Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

by **Joseph** » Tue Sep 28, 2004 1:08 pm

Call me a sucker for the classics, but I like leaf springs.

Joseph

by **Woody** » Tue Sep 28, 2004 1:27 pm

Me too!

Woody

by **mexican tear** » Tue Sep 28, 2004 2:02 pm

I ahve ordered a torsion axle for my next TD. Can you believe it? I ahve not even finished this one and I am already gathering parts for the next one.

I want to build a "Wild Goose". I think that you need two TD's. They each will have their own purpose.

kai

by **mikeschn** » Tue Sep 28, 2004 3:26 pm

Let me know if you've officially joined the 2nd teardrop club... I'll change your status! :wink:

Mike...

by **Denny Unfried** » Tue Sep 28, 2004 3:57 pm

It's springs for me. Very happy with how smooth mine tows on the highway and also on rough gravel and rocky trails everything seems to stay the way it was packed. Doesn't even shake up my beer :lol:

Am about to start tear #2 and won't change a thing on the frame or suspension. If something breaks on the road leaf parts are a lot easier to find than torsion parts.

Denny

by **mikeschn** » Tue Sep 28, 2004 4:08 pm

Sounds like you just joined the club... the second teardrop club that is... I'll change your status accordingly...

Mike...

by **R Keller** » Tue Sep 28, 2004 4:59 pm

Torsion.

Grant Whipp swears by 'em and that's good enough for me. He has years and years of experience with building teardrops with both kinds, and now just uses torsion axles in his.

But if you need more reasons, think about why horse trailers almost exclusively use torsion axles: much smoother ride and lower ride height. (of course, you can specify a taller ride height if you want...)

From one horse trailer website: "Rubber torsion suspensions provide a better ride than leaf springs. Torsion suspensions cushion bumps and rough spots better and with less bouncing than leaf springs. Also, rubber torsion suspensions work independently for each wheel so road impacts on one side of the trailer are not transferred to the other. This provides a significantly smoother ride for the horse, trailer, tow vehicle and driver."

Rik

by **mikeschn** » Tue Sep 28, 2004 5:02 pm

My welder didn't know better, and I wasn't very specific.... I guess I just ass-u-med!!! He welded the torsion axle to the frame. So if I ever have a problem with the axle it's going to have to be burned off... Unless we can replace the internals...

Does anyone know, can we just replace the internals?

Mike...

by **BoilermakerFan** » Tue Sep 28, 2004 5:10 pm

You can replace the internals on the original VW Beetle. ;-)

I think it would depend on the manf. of the axle.

by **Arne** » Tue Sep 28, 2004 6:09 pm

Wasn't the beetle a torsion rod, like some Chrysler products (and adjustable)?

The torsions for trailers seem to be square rods and rubber bushings..

by **R Keller** » Tue Sep 28, 2004 6:23 pm

Arne's right. The rubber torsion axle have the rubber inserted into the axle tube at the factory under extremely cold temperatures. I don't think it's possible to replace. You just have to get a new axle.

Rik

by **Chuck Craven** » Tue Sep 28, 2004 6:40 pm

I have had a leaf spring on a home made utility trailer brake and found one at a scrap yard that fit, to get me home. It seem to me that with a leaf spring one can change the weight rating by installing a different spring. I have never used a trailer with a Torsion axel. SO! Torsion system requires replacing the axel if one needs has to increase or decrease the weight limit/ride. Is that right?
Chuck

by **mikeschn** » Tue Sep 28, 2004 7:37 pm

R Keller wrote:Arne's right. The rubber torsion axle have the rubber inserted into the axle tube at the factory under extremely cold temperatures. I don't think it's possible to replace. You just have to get a new axle.

Rik

So I need to carry a battery powered tigersaw, and a spare axle with me?

Mike...

by **Woody** » Tue Sep 28, 2004 7:58 pm

That is what I did with my axle. I used a 3500# axle in combination with 1000# springs per side for a total load rating of 2000#. I do not think it is overkill to have to much axle. By under springing, I still get a very smooth ride and it is one less thing to go wrong when miles from home. If need be I can adjust the load rating by removal or add layer of spring or sets of springs as needed. Besides I carry an extra spring for emergencies.

Woody

by **R Keller** » Tue Sep 28, 2004 8:01 pm

mikeschn wrote:[So I need to carry a battery powered tigersaw, and a spare axle with me?

Ask Grant how often he has seen a failure with a torsion axle. I think the answer is none. Very rare in any case. There are a lot of other things to worry about. We can't prepare for all eventualities...just the likely ones!

Rik

Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

Axles: Leaf spring vs. Torsion

Which Axle do you prefer?

Leaf springs.

Who is online