To go torsion or not??

[PhantomCat]

So her is the story...we were coming home from West when I hit a huge pot hole just outside of Pablo on hwy 93. Kicked the trailer sideways and I looked back in the mirror and seen that the left side trailer tire had a bit more camber to it than normal...stopped in Ronan and it was bent in at the top but still looked pull able. So continued on and got just about to Dayton when the tire let loose and bounced the trailer and sleds up and down 3 to 4 times...put on the spare and good thing I brought my portable air compressor cause the spare was flat!! Noticed that when the tire blew it took out the wiring for the lights...uuuugh...ok..maybe I can limp it home...well got down the road about half a mile and decided to check the lug nuts just to make sure the spare was holding air and noticed that the tire was sitting at a 45 degree angle...ok enough is enough..called a tow truck.

So here is my questions.....will a torsion axle bend when a tire blows as my old axle did? If I was to go with a torsion axle what would be a good one to get for hauling two sleds...trailer will be towed in snow..ice..dry pavement and some off road. I know that they have different rates on the torsion loading and I am not sure on what all the rates mean or do.

Would I be better getting a strait axle with springs and hubs as a complete assembly?

Sleds and trailer(home made with steel and plywood) come in around 1500lbs.

Do you run torsion...if so...love it..hate it.. it's ok????

Thank you for your knowledge and impute!!
Glenn

 

[hornson3]

I would think that there is a torsion axle that would work just fine. Any good trailer store should be able to hook you up with what you need or at least get you the info you are looking for.

 

[Blk88GT]

I have a torsion race trailer, a torsion sled hauler, and a leaf equipment hauler, given the choice, I'd go torsion on everything.

 

[PhantomCat]

I have a torsion race trailer, a torsion sled hauler, and a leaf equipment hauler, given the choice, I'd go torsion on everything.

Do you feel they ride better? Do they handle the load better in the same situations as a springer? I guess what I am getting at is why are they better!

 

[Blk88GT]

I've broken leaf springs on the springer and the load bounces all over the place. The load is much more stable on a torsion, IMHO.

No broken leafs, no pivot points to maintain etc, it's a no brainer IMHO.

 

[94fordguy]

I used to have a 2-place Triton with a torsion axle, then traded up to an Aluma 4-place with dual torsion axles, both my riding buddies own leaf-spring 2 place trailers and all 3 of us agree that the torsion axles ride and handle the bumps MUCH smoother.

 

[KSH]

Torsion will give you the better ride. I have a 20 year old torsion sled trailer that is still in great shape.

Springs if your going to overload it and abuse it.

We had to replace the torsion axles on our equipment trailer with springs. The torsion's did not like to be overloaded and abused. They started peeling the tires off.


JMO

 

[PhantomCat]

Thanks Seth and Roger...that is good information!! I am still torn on what to do...

For the ease of just bolting things up and cost I like the springer set up..but from what it sounds like from you all..the way to go is going to be with the torsion.......uggg...decisions decisions!!!

The only abuse this trailer is gonna see is a pot hole outside of Pablo.....well and some 4x4in through some pow

Still looking for folks impute here...so keep the responses coming please

 

[customfarmer]

If you go torsion, just make sure to get one rated for your weight, plus a little to compensate for the G load of hitting potholes, frost heaves etc. As was already stated they last a long time and give a better ride as long as it's not overloaded and abused.

I have a friend that races horses, that absolutely swears by the ride of a torsion axle. Says the horses legs hold up better, and don't require as much time to recoup from trailer fatigue before a race.

Don't know how much of this really matters on a sled trailer?

 

[Engine Pro 5x]

Years back we switched a Wells Cargo from leafs to torsion and the ride improved greatly !!! Now everything we have is torsion >>>>.

 

[PhantomCat]

If you go torsion, just make sure to get one rated for your weight, plus a little to compensate for the G load of hitting potholes, frost heaves etc. As was already stated they last a long time and give a better ride as long as it's not overloaded and abused.

I have a friend that races horses, that absolutely swears by the ride of a torsion axle. Says the horses legs hold up better, and don't require as much time to recoup from trailer fatigue before a race.

Don't know how much of this really matters on a sled trailer?

This is the issue I have with torsion...I have talked to my local dealer and he is not really any help..he says you need one to go with the weight of the trailer and sleds....so I ask, what do you recommend and he says....well....that is up to you and your use......this guy is a turd...I need to understand what the offset means and how to calculate what I need for my application!

Any ideas would be great!!! I am researching this like crazy...but just wanting my trailer to be back together...so I am going with the springer axle for now....gonna build a torsion axle to replace it...from the sounds of you guys, that is the way to go and I value your opinion one heck of a lot moar than my dealers!!

So thank you all...this is helping me very much!! Still would like to know from a technical side of the ins and outs of a torsion axle...SORRY I just gotta know!!!

Glenn

 

[Snocross 100]

Another plus of a tortion is that u have no axle dragging in the snow when you are in more than a foot of powder.

 

[Blk88GT]

What do you need to know? There are places who will make you whatever you need.

Here's the measurements required: http://www.cityspring.com/uploads/files/Torsion_Axle_Order_Form.pdf

This place is in Alberta (I've never ordered from them fwiw) but I'm sure there is something comparable in the US.

 

[PhantomCat]

Just wanted to get peeps opinions and if someone knew a chit ton of info on them I was willing to listen I have got a lot of info from some pm's and also this post!!

My biggest thing was what degree below start angle I would need and how to calculate it into laymans terms..but all has been answered and I am very appreciative of the knowledge from my fellow sledders!!!

Thanks all
Glenn

 

[philsummers21]

Run DEXTER torsion axles. You'll never be happier

 

[turbolover]

Run DEXTER torsion axles. You'll never be happier

X2

I have pulled trailers with both and the torsion axles really ride much nicer over the bumps than the springers do.

Another benefit is that if you do have a problem you can take a tire off and just limp it in with a hub hanging. A springer will want to hang down and drag on the ground.

BTW when I bought my new enclosed the Dexters came with a LIFETIME WARRANTY