Suspension Type?

[Gerdo]

Are you happy with the suspension type that you have on your Teardrop?

[Ron Dickey]

I have not pulled mine yet it is shocks and leaf it is an old boat trailer.

[ALAN GEDDES]

I use leaf springs because I can get repairs or parts almost anywhere.

[Gaston]

I used a torsion axle so I wouldn't have to get parts anywhere!

[Gage]

I used a torsion axle so I wouldn't have to get parts anywhere!

Good answer.
I have leaf springs. They came on the trailer I used as a donner.

[PaulC]

Cheers
Paul

[Steve_Cox]

For the most part the only trailers I've seen along side the road were POS trailers with leaf springs, flat tires or wheel bearings that were not maintained. If I was to build an off road trailer it would probably have a 3500# axle, 2000# leaf springs and shocks. I like my independent suspension Flexiride axle, the only plans I have to take it off the pavement is when I back into a campsite.

[Ma3tt]

My original torsion axle went out after 58 years, luckily in the driveway, the Tear did look nice lowered 4". So I guess if your building a tear with a torsion axle plan on replacing it in 57 years!

[doug hodder]

Sort of a Ford VS Chevy thing....I've done 3 with springs, because I can walk in and buy the axle right now, but have built lots of smaller utility trailers with springs and torsion axles...If you want a heavier duty trailer, you can always stick in a new pair of heavier springs, provided you have the frame for it, which is cheaper than a whole axle assembly, but this assumes you're talking about a custom build, not a frame out of a box. I miscalculated the unbuilt weight on my first one and hammered it out on the highway...way too fast on rough highway...a 12$ fix in Minden got me home and I slipped in a new pair of stronger springs. .....Doug

[Denny Unfried]

Leaf's on mine for most of the reasons mentioned above.

I think many leaf failures are caused by builders tightening the shackle bolts to tight to where the leaf can't swivel on the bolts which will certainly break a leaf eventually. Also bolts should be inspected and lubed periodically to prevent wear. Should be done much more often if you're an off road-er.

[dwgriff1]

Agree with Doug. Both can work well.

I own a collection of trailers (travel, flat bed tandem, box, tear) half with springs and half with torsion. No problems with any of them.

My tear is a torsion axle. My next tear (if there is one) might have either, depending on other factors.

dave

[JunkMan]

I've got trailers with both. I prefer the torsion axel on the tear because it is cleaner, and I can get the ride height where I want it (low) easier.

I've broken several springs over the years, and worn out many bushings and shackles. These were all on large tandem axel flatbed trailers that had a LOT of miles on them, and were usually loaded VERY heavy.

I have a little (1000 pound capacity) utility trailer that is 30 years old and still has the original springs, and has never given me any trouble. I very rarley load it any where near capacity (usually just haul the garden tractor with it), but have had it maxed out a few times.