canoe on top
Denver, CO, US
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The way you plan to use the TT can influence the type of suspension that might be best. If you plan to stay on the pavement indepenent suspension might work better for the reasons mentioned above. If you plan to boondock, leaf springs usually have greater clearance and can be "lifted" much more easily than torsion suspension. With solid axles and leaf springs, if you decide you want more clearance than stock, it is easy to have the springs mounted on top of the axles and gain 3-4".
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surveyorjp
Missouri
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CRAMD wrote:surveyorjp wrote:I have seen torsion axle suspensions on some very heavy duty construction type trailers built to handle loads far greater than our RV trailers. They obviously can handle the loads.
I would respectfully like to disagree with that statement, from my own experience.
I have hauled loads on construction trailers with torsion type axles, and wouldn't have one again if I got it free.
The one I used was taken off road frequently (rural natural gas line maintenance), as well as being towed to job sites on paved roads which were deteriorating rather badly, and rough gravel roads.The combination totaled the suspension on one of the wheels on a tandem axle trailer.The rubber suspension component inside the axle was pounded out, and we couldn't keep a tire on that corner of the trailer without it wearing out due to not being in alignment. The trailer was well within its max weight rating (12,000 pound trailer rating,10,000 lbs +/- about 500 lbs actual weight).An S175 Bobcat, with a backhoe attachment and a dirt bucket was the usual load. One of the guys I worked with was a heavy duty mechanic at one time, with a lot more exposure to this type of suspension than what I had.He said torsion suspension may be great on good paved roads, but didn't seem to hold up to off road, or rough road usage, and from what I experienced, he was right.With the job I had, sticking to good paved roads was impossible-the nearest paved road could be 20 miles away from where I needed to be.
And from my own experiences, I would have to disagree with you.
I have worked with, and hauled many heavy loads with a dump trailer equipped with a torsion axle suspension. This trailer weighs 4000 lbs by itself, and has hauled in excess of 10,000 lbs of various materials on numerous occasions. This has included some off road duty, and rough ground, and the trailer keeps coming back for more.
This trailer I mentioned was overbuilt, with a heavy frame to support the dump bed. The axles put underneath it are also heavy, and I believe were rated to hold 7,000 to 8,000 lbs a piece. It kind of sounds like to me (just my opinion), the trailer you mention didn't have axles underneath it that were rated heavy enough for the loads placed upon them. Just a guess on my part, I have no proof. Perhaps on the roughest of rough ground like you mention, the torsion suspension can fail. Of course leaf springs and shackles can fail as well if mistreated.
For the majority of RVers, the pavement is the primary route travelled. For off road rving, the added clearance of springs and shackles would likely be a better choice. For me, the low center of gravity and smooth stability make torsion axles a better choice.
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CRAMD
Saskatchewan,Canada
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surveyorjp wrote:It kind of sounds like to me (just my opinion), the trailer you mention didn't have axles underneath it that were rated heavy enough for the loads placed upon them.
You may well be correct about the axles not having a heavy enough rating.I know that the trailer I mentioned was less than 2 years old when the suspension on one corner failed .The trailer was not abused, as there was a very limited number of people who pulled it (2), and they both worked for me, so I knew how the trailer was used.I also agree that spring suspensions can fail, and have indeed seen it happen, but that trailer was over 30 years old.I will stay biased towards spring suspensions.
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SteveRankin
Sequim, WA
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Fortkentdad wrote:Wow - good info and quick, cudos to the RV.NET users.
I will be adding a quality suspension system to my list of "must haves" for my trailer shopping. One thing I've noticed in my internet research - many manufacturers do not say much about the system unless it is the "independant" torsion system, one did say they had the the equalizers.
Thanks for adding to my RV Education. I want to be a reasonably well informed RV buyer when the time comes.
I hate to puncture your bubble, but I just noticed that your TV is a 1/2-ton truck. With the exception of Airstream and Award, I think you'll be very hard pressed to find a quality suspension on a trailer that's light enough to tow with a 1/2-ton truck.
It's easy to upgrade to the HD kit & a fancy equalizer for a reasonable sum after you buy the TT.
Steve & C. J.
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surveyorjp
Missouri
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SteveRankin wrote:
I hate to puncture your bubble, but I just noticed that your TV is a 1/2-ton truck. With the exception of Airstream and Award, I think you'll be very hard pressed to find a quality suspension on a trailer that's light enough to tow with a 1/2-ton truck.
Surveyor has torsion axles. I don't know if that meets your criteria as a "quality suspension", but it does to me.
They offer many 1/2 ton towable trailers, in fact the majority of their trailers are 1/2 ton towable.
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Airstreamer67
Pineville, LA USA
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I've been towing with torsion-axled travel trailers for more than 20 years and they do perform extremely well on the highway. The low center-of-gravity and independent-wheel suspension characteristics make the trailer handle like a sports car of travel trailers. Of course, I don't regularly travel on unpaved roads with my trailers, and I wouldn't do so with a low-slung Corvette either.
