Dexter Torflex Axle

[littlediesel]

Do any of you guys know much about the Dexter torsion axle. It is also called the Torflex axle. It does not use a conventional leaf spring design. I am looking at buying a 16' 10K GVWR equipment trailer and it uses the Dexter Torflex axle. I am wondering if the axle is any good.

Thanks,
Jon.

 

[MrJimi]

This is only my opinion but I think they are the best axles out there, I have 2- 7 k axles under this trailer

 

[Jimbrown]

My gooseneck horse trailer has them. I like them because if adjusted correctly they make the trailer set closer to the ground. They also (to me ) seem to be more stable (less sway and bounce) at high speeds.

 

[Skyco]

They are fantastic. The best ride, far smoother than any leaf spring axle.

I'm puzzled though JimBrown, they do not have adjustments. They can be ordered with different angles to the torque arms but they aren't field changeable. I have a Featherlight enclosed 20' trailer that had Torflexs and was built for a low height. I have a steep driveway that made the trailer drag, I ordered new axles that raised the trailer 9 inches, sure wish they could have been adjusted, would have saved me $500 and a days labor to swap them
They can be remounted with some sort of subframe between them and the trailer frame to alter height but that is a little cheesy. Besides I retained the old axles for some future trailer project, I don't know what yet but I'll think of one

 

[BarryinMN]

They do give a smoother ride but... each tire is independently sprung and in an extreme case say diagonally going over a curb the entire trailer load could be on ONE tire. Leaf spring axles are setup to toggle one up one down & help distribute the load.

 

[atgreene]

Torflex are awesome!

I had a 23' Moritz Gooseneck with 2 7k torflex. I hauled my 4150 Kubota with a B106 rotary mower (10,000 lbs +-) all over the southern half of the state, in and out of driveways, fields, dirt roads, construction sites etc... Wore out 2 sets of tires and one set of brakes, never had an issue with the torflex. My Cam Superline tilt trailer with springs rides like crap, I'll NEVER do springs again. Dexter has 8k axles as well, and maybe even a higher rating?

I'm going to sell this cam and have Moritz build me a lowbed with 2 8k torflex.

Everyone mentions that they will bend on rough terrain, but I have never talked to anyone who has actually seen one bent , whereas my old triaxle trailer with 7k spring axles bent twice.

 

[Skyco]

BarryinMN - Simple fix- don't go over curbs At least not on purpose.....
As for the ride let me give an example- used to have a 20' Wells Cargo, youngest son set an open can of coke on one of the inner fender wells. Drove over 100 miles and opened the door to see the Coke still sitting there on the fender well, unspilled Try that with a leaf spring trailer

 

[MrJimi]

Another great feature about independent suspension is when you have a flat and the other tire will support your load safely,, just take it off and be on your way, these don't have to be chained up to remain off ground in transport like a spring hung axle has to be and did I mention almost no moving parts to wear out. Take a look at how many moving parts on a dual axle spring suspension there is. You will be amazed

 

[radman1]

I have 4 trailers with torsion type axles. One enclosed 7k, 14K dump trailer, 14K flat bed and 7k car hauler. I like them. Much smoother ride than axle trailers I have had in the past, especially on the higher rated axles.

 

[BarryinMN]

BarryinMN - Simple fix- don't go over curbs At least not on purpose.....
As for the ride let me give an example- used to have a 20' Wells Cargo, youngest son set an open can of coke on one of the inner fender wells. Drove over 100 miles and opened the door to see the Coke still sitting there on the fender well, unspilled Try that with a leaf spring trailer

Sticky cans are easy to spot - bigger question is where did he hide the 1/2 eaten sandwich?

For the trailer based on experience I'd get a deckover instead of the bobcat style. Fenders take a beating & slit the inner sidewall of a tire on occasion.

 

[travis potter]

I built a tool trailer and put a 35k dexter under it rides much better than the old spring trailer. Airstream travel trailers have used them for years and they are the best riding trailer on the market.My openion.

 

[2003Pilot]

I built a tool trailer and put a 35k dexter under it rides much better than the old spring trailer. Airstream travel trailers have used them for years and they are the best riding trailer on the market.My openion.

You're absolutely right about the ride of Airstream. I now own the 26' Airstream that my parents purchased in 1965. Still rides and tows like a dream. It has Dexter Torflex axles on it.

Gary

 

[Redbug]

When towing a trailer with torflex axles, it is critical the loaded trailer be level. Otherwise, one axle, (and it's tires), will be supporting more weight than the other axle.

Torflex do not distribute the load evenly between axles, (since they are not connected in any way)...The leaf spring style do distribute the load more evenly between axles with their connecting cams. It may not be as smooth a ride as torflex, but an awkward load is shared more between axles. That seems a lot safer to me.

Torflex are cheaper in price and easier to assemble on a trailer, and give a smoother ride. Leaf springs are more expensive, more parts, and a bit more rougher ride...but loads are evened out where the rubber meets the road. For an equipment trailer my choice would be the leaf axle type. I would go with torflex on a camper, though.

 

[Skyco]

Torflex are cheaper in price and easier to assemble on a trailer, and give a smoother ride. Leaf springs are more expensive, more parts, and a bit more rougher ride...but loads are evened out where the rubber meets the road. For an equipment trailer my choice would be the leaf axle type. I would go with torflex on a camper, though.

Every package I've checked out torsion axles are much more money than an "equivalent" leaf spring package...for example a tandem set of 3500 lb axles with springs, hangers, u bolts and equalizers is around $320 where two 3500 lb torsion axles will set you back over $500...
If you do know of a place that sells equivalent torsion axles cheaper than a leaf spring axle package I'd sure like to know where

 

[Redbug]

Hi Skyco,

These folks offer a pretty good deal, and are made to order.
Around $500 for both axles, (simular to your quote).
3500 LB TORFLEX AXLE ASSEMBLIES - IDLER - KMT Trailer Parts

For regular axles, I figure 2 would run you around $660 or so. You have to get the axles, leaf springs, equalizers, u bolts, etc.
CHAMPION TRAILER'S WEBPAGE FOR

Main index for all the other parts...Good stuff... CHAMPION TRAILER PARTS SUPPLY

But to be fair...Their torsion axles do look more expensive than the regular...I stand corrrrected...I don't know why since there are less parts involved. Higher markup?
CHAMPION TRAILERS WEBPAGE FOR TORSION AXLES

 

[Skyco]

I suppose the torsion axles are higher due to their design- figure a regular axle is just basically a pipe with the spindles welded on, with a torsion axle you still have the spindles of course but they are welded* to a large forged lever assembly that is then welded to a square rod that is inside the whole square tube surrounded by four rubber "rods" to give the torsion action. More materials and more labor to assemble, and perhaps there is more markup.

Champion is a pretty good reference site but I used this one to get prices-
Trailer Axles for utility and boat trailers their axle price is about half of Champions!

Their torsion page is here-
Flexiride Rubber Torsion Axles

* Dexter axles are welded but I see there are some available now that have a replaceable spindle if one is damaged....pretty cool If I'd have know that last year when I spec'd and ordered two 3500 lb Dexter Torflex axles I might have gone that route