Posted 2012-11-15 6:41 PM (#148339) Subject: torsion axel vs. spring suspension
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 504
Are there any benefits to spring suspension? I looked at that two-horse Thuro-bilt trailer. It's two-horse slant bp - about 15 feet long box and possibly 2000 pounds (though that sounds a little low to me).
Would just be a run around trailer and probably on some rough roads - off road.
I know there have been threads but can't find them so must be outside the 360-days.
Posted 2012-11-16 9:40 AM (#148360 - in reply to #148339) Subject: RE: torsion axel vs. spring suspension
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 399 Location: Ottawa, Illinois 61350
Rubber torsion axles don't have the wear points that spring suspension has. A big factor is that when you have a flat tire with a torsion axle, you can pull your good tire up on a small ramp (you can buy these or make your own out of different lengths of 2x6 lumber). When your wheel pulls onto the "ramp"; it'll lift the tire and wheel that's flat, so that you can take it off w/o having to use a jack.
When you have a flat with a spring axle, and you try to "ramp" up the good tire, the axle with the flat on it is simply going to drop when you pull onto the 'ramp". You have to carry a jack to use on a spring axle.
Posted 2012-11-19 11:50 AM (#148441 - in reply to #148339) Subject: RE: torsion axel vs. spring suspension
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 455 Location: Texas
In my opinion, spring axles have a big advantage over rubber torsion axles in rough or off-road conditions. Exactly as stated previously, the spring axles work together to contour the ground, equalizing the pressure. Torsion axles work independently, so all the weight of the trailer will be on one axle from time to time.
Posted 2012-11-19 1:56 PM (#148447 - in reply to #148339) Subject: RE: torsion axel vs. spring suspension
Veteran
Posts: 127 Location: rapid city sd
unless you spend the majority of your time in the pasture, torsion, torsion, torsion. I have customers with 30 miles of rock road into their places and have 100,000 plus miles on the trailers, torsion axels.
Posted 2012-11-19 5:22 PM (#148453 - in reply to #148447) Subject: RE: torsion axel vs. spring suspension
Member
Posts: 16
Have trailers with both and I would choose torsion axles everytime. The only thing I would choose over it would be air ride. Less bounce equals less abuse to your trailer and animals.
Posted 2012-11-20 4:25 PM (#148493 - in reply to #148339) Subject: RE: torsion axel vs. spring suspension
Veteran
Posts: 183 Location: riverside ca
Another huge factor for me is that spring axles all use the same spindles where as torsion axles have a million different spindles. what does this mean? if you ever need to replace a hub on the side of the road forget it if you have torsion axles... they are normally 2-4 weeks out. if you have leaf sprung axles they are on the self in most parts houses.
Posted 2012-11-21 8:25 AM (#148506 - in reply to #148339) Subject: RE: torsion axel vs. spring suspension
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 504
So, as for the comfort of the horse while riding in the trailer, are torsion axels a lot smoother on normal roads? Do they provide a smoother ride on rough roads?
Posted 2012-11-21 10:50 AM (#148512 - in reply to #148339) Subject: RE: torsion axel vs. spring suspension
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 534 Location: Zionsville, Indiana
Some days I just can't keep my mouth shut, but there are two false statements in this thread.
1. Torsion axles are no more likely to bend than spring axles. All axles usually bend at the end of the spindle, either from overloading or a hit from a curb or pothole.
2. The same hubs, bearings, brakes, etc. fit a torsion axle or a spring axle, and the spindles are exactly the same, assuming both axles are the same weight capacity thus same bearings, hub diameter, etc.
(There is a Dexter Neverlube axle that uses a capsule for bearings and takes a different hub, but these axles are rarely seen, and the parts are difficult to find. We carry the bearing capsules but not the hubs as they are cost prohibitive and the demand is very rare even for the bearing capsules)
torsion axel vs. spring suspension
