Trailer Build Help: Independent Axle Options?

[PretendMechanic]

I'm building a light duty small 5x8ish trailer and need low ground clearance and independent suspension. It will be constructed out of square tubing and start it's life as an open deck trailer. Will upgrade it to enclosed in the future continuing with a square tubing frame.

The more I search regarding axles, I just find more and more manufacturers, and don't know where to begin.

I like this style of design that allows to adjust ride height and has independent suspension. I also like how simple it is to affix to a trailer. I believe they are called "Rubber Torsion Half Axle". The one pictured is called Flexiride and made by Universal Group

I see many manufacturers make this type of axle, with prices varying wildly.

I'll only be pulling less than 500 lbs including the trailer for now, so nothing heavy duty is required. Though my trailer will be able to support the towing capacity of my vehicle, which is about 1600 lbs. So I'd like to look for something around that capacity. Easy bolt on brakes for future upgrading is also a factor.

Is there a known quality US brand? Only prefer US for ease of parts availability, I don't care where the product is made as long as it's quality. Cost is a big factor.

Are there any other designs of axles that I should be looking at?

Yes, I thought about buying a pre-built trailer, nothing on the market suits my niche needs.

 

[mike93lx]

Have you looked at timbren axleless?

Those flexirise units look nice and seem pretty reasonably priced too

 

[kerrynzl]

I'm building a light duty small 5x8ish trailer and need low ground clearance and independent suspension. It will be constructed out of square tubing and start it's life as an open deck trailer. Will upgrade it to enclosed in the future continuing with a square tubing frame.

The more I search regarding axles, I just find more and more manufacturers, and don't know where to begin.

I like this style of design that allows to adjust ride height and has independent suspension. I also like how simple it is to affix to a trailer. I believe they are called "Rubber Torsion Half Axle". The one pictured is called Flexiride and made by Universal Group

I see many manufacturers make this type of axle, with prices varying wildly.

I'll only be pulling less than 500 lbs including the trailer for now, so nothing heavy duty is required. Though my trailer will be able to support the towing capacity of my vehicle, which is about 1600 lbs. So I'd like to look for something around that capacity. Easy bolt on brakes for future upgrading is also a factor.

Is there a known quality US brand? Only prefer US for ease of parts availability, I don't care where the product is made as long as it's quality. Cost is a big factor.

Are there any other designs of axles that I should be looking at?

Yes, I thought about buying a pre-built trailer, nothing on the market suits my niche needs.

To get that style really low... swap left to right [so you have leading arms] then clock the arms on the splines to be above horizontal at normal ride height.
This way the arms arc rearward when the suspension is compressed over bumps

edit: If you add brakes to these, a leading arm is more efficient than a trailing arm as brake torque will transfer more weight to the pavement

 

[BFBOB]

I replaced the leaf-spring axle on my 3600 lb 5x12 cargo with the full-axle version of this rubber torsion arrangement, and it works great for me. I ordered the stub-axle position I needed, about the same as your pix, and got the trailer to sit about 3" higher, solving a tail-dragging problem I'd had for years at a dip in my driveway.
It also made it possible for me to move it around by hand standing upright rather than hunched over destroying my back.
Those were the reasons for going that way, but another benefit is that it's much less bouncy than the leaf springs - almost like it has shock absorbers. Wasn't cheap - twice the price of a leaf spring axle, but well worth it to me.

It's a Dexter. Special order, but got to my distributor in under a week

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

I've been kicking around the idea of building a trailer, so I've been doing some research on this very topic. Based on what I've seen, Dexter is the big fish in torsion axles, but you have a full length axle under the trailer. The Timbren looks nice as they don't have the full axle and they are available with drop spindles, which will help you keep things low.......they are pricey though!

I'm not needing to go low, so I think I'm going to stick with a traditional axle setup. My goal is to go for robust and ease of repair, so I'm leaning towards a Dexter or Rockwell leaf sprung setup.

 

[koditten]

To get that style really low... swap left to right [so you have leading arms] then clock the arms on the splines to be above horizontal at normal ride height.
This way the arms arc rearward when the suspension is compressed over bumps

edit: If you add brakes to these, a leading arm is more efficient than a trailing arm as brake torque will transfer more weight to the pavement

Not quite right.

Those axles always need to be angled to the rear for proper function.

Those are made for electric brakes that you can add anytime.

 

[kerrynzl]

Not quite right.

Those axles always need to be angled to the rear for proper function.

Those are made for electric brakes that you can add anytime.

I am exactly right.........It is basic trigonometry

eg: If you had an 8" trailing arm that pointed down 3" below horizontal, it would arc rearward 0.58" if it was compressed 3" to horizontal.

If you had an 8" leading arm that was horizontal, it would arc rearward 0.58" if it was compressed 3" above horizontal.

The main difference is the 3" lower ride height of the latter example.

Brake torque has a lesser tendency to lock up the wheels with leading arms.

Edit: The only caveat here is. To convert to leading arms you must swap Left to Right and not flip the same side upside down due to the load bearing shape of the internal torsion/rubber assembly on some brands of torsion axles [early Duratorque]

 

[HOTFR8]

I have similar axles on my enclosed car trailer.
View media item 50892All six wheels are independant.

 

[BD1]

Have you considered finding what you want and just buying ? Duplicate ?
Unless you can get materials free or crazy cheap, it's hard to build for what you can buy. I agree with building IF you can't get what you want.
I can buy a trailer ready to use for what materials cost. The larger manufacturers get deals on all materials and axles.
I've bought from etrailer and they have great prices. Replaces axles and suspension on many.
https://www.etrailer.com/trailer-suspension


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[koditten]

I am exactly right.........It is basic trigonometry

eg: If you had an 8" trailing arm that pointed down 3" below horizontal, it would arc rearward 0.58" if it was compressed 3" to horizontal.

If you had an 8" leading arm that was horizontal, it would arc rearward 0.58" if it was compressed 3" above horizontal.

The main difference is the 3" lower ride height of the latter example.

Brake torque has a lesser tendency to lock up the wheels with leading arms.

Edit: The only caveat here is. To convert to leading arms you must swap Left to Right and not flip the same side upside down due to the load bearing shape of the internal torsion/rubber assembly on some brands of torsion axles [early Duratorque]

Please post some references.

Dexter Axle does not recommend the spindle arm facing forward.

 

[kerrynzl]

Please post some references.

Dexter Axle does not recommend the spindle arm facing forward.

Dexter will not recommend what I suggest to one of their "off-the-shelf" axles and I don't blame them, due to liability issues [and redneck hackjobs]

But I had a custom "Duratorque" axle made by the manufacturer to exactly what I described.
It was for a simple 3 x motorcycle trailer, where being low was desirable.

That's when I was lectured by them, about the wheel either trailing or attacking bumps. The Irony is.....a tandem rocker equalizer leaf spring system has one axle that trails and one axle that attacks bumps.

It gets worse with single axle leaf springs with beam axles [on cheap small travel trailers which were the curse of our roads 40 years ago]
A deep arched spring would cause roll oversteer which oscillates side to side [swaying]
I have turned the springs around so the hangers are on the rear and shackles at the front and the swaying will correct itself with roll understeer[but it looks totally wrong]
The problem was the ride was a bit harsher, but larger diameter wheels will help a bit.
Torsions do not have roll steer