Trailer Torsion Axle Help

[jonhdw]

Hey guys, I just bought my first trailer the other day for hauling the camping gear on road trips, and I’m wondering if this torsion axle looks normal to you for a small trailer like this. It bounced quite a bit on the way home, but I attributed that to the fact that it was empty and the tires are 14 years old. I knew the tires needed to be replaced but the more I look at the axle I think that might be bad too.

The wheel looks centered in the wheel well so I didn’t immediately think anything was wrong. But with my weight in the trailer it hardly moves down at all. Also when I pick the trailer up the wheels only drop about 1/4”. And the torsion arm points upwards. This is an option on the AL-KO website so that might be normal. What do you guys think?

 

[930dreamer]

I don't see anything alarming in the pics, a small trailer will bounce a lot empty. Is the frame rail cut out above the torsion arm in the pic?

 

[Bruce Amacker]

Maybe a Dexter torsion axle- I've had several of them with good luck, have 2 right now including a tandem. I had one similar to yours, they offer an electric brake kit which I installed for safety. The mounting bolts are much newer than 14 years, why was it apart?

 

[Captain Spaulding]

I don’t see anything concerning. On small trailers, you often have to adjust tire pressure to load to avoid bouncing when empty or lightly loaded. The tire manufacturer can often provide a pressure vs. load chart, but a rule of thumb is 5psi change in air pressure results in a 100lb load rating change. The weight number stamped on the tire is at maximum pressure, so you can adjust from there.

 

[mike93lx]

Torsion axles are available at various angles to set ride height.

If the axles aren't contacting anything and the wheel is centered in the wheel well properly, it is probably fine.

Torsion axles do bounce when lightly loaded. If it won't see decent loads, you might consider a lighter rated axle at some point

 

[jonhdw]

I don't see anything alarming in the pics, a small trailer will bounce a lot empty. Is the frame rail cut out above the torsion arm in the pic?

The arm sits outside the frame so it can swing unimpeded. The body of the trailer is cut out around the arm as well by design it appears. It just seems to be way higher than it should be and there’s no spring in it when I sit inside.

 

[jonhdw]

Maybe a Dexter torsion axle- I've had several of them with good luck, have 2 right now including a tandem. I had one similar to yours, they offer an electric brake kit which I installed for safety. The mounting bolts are much newer than 14 years, why was it apart?

I’m not sure I know what you mean by the mounting bolts being new. This trailer was apparently never taken on the road and only used for light duty stuff around a golf course. So by looking at it I’d be surprised if it ever saw rain. It’s definitely never seen salt from the roads haha. Too clean for that.

 

[jonhdw]

I don’t see anything concerning. On small trailers, you often have to adjust tire pressure to load to avoid bouncing when empty or lightly loaded. The tire manufacturer can often provide a pressure vs. load chart, but a rule of thumb is 5psi change in air pressure results in a 100lb load rating change. The weight number stamped on the tire is at maximum pressure, so you can adjust from there.

Gotcha. Thanks for the tip!

 

[jonhdw]

Torsion axles are available at various angles to set ride height.

If the axles aren't contacting anything and the wheel is centered in the wheel well properly, it is probably fine.

Torsion axles do bounce when lightly loaded. If it won't see decent loads, you might consider a lighter rated axle at some point

Thanks, I did see that AL-KO makes -20 degree arms but I have no way of knowing what these were originally. I guess I assumed they had sagged that far. Plus they don’t seem to move any further down when I bounce inside the trailer. I’m only 200 lbs so maybe it’s not enough weight to see movement in the arm?

 

[BFBOB]

When I switched from leaf springs to a torsion axle on my 5x12 utility, I noticed exactly what you're seeing. More bouncy when empty, less sag with a given load. In my case, the load rating was exactly the same for new and old axles; just the nature of the beast.
I chose the arm angle to make the trailer sit about 2-3" higher; that cured its tail dragging on my driveway. On balance, I like it better than springs, though I'm considering adding shock absorbers.

 

[jonhdw]

Awesome thanks BFBOB. I will have to play with it more once the BMV is back open and I can get it registered. So far I’ve only driven it empty a few miles to get it home after I bought it.

 

[bctexas]

I have an aluminum utility trailer with a 2200 lb rated torsion axle. The trailer itself only weighs 400-450 lbs including the axle. Empty, it does bounce. But with a 1200 lb car on it, it rides smooth as silk. One thing I really like is that the axle is silent. Most leaf spring axle trailers I have used (especially older ones) sound like you are hauling a barrel of rocks behind you. I think you are golden - looks like a nice trailer!

Happy Motoring!

 

[jonhdw]

Thanks bctexas! Sweet car!

One thing I keep reading is to test a torsion axle you should lift the trailer so the tire is off the ground and see how much the tire drops as you lift. Apparently the tire should drop at least an inch or two but mine only drops about 1/4”. Does this indicate the axle has seized in place or anything?

 

[SeisMec]

I’m not sure I know what you mean by the mounting bolts being new. This trailer was apparently never taken on the road and only used for light duty stuff around a golf course. So by looking at it I’d be surprised if it ever saw rain. It’s definitely never seen salt from the roads haha. Too clean for that.

I agree with Bruce, the brassy colored bolt looks newer in the middle picture than the torsion bar - which has chipped paint and slight rust.

 

[bctexas]

Thanks for the kind words jonhdw!

I really doubt that axle would droop a couple inches by just lifting that light trailer off of it. If the trailer is sitting level, and there is no slop in the trailing arm when unloaded, I think it is a safe bet that the trailing arm is still securely embedded in its rubber casing and you are good to go. Its really a very simple device.

Looks like Dexter bought out Al-Ko's US business. If you aren't sure about your axle, I would get in touch with Dexter and ask them.

 

[jonhdw]

Thanks for all the help guys! And of course you are all correct, the axle is supposed to have that negative angle according to Dexter, so thanks for that tip bctexas! It might be a little worn down but not as bad as I thought initially so thanks again all!