Torflex axles?

[archtimb]

Came across these in my axle search:

http://tinyurl.com/2jgape

Anyone have some first hand knowledge of these, particularly for off-road use?

Thanks,
Mitch

 

[Howard70]

Mixed Opinion

Mitch:

I have one of these axles on a small Aluma trainer that I use for paved and maintained dirt road camping (see photo below). The axle is really simple, light weight and seems able to handle a lot of weight so I like it for those reasons. The Aluma can carry 1,000 pounds yet the trailer weighs only 300 - this is mostly due to the weight savings from the axle system, but some is due to the aluminum construction. My offroad trailer is a 416 that weighs nearly 500 pounds and gets pretty settled down on the springs with 600 pounds of load (I've done the axle-over conversion so the clearance is still OK with more weight than that).

However, there are no shock absorbers on the torsion system that I have and the trailer really bounces a lot. When loaded it bounces less, but still seems to have more vibration than my 416 offroad trailer. Screws come loose on equipment packed in the Aluma from the vibration.

I'm guessing that the rubber torsion system works best when loaded up and perhaps with heavier situations than my ALuma. I'm not sure if you could fit shocks or not to the readily available axles.

Howard L. Snell

 

[Martyn]

Came across these in my axle search:

http://tinyurl.com/2jgape

Anyone have some first hand knowledge of these, particularly for off-road use?

Thanks,
Mitch

Mitch

I think there is a lot of discussion on the Torsion Flex axle on the Portal, but to summarize.

1) The axle is not field repairable, a new axle has to be installed
2) They bounce as their reaction time is slow
3) There is no seal between the drop arm and main beam so dirt can get in.
4) The inserted rubber that forms the suspension is prone to overheating and coming out of the axle.

The only thing you can do to prevent failure is insert a bump stop
A very limited number of torsion flex axles are available with shock mounts
Best for on road use.

 

[24HOURSOFNEVADA]

Yeah, I have towed extensively with a torflex axled trailer. My Tentrax had one...That's one of the reasons I sold it.

 

[archtimb]

Thanks all!

Just the kind of info I was looking for! Well, that puts me back to the AT suspension...

Mitch