ruderunner
Active Member
Posts: 472 
Likes: 97
Currently Offline
|
Post by ruderunner on May 6, 2017 5:23:45 GMT -8
I've sketched out a design for my home brewed camper and came to realize that I might have under estimated the spacing required for tandem axles with leaf springs. I also based the height of the frame/floor off observations of newer campers and am discouraged by the total height of the design.
Basically I'd be limited by the space requirements of leaf spring axles and their mounting.
However a road trip through Elkhart Indianana was a bit eye opening. On the way through I passed a semi loaded with torsion axles, probably being delivered to one of the trailer manufacturers. What caught my eye was the compactness of the axles and the potential for a much lower ride height.
So, whats everyones thoughts on torsion axles vs leaf springs? Durability? ride control?
|
|
Dad Rambles
Active Member
Posts: 246
Likes: 140
62 Shasta Airflyte
Currently Offline
|
Post by Dad Rambles on May 6, 2017 5:55:32 GMT -8
I can only speak of my torsion axle that I installed on my teardrop(ish) camper that I built. (Its about 2K lb loaded).
BUT I LOVE IT.
Rides like a dream. You get a fully independent flexing of each side (wheel) of the trailer in relation to the static weight of the body. Bumps are taken well, and I couldn't be happier.
As far as durability, I only have about 12K miles on my trailer/axle, so all I can say is "so far so good".
As far as ride height, the torflex (Dexter) is non adjustable, and must be ordered with the angle (ride height). 0, 12.5, 22.5 etc + or - depending on if you want a drop or rise above the mounting plate. I think I paid about 300 shipped for one of these that was 6' outside bracket measurements.
The Flexride axles (by Universal) are adjustable in that you can take the spindle arm off and adjust the ride height. (these cost a little more). I think a simlar was about 400 or so to fit my trailer.
There may be other brands, but these are the two main ones that I have seen while researching the topic.
|
|
kirkadie
1K Member
Posts: 1,156
Likes: 556
'69 Serro Scotty Hilander
Currently Offline
|
Post by kirkadie on May 6, 2017 6:05:43 GMT -8
Scotty has torsion axles, as did my '86 aerolite, and I towed the latter from here in Ohio to Texas, and the one thing I liked was how little it bounced on the trip down. I'm a fan. I often borrow a flat bed with leaf springs and even loaded it's a 'hopper'... that's my two cents.
|
|
ruderunner
Active Member
Posts: 472
Likes: 97
Currently Offline
|
Post by ruderunner on May 6, 2017 6:57:55 GMT -8
Well that's good news so far. I'd almost certainl need an adjustable axle since this is all seat of the pants stuff right now. I'd like 2 3500# axles to put the expected loaded weight in the middle of the rated range but I don't have a way to determine total ride height till it's built.
A couple inches isn't that big a deal but I don't want to be 8" taller than expected or worse too low.
A nice benefit is going to be setting the axles closer together, this will make for smaller wheel wells and possibly allow a wider entry door as well as taking a hump out of the bedroom floor (trip hazzard)
BTW I passed the Scotty plant. Wasn't thrilled with the pics of the new camper but after seeing them in person they do look neat.
|
|
|
|
Post by bigbill on May 6, 2017 7:09:49 GMT -8
I like torsion axles for single axle trailers but prefer tandem axle trailers to be leaf springs set up as walkers, as this helps prevent extreme overloading of tires when going over uneven surfaces. With a torsion system set-up in tandem when you cross an uneven surface such as a driveway entrance almost all of the trailers weight transfers to one axle causing possible tire, wheel, or axle damage.
|
|
nccamper
Administrator 
Posts: 7,744
Likes: 2,871
1962 Forester- 1956 Shasta
Currently Offline
|
Post by nccamper on May 6, 2017 7:58:51 GMT -8
I like torsion axles for single axle trailers... Is there a source online you've used for torsion axles? |
|
kirkadie
1K Member
Posts: 1,156
Likes: 556
'69 Serro Scotty Hilander
Currently Offline
|
Post by kirkadie on May 6, 2017 9:18:26 GMT -8
|
|
|
|
Post by rogerthedodger on May 6, 2017 9:34:11 GMT -8
Airstream trailers have had torsion axles since the 1960's and still do, providing a superior ride. Go to the airstream forum for more info.
|
|
ruderunner
Active Member
Posts: 472
Likes: 97
Currently Offline
|
Post by ruderunner on May 6, 2017 11:37:42 GMT -8
Bigbill, that seems reasonable at first but, how do you reconcile that with automotive suspension? There's no walking beam or equalizer on those.
|
|
chickenfarmer
Active Member
Posts: 125
Likes: 56
1968 Fleetwing Wren
Currently Offline
|
Post by chickenfarmer on May 6, 2017 13:25:21 GMT -8
They will both wear out in time, springs are easier to find and cheaper. In my opinion on springs, if your trailer loaded weighs about the axle rating it will be a smooth ride. If you want to be extra safe and get heavier axle than you need it will be a rougher ride. My experience on farm trucks and trailers. I try to match the two. I know others disagree.
|
|
|
|
Post by bigbill on May 6, 2017 13:36:18 GMT -8
Bigbill, that seems reasonable at first but, how do you reconcile that with automotive suspension? There's no walking beam or equalizer on those. I am talking about tandem axles on a trailer. I am not sure what you are asking as automobiles don't have tandem axles. |
|
ruderunner
Active Member
Posts: 472
Likes: 97
Currently Offline
|
Post by ruderunner on May 6, 2017 14:58:12 GMT -8
4 wheels support the load. Your trucks front axle doesn't collapse when you enter the driveway does it?
|
|
|
|
Post by bigbill on May 7, 2017 11:55:50 GMT -8
4 wheels support the load. Your trucks front axle doesn't collapse when you enter the driveway does it? You are talking about four wheels spread out to 100 inches or more THIS IS NOT A TANDEM AXLE. A TANDEM AXLE IS TWO AXLES SET CLOSE TOGETHER TO CARRY A LARGER LOAD. If you study trailer design you would understand what I am talking about. Do you think manufacturers spend the extra money on suspension just for fun? Go ahead and build your trailer anyway you wish then if you pull into a driveway with a steep approach watch one wheel come off the ground while the other supports the entire load. Then when you start to experience tire and bearing failure prematurely you can get back on here and ask why. Tandem axles are only used to support more weight than one axle is designed to carry, so equalizing suspension is used to keep the load on both axles as even as possible. trucks get away with this do to a shorter wheelbase than a trailer and most have much more axle travel than a trailer. Having said that if you would design a torsion axle with much longer swing arms you could get by except as you lengthen the arms you are increasing the leverage on the torsion media so it would have to be much stronger which would result in more weight and higher cost. Hope this helps you in your design. |
|
ruderunner
Active Member
Posts: 472
Likes: 97
Currently Offline
|
Post by ruderunner on May 8, 2017 15:44:28 GMT -8
ok cool down. i'm not trying to picka fight, just trying to understand your concern and why you diskile torsion axles in tandem.
|
|
