it will show a large enough difference between the two systems to make it a marketing plus.
And my reasoning for this is still very simple. It is a single axle trailer (whether independent or straight), 2 contacts on the ground, with bumps side to side, body roll is going to occur before one contact point can compress enough to make a real difference.
I might be wrong, and would love to see some comparison data or some comparison videos that actually proved it. The video posted previously here, that compares the trailer ride to the pull vehicle is not a comparison to me at all. But until then, I think I will save my time and money, and use and improve my straight axle system.
jesusgatos
Explorer
ding ding ding! Winner winner chicken dinner.