Moderator: Sonetpro
I've torn my frame, too, ripping a hanger off the frame. Because of that, when I was going to fix it, I added a 2"x2"x 36" long, 1/4" thick angle (with spring hangers welded - and bolted) to the frame, and a corresponding length of 2" tall 3/16" thick steel to form a "sandwich" around the original frame. It has stood up to an airborne trip over a massive pothole at 75 mph, without any ill effects. I'm sure that the reinforcement resisted a landing force that would've torn/bent my un-reinforced original frame. Not overkill, but thinking ahead.Dave Nathanson wrote:...Before installing the Timbren suspension we welded on a 5 inch by 1/4 inch plate from tip to tip along each side. That might be overkill for most people, but I've torn this frame before, so I knew some reinforcement would be very helpful. Actually we had to remove some of the previous angle iron reinforcement so we could add this reinforcing plate. The secured reinforcing plate also makes it less likely that the suspension can twist in or out. ....
Dave Nathanson wrote:Here are 3 photos all showing pretty much the same view; the inside of the drivers side trailer wheel. The important differences are that the first photo is with leaf springs, then second with the Timbren axle-less suspension with Straight spindle, and the 3rd photo is the same Timbren except with the 4" lift spindle.
drewh1 wrote:Dave - just wanted to thank you for these posts. I ordered the Timbren with the 4" lift after reading your post. I haven't mounted the wheels yet (waiting on hubs) but it looks like I will have plenty of ground clearance when done.
slowcowboy wrote:I really enjoyed this tread lots of good info. I am happy with my leaf springs and gas shocks since I am a mild off roader in the local wind river moutains here in Wyoming. but it might be a good option choice for a four wheeler trailer. you can get way more off road with them to dump atvs for trips in to the woods. I think from your photos you need a good trailer frame which I don't have and I think its over kill for my travels but I like the idea a lot big time. I got a new kampmaster I am building with a better frame than the harbor freight one on my old tear. its a thought idea for the future. I like it. slow
wavebreaker wrote:Noticed not been posted in for a bit but I thought I would add my views.
I have built 9 off-road trailers 8 that are in use and one still under construction. 5 of these are teardrops.
I have used timbren/torsion/springs and airbags.
Was the first in north America to use a timbren suspension system on a off-road trailer. dealt with the engineers at timbren to make the first 1500# with 3000# spindles for brakes. The system worked fine for several years then the primary bushing on the main pivot failed , it was a major failing the tires at the top tilted into the trailer while I was traveling down a dusty road (did not notice smoke)if not for an obstacle I would not have stopped till after trailer was in flames. Tires had heated up to the point of burning thru side of trail and melting carpet and mattress inside of trailer.it is imperative that the front bushing be lubed regularly. On mine there was no grease fitting they now come stock with one. they also line bore the bushing after installing into the arm rather than using one pre drilled. The force applied to that bushing goes up with the larger sized tires. its a constant twist on that bushing.
Now all that being said I called timbren after the failure to find out how to fix it and they ended up selling me a new pair at cost They stand behind their product and are awesome people to deal with.
The fellow that has that particular tear has put many miles on it with no further issues but he keeps it well lubed.
As for leaf springs I find a few things to them I don't like. They bounce way to much it adds a lot of stress overall to the trailer. Off-camber situations can get truly hairy with springs a bad bounce and it can lead to a flop. wash board roads those springs at speed cant keep up the trailer looks like a jumping jack. The axle on 30 inch tires you only get 14-15 inches of clearance not a lot (trust me I have got stuck on tree stumps. But again it is only my opinion.
Torflex axles I have used once was not for me was for another person they seem after several years to have no issues. Thought the trailer has never really seen any hard off-road and maybe has 10,000 miles on it total.
Leads me to my final system trailing arm airbags. The tear I am building now is the third I have done this way. I design the trailer so as to have nothing under body at all the trailing arms are it.
on airbags at full rise I have 22 inches of clearance on 31 inch tires. I can adjust this from 18 to 22. the system works well the trailer hardly bounces on washboard roads and stays solid in off-camber situations. I have an onboard air compressor to keep bags inflated. I air up and down for parking and road conditions. highway hard off-road a little softer and when parking I drop to bump stops for steadying.
trying to remember how to add photos will add later.
Lucky J wrote:I am not going to pull my 3500 pds dexter from under my utility/off road trailer, I can leav with the 3500 capacity and It is never close to capacity in overlandind (when I am far from populated area and only loaded to capacity when I am close (firewood and other duty). But it is to bouncy to carry light capimg and xpedition gear on washbord and rough dirt road.
Same with the 2200 dexter from the TD, can not leave anything like eggs, and other soft food that need to be cool in the galley fridge, it will all be lost.
The dexter from that TD will be reused for a light utility/motorcycle/atv transporter.
working on it wrote:Lucky J wrote:[list][*]
I don't agree that a leaf spring axle is too "bouncy" to ride right, and that only Timbren axles, or torsion axles are the way to go. I like, trust, and have easily repaired leaf spring axles, before, and wouldn't write them off to history, as being out-dated .......
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