A few questions about trailer axles and track width...

[REZARF]

Howdy-

Still gathering info before starting to purchase pieces for my trailer build-up.

I have a few questions:

1. Is there any reason not to use a torsion axle for a small (m416 type) trailer? It is my understanding you don't need addtional springs or suspension, only shocks. Is this correct?

2. If I go with a solid axle (3,500lb) and spring it over, I know I will have a bit more flexability to fab it all up level to the truck. What spring rating would I need to look at? I certainly won't ever get close to that figure. Maybe 500#s over the wieght of the trailer... MAX. Should I get more like a 1500 or 2000 lb rated spring?


3. What are the things to consider when designing the track width for a trailer? I am looking at (roughly) a 4x6 foot cargo box. I am trying to gauge how wide a trailer I need to order from hub face to hub face, I will use 12.5 tires on 10" rims... just like the 40.

Thanks for the help.

Rezarf <><

 

[Jon in NC]

I think the trailer track width should match that of the tow vehicle to allow it to follow in the same tracks.

 

[REZARF]

But a m416 is a much smaller width than stock. Any advantages?

Rezarf <><

 

[Jon in NC]

I've always heard that matching track width helps with towing off-road.

 

[Panzer]

Matching track width becomes an issue in deep mud and technical rock trails.
With rock if your rig makes it then your trailer should, should, track in the same way if your going straight. For turning kind of stuff same track width or narrower really isn't going to make a difference. Wider than your towrig makes for a whole other set of issues. For mud if your trailer isn't in the same track as the tow vehicle then as it makes its own trail your tow rig has to have enough power and traction to push itself through the goo as well as pull the trailer which is making its own trail through the goo. (consider soft sand the same as mud. Once you slow down and break the surfface tension it acts a lot like mud as far as traction and drag)
I have pulled trailers of all kinds on military trips (M151 with an M416, 2.5 ton and 5 ton with M105 and M series water trailers, HMMV with M1101 and M101, and now F350 with M101.)
99% of the time it hasn't made enough of a difference to get too worried about.

 

[Exiled]

I wouldn't use 10" wide rims on a trailer, it's going to make it tougher to maneuver around. But I agree, the trailer's axle width should match the tow vehicle's. Mine matches the rear axle of the FJ60.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

1. Is there any reason not to use a torsion axle for a small (m416 type) trailer? It is my understanding you don't need addtional springs or suspension, only shocks. Is this correct?

Torsion axles should work fine... I've don't have any experience with an off-road trailer that had them. Do they need shocks? I thought the tosion system was both the spring and the damper?

2. If I go with a solid axle (3,500lb) and spring it over, I know I will have a bit more flexability to fab it all up level to the truck. What spring rating would I need to look at? I certainly won't ever get close to that figure. Maybe 500#s over the wieght of the trailer... MAX. Should I get more like a 1500 or 2000 lb rated spring?

To really match a spring to your trailer, you need to have an estimated weight with payload in mind. Depending on what springs you use (automotive, trailer, etc..) you may find it alot easier just to experiment with the springs. I used FJ55 springs, and pulled 2 (or 3?) leaves out of each pack. It seems to flex fine.

3. What are the things to consider when designing the track width for a trailer? I am looking at (roughly) a 4x6 foot cargo box. I am trying to gauge how wide a trailer I need to order from hub face to hub face, I will use 12.5 tires on 10" rims... just like the 40.

I think a narrower track width is very advantageous when actually wheeling. In tight maneuvering the trailer won't be able to "track" you exactly, and in tight situations you might wedge your trailer. You don't need to worry about stability, so no need to be super wide. I think Exiled is right on the mark about wide tires, the wider they are the bigger footprint they have, thus a little harder to manuever, though you may never notice it with a single axle. I have 12.5" tires on a OEM FJ40 (6"?) rim. Hasn't been an issue thusfar.

 

[REZARF]

I wouldn't use 10" wide rims on a trailer, it's going to make it tougher to maneuver around. But I agree, the trailer's axle width should match the tow vehicle's. Mine matches the rear axle of the FJ60.

I was thinking I would try to keep the same size tires on my trailer as I have on the rig. Right now I am running 35x12.5's MTRs

Would a narrower rim allow for easier man handling?

Thanks-

Rezarf <><

 

[slickrock]

With little Frankentrailer, the chevy axle is a bit wider than the 40's axles, but with the offset of my rig's wheels and tire width, the trailer's footprint is the exact same as the cruisers. I cannot comment as of yet of the offroad advantages or disadvantages, but as for cruising down the freeway, there is no wabble or swaying. I did drive it accross a dirt field where my rigs tires left 2" deep tracks and the trailer followed them pefectly. It was hard to notice that I was pulling a trailer when I was going straight and again, followed me without swaying.

 

[REZARF]

So if i am going to match the track width of the 40, I should I measure out the 40 axle hub to hub, or just get the actual measurement for the center line of the tires?

My main issue is I want to run the same tire/wheel combo on the trailer as the rig, there is no sense loading multiple spares if I am able to avoid it.

Thanks again!

Rezarf <><

 

[sblackb]

Here's a picture of a tortion setup.

Sorry for the double post....

 

[sblackb]

Here's a picture of a torsion setup.

Here is a picture of a torsion axle off a friend's trailer. He builds these and swears by the ride of this design. Less parts to clean after the trail. Cheers.

 

[REZARF]

I have had a few folks say stay away from torsion axles at all costs. This is coming from folks who have built a few trail trailers...

The idea seems good, but this is the first good I have heard about them.

Rezarf <><

 

[sblackb]

I have had a few folks say stay away from torsion axles at all costs. This is coming from folks who have built a few trail trailers...

The idea seems good, but this is the first good I have heard about them.

Rezarf <><

I will say that the picture of the blue trailer axle is not setup for offroad but rather construction sites. Maybe they don't have enough travel for serious offroading? I'd be interested in hearing the reasons for not using them offroad.

 

[REZARF]

Main reason I have heard is they fail on lots of washboard type roads, the rubber litterally works itself apart under the constant pounding.

No experience though, just second hand info.

Rezarf <><