Torsion suspensions

[Rustyiron]

My "feelings" is that on a multiple axle trailer, once you've reached the limit of the torsion movement, 100% of the load is on the other axle.
This doesn't happen with the traditional walking beam spring axles.... as big of a pita that they are to service, that generally means lots of parts and welding new spring hangars on.
At best I'd expect a much shorter service life using a multi axle (torsion) trailer in your rolling fields vs normal road conditions.

 

[Hay Dude]

I haven’t had any axle related issues at all with my Kaufman tandem spring axles. I have heard torsions are not well suited for bumpy fields, but I do drive very slow on them.

 

[Rustyiron]

What I meant about a walking beam HD was the eventual service, elongated holes in the hangars, worn thin spring bolts, etc. that comes after years of working. Dexter actually has a kit to rebuild the walking beam (that's usually call a equalizer bar or something similar) suspension including new hardware, spring hangers that in the past, I've found it easier to just flip the trailer over. Mostly because I don't trust my overhead welding.
I haven't had a torsion, multi axle heavy trailer (10 ton+) but on my little enclosed cargo trailer it's been carefree and flawless. My concerns are conditions like driving over a curb or a little ditch diagonally when loads might be supported one axle (per side) as you run out of travel with the rotational action.
I probably overthink things, but I'm under the impression that torsion axles are not serviceable, at least on 10/12k axles.
All good questions for your trailer dealer.

 

[Hay Dude]

What I meant about a walking beam HD was the eventual service, elongated holes in the hangars, worn thin spring bolts, etc. that comes after years of working. Dexter actually has a kit to rebuild the walking beam (that's usually call a equalizer bar or something similar) suspension including new hardware, spring hangers that in the past, I've found it easier to just flip the trailer over. Mostly because I don't trust my overhead welding.
I haven't had a torsion, multi axle heavy trailer (10 ton+) but on my little enclosed cargo trailer it's been carefree and flawless. My concerns are conditions like driving over a curb or a little ditch diagonally when loads might be supported one axle (per side) as you run out of travel with the rotational action.
I probably overthink things, but I'm under the impression that torsion axles are not serviceable, at least on 10/12k axles.
All good questions for your trailer dealer.

So Diamond C uses Lippert torsion axes, not Dexter.
Dexter offers much longer warranty on their torsions (10 yr) versus spring axles (5 yr).
Looks like Lippert is only 3 yr through Diamond C.
Lippert’s website says 11 years torsion and 6 years spring.

 

[Rustyiron]

I have a buddy with a g/n and a bumper pull Diamond C. They are very nice, but they ought to be

 

[Hay Dude]

It appears the warranty does not extend to the consumer.

https://lci-support-doc.s3.amazonaws.com/forms/oem_axle_and_running_gear_standard_warranty_effective_1_1_2017_final.pdf

 

[Fallon]

Torsion axles aren't really serviceable. It's a big square tube with a small square tube inside. Between them is rubber that compresses when the small square tube twists. No way to replace the rubber I'm aware of. You can replace the spindles though I believe.

 

[Gee Ray]

I use a 14k gooseneck for my hotshot truck. I used a Moritz with the torsion axles. I had zero problems with the axles themselves. I found that the bearings need more attention perhaps because the axles get deformed. I used this trailer for about 350,000 miles.

I am now running a Big Tex trailer at 14K with a spring setup. At the 350-400,000 mile mark I have had to replace the bearings, several springs, equalizer bars 3 times, several spring bolts and I am on my 3rd set of axles.

I know several people will say I must be overloading the trailers. I do not because a overweight ticket will cost me $$ and confidence from my customers.

The cost to rebuild the spring trailer is much less the the torsion axles but the down time and the difficulty in get replacement parts for the spring trailer is an on going problem.

 

[Hay Dude]

I was told Lippert builds torsion axles to 2 times their rated capacity.
I would assume this is to compensate for the extreme loading one axle must take because it can’t transfer any weight to the other when one axle is lifted off the ground in a ditch.
I am having trouble getting comfortable with the torsion axles, but the more I read about them the better informed I “feel”.

 

[mrmikey]

I would assume this is to compensate for the extreme loading one axle must take because it can’t transfer any weight to the other when one axle is lifted off the ground in a ditch.

I live on a rural road but it's an 80Km limit and it's well travelled from motorbikes to tractor trailers. There's a fella who must live up the road aways from me and i see him going by almost every other day. He's got a 350 Ford and almost always has a tandem torsion trailer in tow.
The hitch is a good 3-4" too high so the majority of the weight is on the rear axle. It makes me want to flag him over and ask him if you only want to use one axle, why not just buy a single axle instead of a tandem.