4WD trailer - solid axle + leafs vs independent + coils

[KSV]

Hi Everyone!

Did not post for a while, but now need collective opinion.

So how important IS for 4WD trailer? Does it really worth money spend and headache that it attracts like wheel alignment and higher general maintenance time and cost? Or in reality it is more for show and solid axle + leafs trailer can be town over the same terrain with the same effort?

Thanks.

 

[ntsqd]

For sure a one-tire bump will affect the other tire on a live axle. That said, once the trailer rides smooth enough to not shake up the beer and/or break the eggs do you really care?

I don't think that ITS (Independent Trailer Suspension) is necessary. There are a lot who disagree with me. They've yet to present a convincing argument in its favor. I do think that a linked live trailer axle on coils is far better than a live axle on leaves. Particularly if those leaves are short as most US trailer springs are.

My first go-to for independent would be the Dexter Torflex axles. No idea if those are available down under or not. The argument against them, so far, has been that grit can get in and cause the rubber to de-laminate. I think that's junk reasoning. If the Vulcanization is done right there's no place for grit to get into in the first place. Pictures of the only known supposed failure have mysteriously disappeared.
Heat in these axles could cause de-lamination, so I'd strongly suggest that dampers be added to the system. Let them dissipate the heat as they're designed to do.

 

[KSV]

.......

Thanks mate for sharing your opinion. I posted this question with feeling that ITS is overrated, especially from el-chepo suppliers. Main thing that put me off from ITS where to get spares if something goes wrong? Live axle with leafs is far easier to work with, parts can be sourced from plethora of vehicles and can be converted with some effort to coils over axle one - I use to have LC80 and cannot fail such setup.

 

[ntsqd]

There is something to be said for leaf springs. I think that the trick is to find or build a set that offer enough suppleness for a good ride in the rough, but are stiff enough to be safe at speed on the tarmac.

For coil springs I would by-pass any OE application and go directly to aftermarket coil-over springs. Do not need to use them with coil-over dampers, just need to build seats with clamps to capture them on both ends. Can get them in a range of free lengths and rate increments from 25 lbs/in to 100 lbs/in depending on where in the range you need. Most of the US vendors with exchange them for a like spring in a different rate if they are not blemished, I would hope the same is true of OZ vendors.