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Fortkentdad
Alberta Canada
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My bubble is not yet burst  .
The half ton towables I've looked at have all of the above styles of suspension. I would say most have been leaf springs. Some have the torsion-axle and at least one had the rubber thingamajig between the wheels.
My TV is a new '08 Dodge 1500. The TV has the factory tow package, 3.92 axle and is manufacturer rated for a max tow load of 8,350. I expect I'll have a few hundred pounds of people and stuff in the truck. We weighed it recently on a weekend away and total truck with us and stuff was about 5,800, so allowing 6K for the truck, my max trailer drops to 8K as the CGVW is 14K.
Therefore I consider trailers that have a GVWR of under 8,000 as "towable" the more under - the more desirable. This means "dry" weights are about 5,000, the closer to 5K the better. Those that push 6K dry are just a little too heavy. I do not want to tow much more than 7,200 - I'm hoping 800# is a minimum fair margin of safety. And yes we will be adding break controls to the truck. Feel free to disagree with my idea of "safe margin".
and . . . Why is it that those trailers which are just outside my tow limits capture the imagination of my dearly beloved? 
Anyway, . . .
On the top of our short list is a Fleetwood Prowler with "Joy Ride Rubberized Suspension". I'm looking at the 250CkS - dry at 5600 with GVWR of 7600. Salesmen all tell us we would never load a whole Ton of water and stuff into a trailer (it is just the two of us). Comes in at $28.500 CDN, including stabalizer hitch and brake controls installed and set up. With optional rocker recliners and table and chairs instead of booth, the total sleeping capacity drops to TWO - a bonus according to my wife.
The Heartland Sundance 280RL @ 5290 dry has the leaf spring suspension. Heartland's brags about the benefit of their "wide track" suspenstion (wheels set further appart than usual). The Sundance has 14" tires. It is also the lowest priced unit we are considering at $22,900 CDN.
Also under considerationg is a Spree 261RKS. KZ claimes "heavy duty leaf springs" and "heavy duty steel wheels" and 15" tires. (pricey though at $32K)
And the Okanogan ECL25RKS, a Canadian made trailer it is most costly - but you do get what you pay for, or so my papa told me. Dry weight is 5251#. They have "Dexter Rubber Torsion Axles w/10" brakes" and 15" tires. It is listed at $40K - that is for a new 2007. I expect this unit is ripe for a good deal, wait until the snow starts next month. (I live in northern Canada, ya' know that place with 9 months of winter and three months of tough sledding)
Finally, although no longer on my short list, the Thor Industries Komfort Koach 241TS which weighs in at 5513, rides on the "E-Z Flex suspension". The Komfort Koach looks like a very well made trailer, but my wife did not find the sofa "komfortable" and it does not have the neo-angle shower we want, hence it did not make the "short list".
As for 16" tires - the best I've seen is 15" - some are 14". I only see 16 on fivers.
Any comments on my short list will be appreciated.
Fort Kent Dad aka FKD
Fort Kent, Alberta Canada
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amxpress
Clayton, NC
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You will find lighter TT's & 5'ers with the torsion suspension. Heavier trailers will use leaf springs.
Torsion suspension give a better ride and usually allow the trailer to have a lower center of gravity, or lower to the ground. This will help with handling while towing. I see many trailers that seem to have a lot of road clearance, all with leaf srpings.
Airstream has been using the torsion suspension for years, so I don't agree with the "they wear out" syndrome I've read.
You can improve the ride quality of leaf spring suspension by using Mor-Ryde or Trailaire Equa-Flex suspensions. If you find a trailer you like, don't let the suspension be a negative point.
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willald
NC
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As already noted, you find the Torsion independent suspension style axles, only on the nice, higher end trailers. All I can say is....Ask yourself why, and you have the answer to your question here.
As one that has owned trailers with both leaf springs, and now with rubber Torsion axles....Lets just say, I'll not own another trailer with leaf springs if I can possibly avoid it. Torsion axles give you soooo much smoother and stable ride, nowhere near as much 'bounce'...And, much quieter as well (ever hear a leaf-sprung trailer when it goes over a bump? squeak, squeak..)
Leaf springs with solid axles, has been the way axles have been built since the beginning of time, almost. Its the cheapest, easiest way to build a trailer suspension, which is why its so popular. But, its also the worst handling of the two. There are several ways to improve a leaf sprung suspension and make them ride smoother, as SteveRankin illustrated so well. However, IMO, the best way to improve a leaf sprung trailer, is to remove the axles and springs completely and put on rubber Torsion axles. 
Anyway, if you can possibly find a trailer that can be had with Torsion axles, I'd highly recommend you go that route.
* This post was
edited 08/18/08 06:23am by willald *
Will & Angela
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Ductape
On the Road
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Ditto on the above. BTDT, towed 'em all.
Surveyor SV-234 >Equalizer> H3
Previously a fiver crew.
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