Torsion axle on cargo trailer conversion
- Thread starter BBQJeep
- Start date
Teardropper
Well-known member
I have not. But I've installed a few Dexter Torflex axles on clean trailer frames.
You'd have to bolt the axle to the two brackets, jack it into place, spot weld, remove the axle, and finish welding. You need to go extra slow on this–no more than about 3/4" at a time–and allow the steel to cool to the touch, or you'll warp the frame.
You'd have to bolt the axle to the two brackets, jack it into place, spot weld, remove the axle, and finish welding. You need to go extra slow on this–no more than about 3/4" at a time–and allow the steel to cool to the touch, or you'll warp the frame.
I have a utility trailer I was thinking of swapping out axels, are you saying go slow as you'll warp the trailer frame 😮, I really doubt that, besides we don't even know what the frame is......
hooptycrawler
Member
While the potential for warping is there, it is unlikely you would cause anything substantial. Skip around a little bit and it would be fine. I prefer to weld stuff in hot especially on thicker/structural stuff to prevent cold weld starts anyways. Beyond that I've never swapped axles like you're asking but assume it would be straightforward. Remove existing mounts, square up new axle and weld in?
hooptycrawler
Member
Why did the axle destroy the frame?So this is my modified 19QBS IBEX
7500lb Timbren with 12" brakes 8lug with 16" BFG 5" subframe because torsion axle destroyed original frame
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So this was on a trip from California to NC on the way home through Tennessee we saw it sagging the whole frame buckled because the torsion went up into frame so no one would touch it manufacturer said out of warranty had to bolt plates on both side of frame to get home so built a subframe and went timbren going to add tube bars to protect the sides next .
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Sent from my motorola edge 5G UW (2021) using Tapatalk
Btw that's after I beat the frame straight 2 pieces of 3/16 x4" x 4' bolted through with grade 8 bolts got us home but drilling holes in a campground gets you looks 
12" brakes are a huge upgrade!!!also 16" BFG are rated at 7000+ lbs so are the Timbrens but I'm loaded at 4500lbs
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12" brakes are a huge upgrade!!!also 16" BFG are rated at 7000+ lbs so are the Timbrens but I'm loaded at 4500lbs
Sent from my motorola edge 5G UW (2021) using Tapatalk
Teardropper
Well-known member
Teardropper
Well-known member
I've never seen a torsion axle bracket welded to the side of a trailer frame. The RV industry is something else.
