Life Span Of Torsion Axles... Do you like them?

[ndemge]

Thinking of building a couple utility trailers, one super light duty, one heavy duty dual axle.<br /><br /><br />I need to make the choice between regular axles and leaf springs, or torsion axles.<br /><br /><br />Opinions anyone?<br />What is their life span?

 

[BoatBuoy]

Re: Life Span Of Torsion Axles... Do you like them?

If it's longevity, my trailor is 48 years old and leaf spring seem just fine, although it's a small trailer. I did put shocks on it 'bout 20 years ago to reduce bounce on back-roads.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Life Span Of Torsion Axles... Do you like them?

I've been pulling a Tool Crib/Job Trailer with Torsional axles(tandam) for 13 Years......<br />No Breakdowns........<br />No Maintaince..........<br /><br />I used a set of Stub Axles with torsional springs to build a 4wheeler trailer last winter.....<br />So Good, So Far........<br />I'm just starting a combination Low-bed/ Dump Trailer........<br />It'll be a Tandam or Tri-axle...... Using Torsional axles....<br /><br />Simple....<br />Easy.....<br />I Love them.......<br /><br />I'll Never build another trailer with Leaf Springs Again...........

 

[ndemge]

Re: Life Span Of Torsion Axles... Do you like them?

Thanks Bondo<br /><br />If I can get 20 years out of a axle set I'll be happy.

 

[BillP]

Re: Life Span Of Torsion Axles... Do you like them?

It easy to keep axles and leaf springs around for 15-20 yrs. Coat them with motorcycle chain spray lube once every 6-12 months...the foaming type penetrates best. I have a 9 yr old trailer used in saltwater and the running gear is still in near new condition. I also have a 1965 trailer used the same and the whole set was last replaced in 1985...still going strong. I coat axles, leafs, hubs and clamps.

 

[Rudderman]

Re: Life Span Of Torsion Axles... Do you like them?

I just built a boat trailer using independent torsion axle hubs. Its really quiet and stable on the road and in my opinion is much more gentle on the boat than leaf springs. I don't think I'll ever go back to leaf springs.....they bounce more and they make a hell of a racket if there is no load on the trailer.

 

[rwidman]

Re: Life Span Of Torsion Axles... Do you like them?

Torison axles are good. And quiet. You can't weld them on, the heat will damage them. U bolts are fine and you can adjust the axle position if necessary.

 

[Dryrot]

Re: Life Span Of Torsion Axles... Do you like them?

I have had both types of suspension and torsion springs are the only ones I put my sailboats on now. There are several reasons for the torsion type. There are fewer moving parts thus less maintenance,independent suspension that does not transfer the shock wave to the opposite wheel and cause bounce, much quieter, more stable..better tracking,salt water does not corrode them as much because the "workings" are enclosed inside the axle, cleaner lines.<br /><br />The only downside of torsion axles occurs when you have a tandem axle setup. As you go over railroad tracks for instance each axle carries the entire load for a short time. If you have 2 3500# axles and a 5000# boat that 5000# will ride on 1 axle momentarily. With a tandem spring axle the load is dispersed over 2 axles. For this reason torsion axle manufacturers do not recommend 3 axle trailers. Airstream travell trailers have been selling torsion axle trailers for the last 20 years, so that must mean something.

 

[waterone1@aol.com]

Re: Life Span Of Torsion Axles... Do you like them?

This year is the first time I have had torsion axles on my boat trailer. Two things that I noticed : this is a triple axle set up, and when I pull over a curb, the whole load is on one axle. when we were experimenting with the position of the boat on the trailer, at one point the front tires got hot because of too much weight on one axle. Seams like they are great once you get things "dialed in" but leaf springs distribute weight much better.

 

[ndemge]

Re: Life Span Of Torsion Axles... Do you like them?

That's a good point on the weight distrobution.<br /><br />It'd be fine for a static load like a boat, always the same... But for a utility trailer, sounds like if more than one axle, it's probably not a good idea as your load will always be different with what you are hauling.

 

[Mark 42]

Re: Life Span Of Torsion Axles... Do you like them?

Boats aren't always static...<br />Fuel and water tanks can change the CG,<br />and gear can be moved around from trip to trip.<br /><br />A cooler full of beer and food, camping gear, <br />and other stuff added for a longer than usual <br />trip can really change the weight.<br /><br />A simple rocker arrangement could be designed...<br />something like the rocker bellcrank between<br />leaf springs but using solid structural members<br />rather than springs.<br /><br />I just bought a boat on a trailer with tandem <br />torsion axles. Not even sure yet if they're <br />rubber springs. I don't understand why all steel<br />tandem axles aren't more popular. Stainless steel <br />would be great!