Leaf Spring Vs Torsion Axle Trailer

They consist of a stack of curved springs leaves and are attached to the underside of a trailer axle.

Leaf spring vs torsion axle trailer.

In this system the axle is mounted to. The parts are replaceable and generally speaking need more maintenance than torsion axles. Here are some. Cons of rubber torsion axles for trailers.

Torsion axles are also bolted or welded directly to the trailer frame which adds stability and structure to the trailer frame. A lift or drop happens because of the no load arm start angle. Each wheel works independently from one another. For light duty trailers that need a soft ride a torsion axle is a good choice.

These cords are created to resist torsion and create suspension. A trailer to haul your show bike is a good example. They must be replaced while leaf spring axles can be repaired. However many prefer them over torsion for this very reason they can be fixed.

In general we don t recommend torsion axles for trailers over 3000 gtw. A leaf spring axle is the most common and well known axle. Torsion axles mount directly to the trailer s frame and are made up of thick rubber cords concealed inside the axle s tubing. The axles are bolted together to help transfer weight between axles when encountering uneven road terrain or an unlevel surface.

This is built in at the factory but you can specify the desired angle when buying a torsion axle. What is a leaf spring axle. There are torsion options out. Leaf springs are more durable less expensive and far easier to replace parts on.

Severely bent axle can damage trailer frame. Torsion trailer axles offer a smoother ride and less maintenance. A drop axle just allows the trailer to sit lower usually 4 for a leaf spring style. However leaf spring setups tend to be more bouncy on uneven roads and they also wear out faster and will need to be repaired more often.

Rubber cords become stiffer in colder weather. Hitting a curb full impact on one wheel or set of wheels. For heavier trailers the leaf springs provide a reasonable ride when the trailer is full. Leaf spring axles are less compact than torsion axles and take up more space and add more weight to your trailer.

So which is better torsion or spring axles. If you have more than one axle on your trailer the leaf spring system is the most dependable for even tire wear and a steady ride. Torsion axles do not use leaf springs but instead the compression of the rubber to supply the suspension support needed. Spring axles are likely the axles you have on your current trailer and are the type of suspension that most people know about for trailers.

When it comes to selecting the axles for your trailer and making the decision between spring and torsion it can be a challenging task. Trailers don t generally come stock with the torsion axle but it is an available upgrade in many models. And if you re storing your trailer on uneven ground leaf spring will hold up better over the long term due to the independent nature of each leaf spring. Leaf springs are more durable less expensive and far easier to replace parts on.

For clean and even stress distribution we almost always recommend a leaf spring trailer axle. Spring axles use the leaf springs to push back against the force of the trailer to provide cushion when impacting on uneven. The stiff competitor of the leaf spring axle is known as the torsion axle. The axle is slung over the springs in order.

The downside is that leaf spring axles need more maintenance than torsion axles do. Torsion axles cannot be repaired. No impact distribution ie.