I'm looking at getting a 30' enclosed gooseneck trailer. I have the option of getting torsion axles instead of leaf axles.

What's the difference?
Is it worth the extra price?

Any other items you would have put into a built to order trailer?

Trailer will be used to pull the jeep in my signature and a polaris 500 as well as provide storage for both when not in use.

Thanks....

 

my boat trailer feels like a skate board when its empty, loaded the only thing better is air ride trailers.

 

UMMMMMM. Did you answer my question at all? What's a boat trailer got to do with the determination between leafs or torsion axles?

 

I've heard the torsion axles are pretty smooth riding, mostly because they operate independently from each other. I've always had leaf and they're ok.

 

I build trailers for a living and I won't put anything BUT a torsion axle under a trailer unless a customer beats me over the head to make me dumb(er), or the application won't allow it, such as in a 3 axle set-up. Advantages are that there are no leafs to break, hangers to wear out or bushings to replace. THey give a better ride and are easier over-all on the trailer. Disadvantages are that 2 axles won't equalize the load between them. But if you load correctly, (like you should anyway), and your trailer sits marginally level, (which it should anyway), equalization isn't an issue. The torsions are built to take a LOT of shock loading, such as when you back over un-even ground or back over a curb.

The only failure of a torsion axle I've seen is that the trailing arms, (the part that hold the spindle), will bend if you hit a curb, fully loaded and at highway speed. (Had a customer hit the curbing at a closed toll booth while going thru at 60 mph) I'm talking Dexter axles, I can't speak to the other manufacturers. I *think* Al-Ko makes a decent axle altho it looks lke they use thinner material on their axle tubes than Dexter. We have the Al-Ko's on our fire safety trailer and they seem to be ok and perform just like the Dexters. There was one manufacturer who is out of business as of early 2008 that had some problems with the mounting flange that holds the backing plate for the brakes shearing off. I replaced some of those with Dexters and I repaired others, but unless you're buying a left-over trailer it shouldn't concern you.

As far as cost... I kind of get a kick out of these manufacturers that charge an arm and a leg more for torsions. Number one, the torsions are only about $50 more expensive than a comparable sprung axle. Number two, the torsions are easier and quicker to install than a spring set-up, so while the labor savings may not off-set the extra cost, it doesn't justify them charging 2 or 3 hundred more for them either.

Let me know if you have any specific questions and I'll do my best to answer them. There are quite a few other guys here who are knowledgeable in this subject as well, so hopefully they'll sound off too.

Did THIS answer your question?

chaikwa.

 

What kind of trailers do you build? I just happen to be in Grand Rapids right now, for law school and will be using the trailer to move home as well as for the jeep.....

 

I don't have near the building experience that Chaikwa does. The only thing I could add is when towing empty. A torsion axle trailer seems to ride rougher than a spring setup. But with a little weight they are far better than leaf springs. Pulls easier, rides better and no wear items.

 

I like torsion. I have trailers with both. my livestock trailer has torsions and my big Gooseneck equipment trailer has springs, because I dont think they make 12,000lb torsion axles. (24,000gvw)
the trailer I pull at work is a 2009 H&H 18 by 7.5 bumper pull enclosed trailer with spring axles. it pulls good. Not sure how it would pull with torsions.
On your trailer Id get torsions.

 

I build primarily heavy equipment trailers, nothing enclosed. When are you moving back? We ought to meet up. I'm in GR quite a bit. I'm going there Thursday and Friday actually. We do a lot with WOOD TV8 for our fire safety programs.

You're right, they will be a little stiffer when empty. Personally, I can put up with that for all the benefits they offer tho. From a buyers perspective, a lot of it is personal preference. But from a manufacturers view, it cuts way down on warranty work to the axle and suspension assemblies. I can recall one instance where an axle went bad. For some reason, the rubber inside the axle tube lost all it's capacity. Never figured out why either. But Dexter stood behind it 100% even tho it was over 8 years old. They said it never should have happened even if it was overloaded by 300% and that the spindles and/or bearings should let go first. I was impressed!

chaikwa.

 

No, they don't. Highest capacity right now is 10,000, dually capable. Dexter has a REAL cool air ride set up tho and I'm dying to use one on a heavy application.

chaikwa.

 

If you are hauling something with value such as a car, livestock, boat, etc go with the torsion axles they will last longer and have a smoother ride. If you are building the trailer for everyday use with variable loads, use the standard spring axles. Torsion axles work great with a consistent load.

 

I have a trailer w/a Dexter axle that bent?? it's the back one & the front rdge of the tire is bent in about 1/8" is there any way to fix it?
It's wearing the outside of the tire.
thx,
Bob

 

I prefer the walking beam as I see a lot of off road heavy load action. I welded on some shock brackets when I built my trailers they sure take the bounce out of things. My toybox will have dual 8K air ride suspension / axles on it when I build it.

Be sure to check out the disc brake option they are a lot smoother than the electric drums and cool a lot faster..

Here is some pics of the ones I built.. I had to post these again to raz chaikwa Did you get your maxbrake fine tuned yet and how are you liking it?

32' GN W / long tall adjustable GN, 2 - 7200lb ez lube axles



42' GN W / dual HD 12K disc bake axles..



Carlisle elec / hyd pump rated at 1600PSI in about 1.8 seconds



SS Brake lines and hoses



Rumber decking is a nice option as well and will go 20 yrs..



LED Lights save wear on the electrical system as well..

 

What's to raz me about? You make a FANTASTIC trailer! Body too! Good to see something decent being built instead of the mass produced junk made by most of the big manufacturers.

Here's a Torflex set-up with a walking beam as well;


I got the Maxbrake tuned in like you said and it DOES work better. I didn't think it was possible to make it better than it already was, but it's great. THANKS!

chaikwa.

 

Thanks for the compliments chaikwa that means a lot when it comes from a fellow builder!
I have looked at the max brake site and no where does it say it is compatible with the elc / hyd actuators do you know if it is? That is why I went to the P3 setup..