which is prefered Torsion or Leaf springs

[burnttoastburgos]

Getting ready to start a trailer build to match my and pull behing my 40. Of all the trailers i've searched, the majority seem to be leaf springs. Is there a reason to run with leafs instead of torsion other than the higher cost? I would think torsions would be quieter on the trail and smoother on the loaded equipment. Any thoughts?

 

[cruiserjunkie]

Burnt there has been some heated debate over this on here but in my opinion there is a reason every one is offering them on all types of trailers now even the US military is replacing its fleet with torsion

 

[burnttoastburgos]

did some research on the matter. For my particular situation, i seriously doubt i will torture my trailer to the point of torsion breakdown, i think a 3500lb rating should far exceed my needs.

 

[skersfan]

How big is your trailer. Nothing is worse than over springing the trailer with torsion axles, absolutely nothing. 3500 pounds is a tremendous amount of trailer. My fully loaded teardrop uses a 2700 pound torsion axle. the Trailer weighs 2200 or so fully loaded. It will work fine and you can adjust with tire preasure. Do not under any circumstand put a 3500 pound torsion axle on a 1500 pound trailer, it will tear it apart, be totally useless. Get the axle that is rated closest to your trailer. Dexter torflex makes them from 1500 to 3000 and you can order them in any weight.

 

[ntsqd]

The reason that you see folks going with much heavier axles is to get the larger spindles and bearings and possibly different hub options (brake type, bolt pattern, etc.), not that actual weight capacity.

 

[skersfan]

I believe you can order the heavier set up on the lower weight axles now. I use a 2000 to 3000 pound axle set up.

I truly tested it on Kokopellie a couple of weeks ago. The tire forced a giant rock 18"x24"x10" up into the wheel well, the 35 inch KM2 was compressed to about 1.5 inches from rock to rim. Should have blown, but did not damage the axle. Driver error for sure, but these axles are extremely strong, way beyond a standard leaf spring axle. With a leaf spring, my guess is I would have torn the whole thing off the trailer. A learning moment here. When facing a situation like that, lock the trailer brakes up and pull forward it will force the rock out of the way rather than going over it. Did that on the second attempt, worked perfectly. I had no idea the rock was that big, as the mirror on the passenger side as we all know is crap. Should have gotten out and looked, but felt it would just roll over it, not so fast grasshopper. We all learn, some it takes a lot harder hit in the head than others. My head is still ringing. lol

 

[burnttoastburgos]

I believe you can order the heavier set up on the lower weight axles now. I use a 2000 to 3000 pound axle set up.

That is what i would prefer, but do not want a 5lug to 6 lug adaptor.I've been looking but to no avail.Definetly want elec brakes, 2000lb - 2500lb axles with the 6-5.5 pattern.....

 

[Corbet]

A lot of debate on the subject. AT had a write up on their site, assume its still there. Leaf repair probably easier in the field over a failed torsion. Personally when I redo my M101a it will be with a linked standard axle on bags. You could also do light leaf springs with air bag helpers to have a wider weight range and still a decent ride quality. Trailers with too stiff of springs suck on the trail. My 101 bounces all over until some weight is added. But it sucks even more when its sitting on the bump stops. Kind of scary when it leans and one side unloads.

 

[skersfan]

Ah yes the mythical failure of AT raises its head. According to Dexter, the supposed failure, it never happened, never a request for warranty or pictures to prove this.

I have used these axles for three times as long as AT has been in business, built way more trailers than they will in the next ten years, and trailers from 45 foot to 10 foot. The chances of the axle failing are so minimal it is not even a concern. Good enough for the US military, NATO forces and numerous other militaries all over the world to change to them.

 

[skersfan]

dexter TorFlex makes the exact axle you are talking about, I use that same one on my trailers and have them set at 2700 pounds, run 30 pounds of air on the highway and 10 to 12 on the trail. They work perfectly, did the Kokopelli with last week and never broke an egg with the ride. If you have problems finding one let me know, I will help you get what you need.

 

[Corbet]

My post was not to imply a torsion will fail just that a failed leaf would most likely be easier to fix with the type of tools most of use carry over a failed torsion "if" it were to happen. Failure or either is in most cases unlikely. I agree that AT has a negative opinion of the torsion but I don't know the details there. I've never towed a torsion axle offroad but would assume it would offer a better ride if spring weight was well matched over leaves.

My only complaint with either system is that both offer a smaller window of load verse a set of bags. Might not be an issue for many but I ask my trailer to run empty at 1350 lbs and with payloads over 3000 lbs on occasion. On and offroad. Pretty much any torsion axle or set of springs will force a compromise somewhere in that range. Where bags could be adjusted for the load.

 

[ntsqd]

I strongly feel that AT's Forensic Analysis of the nearly mythical, singular known (?) failure is flawed and that heat was at fault. Since there have been no in-depth photos of the event and the carnage made public, we'll never know.

If you do go with rubber torsion, put shocks on it from the beginning. Let them remove the heat from the rubber. Prior to my owning it, my TrailBlazer, equipped with a rubber torsion axle and Rancho 9k shocks, was towed through Baja several times. Since I've owned it I've towed it all over the West Coast, from Oregon dunes to the Mojave Desert. Lots of miles, no problems. Adjusting the tire pressure to suit the load makes a big difference in how bouncy it is.

 

[skersfan]

tire preasure on a torsion axle is the key. But as you drive with them you learn their characteristics. I love them and have never had a failure with one, that is over 25 years of using them.

 

[burnttoastburgos]

Dexter torsion ordered.........build to follow. Thanks