Torsion axles???

[oliver1555]

Keeping it level probably wouldn't work for me as I haul a small dozer off pavement sometimes. What do you think of the equipt. trailers that have the donut wheels? (like house trailers) I had one once and had my share of problems. Probably due to overloading. Seems like the rims would give where the lug nuts were and loosen up. I have about 6 wheels with tires that I have found over the years that come off some ones trailer laying along the road.

Look at 17.5 tires. Ratings up to 6000# apiece. 10,000# axles with 17.5 wheels and tires are great. A true truck tire far superior to 16” LT or ST tires without the hassle of duals.

 

[Xfaxman]

Re: Torsion axles??? Yes!!!

Bought it new in 2006. 14k with torsion axles. Hauled over 11,000 pounds of round bales twice a year for several years:

Handles the V417 just fine, total weight on the deck is about 10,990 pounds including tie downs:

 

[RoyKing]

On multi axle use springs, easy to inspect, takes overloading better. Torsion when fail leave burning a tire on a fender.

 

[pmsmechanic]

I'll take torsion any day over springs. Yes you do need to be more careful but there is so much less maintenance long term. And they ride so much smoother and there is no noise. No thinning/breaking of u-bolts due to gravel hitting them. No axles being pounded thin from the gravel. No replacing equalizers and bushings that are wore out. A torsion is also a lot easier to run the brake wires behind so that the gravel doesn't burn the wires off.

I realize that most of you don't drive gravel roads much but I repair for farmers and see it all the time. I see it as the negatives for torsion are a lot less than the negatives for springs.

 

[joecdeere]

been running these 7,000 Dexter torsions for almost 15 years, great ride, no/low maintenance

 

[Redlands Okie]

Unless your running over rough uneven ground, terraces, and such, a LOT then for the reasons listed above make the torsions the way to go.

 

[4570Man]

My trailer has 10,000 pound spring axels. I’m not aware of torsion axels in use over 7k. Edit the do exist but from what I’m seeing they’re nearly $3000 each. That’s probably why I’ve never seen one. I might be in the wrong but I’ve never done any maintenance to trailer springs. Brakes and bearings yes, but never springs.

 

[Oldoak]

I'll take torsion any day over springs. Yes you do need to be more careful but there is so much less maintenance long term. And they ride so much smoother and there is no noise. No thinning/breaking of u-bolts due to gravel hitting them. No axles being pounded thin from the gravel. No replacing equalizers and bushings that are wore out. A torsion is also a lot easier to run the brake wires behind so that the gravel doesn't burn the wires off.

I realize that most of you don't drive gravel roads much but I repair for farmers and see it all the time. I see it as the negatives for torsion are a lot less than the negatives for springs.

Precisely why I prefer torsion suspension over springs. I have also seen a lot broken springs at our local truck and trailer repair shop. As far as brake and wheel bearings go, the maintenance on them would be the same on either type of suspension system.

When traveling on rough roads or off road, speed has a lot to due with suspension dependability and longevity of any suspension system.

 

[ruffdog]

Are torsion axles tucked up under the trailer higher for better ground clearance vs a trailer with springs?

 

[pmsmechanic]

Are torsion axles tucked up under the trailer higher for better ground clearance vs a trailer with springs?

It depends which clocking of the axle you buy. If the axle is clocked 45 degrees or less down then yes you get more clearance. If clocked level or 22.5 degree up then the answer is no.