Torsion axles???

[Fallon]

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.

They seem to use them on low profile gravity tilting deck trailers to get a lower deck height. You can get them setup for lower or higher clearance by where the torsion arm is clocked as previously noted. I love torsion for single axle trailers. But went with springs for my newish deckover power tilting deck. Mostly due to the equalizing over rough ground.

The rubber in torsion axles wears out after 10-20 years on travel trailers, probably faster with more heavy use. You end up with a lower ride height & little to no suspension travel as the rubber hardens.

 

[Redbug]

They seem to use them on low profile gravity tilting deck trailers to get a lower deck height. You can get them setup for lower or higher clearance by where the torsion arm is clocked as previously noted. I love torsion for single axle trailers. But went with springs for my newish deckover power tilting deck. Mostly due to the equalizing over rough ground.

The rubber in torsion axles wears out after 10-20 years on travel trailers, probably faster with more heavy use. You end up with a lower ride height & little to no suspension travel as the rubber hardens.

I have wondered about the rubber life of torsion axles. That's one reason I have shied away from torsions. My trailers are all the standard type with springs. I went out of my way to make sure the newest equipment trailer I ordered has the standard spring and equalizer setup. I have had blowouts before and you can ratchet up the blown side and limp home if it's short enough.

 

[Oldoak]

The rubber in torsion axles wears out after 10-20 years on travel trailers, probably faster with more heavy use. You end up with a lower ride height & little to no suspension travel as the rubber hardens.

It's a toss up. :confused3:

In 10-20 years spring suspension components wear out and break, and the leaf springs themselves sag or break. Even with light use I have seen individual leafs snap.

 

[ruffdog]

Can the rubber be replaced or is it all permanently molded into the axle? Can a person "re-clock" the axle to get a different ride height after the trailer is delivered?

 

[Oldoak]

The rubber in the torsion axil suspension is permanently molded in and cannot be replaced separately. That is the one drawback to them. The whole axle assembly must be replaced if/when there is a failure, $$.

 

[Redbug]

Can the rubber be replaced or is it all permanently molded into the axle? Can a person "re-clock" the axle to get a different ride height after the trailer is delivered?

Good question. I have wondered the same.

 

[bcp]

All I've examined (not a lot) have had the trailing arm welded to the part that rotates in the rubber. But adjustable angle axles are out there.

Here is an example of a clamped and welded arm.

Adjustable:
3,500 Lb. Adjustable Trailer Torsion Axles | Northern Tool + Equipment

Bruce

 

[bcp]

Interesting axle articles:

Trailer Axle: Use Leaf Springs? Or Torsion Axle? Here's the Engineering

Tandem Axles (& Triples) - Choosing The Right Trailer Axles Technology

Bruce

 

[ruffdog]

Interesting axle articles:

Trailer Axle: Use Leaf Springs? Or Torsion Axle? Here's the Engineering

Tandem Axles (& Triples) - Choosing The Right Trailer Axles Technology

Bruce

Very interesting read......thanks.

 

[Redbug]

Interesting axle articles:

Trailer Axle: Use Leaf Springs? Or Torsion Axle? Here's the Engineering

Tandem Axles (& Triples) - Choosing The Right Trailer Axles Technology

Bruce

Thanks Bruce. I learned stuff I never knew. I am glad you posted this.

 

[nikerret]

Are you sure a 14K trailer is going to be enough? Even a 20 feet long flatbed (which is fairly short) usually weighs between 4-5K pounds, empty. That leaves 9-10K of capacity. Some trailers rate their GVWR with some tongue weight, but not all. If it's a longer trailer, it'll take that much more out of your carrying capacity.

You mentioned a dozer-those are usually heavy. Recently, I pointed out to our County Road Crew they were putting a 25K backhoe on a trailer with a GVWR of only 22,500. The **** thing only has around 15K capacity. They are now shopping for a new trailer.

 

[John White]

It is a little Mitsubishi dozer and weighs a little over 9K. For the last ten years I have been hauling it on a 12K 16' Top Brand trailer. Trailer has handled it fine. I know it loaded at gross. No damage to trailer. It is built as heavy as some rated 14k trailers. But at times I thought if I run on to the right trailer and the right deal I would step up to a 18' with 14GVW because when I haul my Kubota tractor with FEL and a bush hog on it, it is a tight fir. Finding a used one is pretty hard because I want a low slung one, 16' with 2' beaver tail. The trailer I have really handles it nice. And if you find a used one at a good price, they are pretty well beat up. I think I have pretty well decided not to go with the Corn pro. I have found a 14 GVW Land Trail. But it needs a lot of work. New tires, wiring, fenders repaired, and the under carriage should be sand blasted and repainted.

 

[nikerret]

Man, I would LOVE to have one of those little Mitsubishi dozers.....someday.

 

[Fallon]

Man, I would LOVE to have one of those little Mitsubishi dozers.....someday.

I have 0 need for a dozer myself, my box blade covers my needs. But for some reason owning a dozer is on my bucket list.

 

[nikerret]

I have 0 need for a dozer myself, my box blade covers my needs. But for some reason owning a dozer is on my bucket list.

Here a pond, there a pond, everywhere a pond, pond!

 

[Fallon]

Here a pond, there a pond, everywhere a pond, pond!

Item 2 on the bucket list is an excavator, which would be a bit more practical. Tracked & has a dozer blade, at least for most minis. But somehow not as cool as a dozer. Would be better for pond building though. ;-)

 

[crazyal]

A dozer is the ultimate man toy. Nothing like going up to a tree and just pushing it over. Rubber only last so long. A steel spring really only wears out from use where as even sitting the rubber in the torsion axle is still going to be hardening. I've got a tri axle trailer that rarely gets used built in the 70s that still has the original springs.