Cargo Trailer: Spring or Torsion axels?

[Kidd]

A question:

I will be buying/ordering a single axel cargo trailer in the near future and am wondering if the torsion axels are worth the extra bucks versus the standard spring axels. I will be hauling a motorcycle, bicycles and golf clubs and will be traveling on paved roads 90%, or more, of the time. Also, the weight I’m carrying will be far under the GVW of the trailer.

Would appreciate any comments.

Thanks in advance.

[Eric Wettschreck]

My opinion- Torsion axles are WAY worth the extra money.

The trailer ride is so much smoother it's amazing. What every you're hauling around in the trailer will really appreciate the smoother ride.

[gizmoguy]

torsion way better

[Kidd]

Thanks for the replies fella's. I'll problably go with the torsion axels.

[Whoaru99]

If ride quality for the goods in the trailer is prime consideration wouldn't one want a trailer that doesn't have a bunch of excess capacity?

[Macgyver55]

In addition to a better ride, you have the bonus of no maintenance.

Spring bushings, shackles and bolts are wear items on a spring style axle whereas there is no maintenance on a torsion axle.

[Gus]

Just curious, anyone had a torsion axle go bad?

My sled trailer is 11 or 12 years old now and seems like it's in good shape. No complaints from me, but I can't help but wonder sometimes.

[efgh]

I had one go bad,borrowed the trailer to a guy who was hauling railroad ties and he overloaded it and tore the axle shaft loose from the square axle tube that that spans the area between the wheels. When he brought it back he said he only had 30 ties on it. What a moron. Those creosote ties weigh about 150 lbs. each=4500 lbs.

[Macgyver55]

I actually am in the process of replacing mine. Its 18 years old and it developed a crack in the axle tube (due to salt corrosion). Aside from that its been flawless even after being overloaded many times over the years but easily handled the rated weight.

[Kidd]

Well I did it. Pulled the trigger on an all aluminum cargo trailer with the Dexter torsion axle. Thanks to all of you for the comments.

[Eric Wettschreck]

Can we borrow it?

[LightningBG]

Just curious, anyone had a torsion axle go bad?

My sled trailer is 11 or 12 years old now and seems like it's in good shape. No complaints from me, but I can't help but wonder sometimes.

I have a sled trailer that had an axle go bad. The tube rusted most of the way through right in the center. I was able to buy a perfect fit Dexter replacement at a place off of Stinson in Mpls. The trailer was probably about 17 years old. The new axle cost about $225 or so, if my memory serves me correctly. Just keep an eye out for heavy rust on the tube and you should be fine.

[knoppers]

I had one of my torsion axles on my boat trailer go bad, 2008 tandem trailer, when done, the new one cost me 700 bucks installed. yes they are a better ride, and great for things like boats, but 700 bucks, WOW! and this was at a lower priced shop, with a unpainted axle. the delivery was 100 bucks, since most shops don't carry them in stock. but I still would go with the torsion.

[LightningBG]

Doesn't surprise me that it cost $700. Probably would have cost the same to so a replacement spring axle.

When I did mine, it was SUPER easy. I had it ordered from the store near Stinson and gave them the EXACT measurements. I'm not sure if it was a standard bolt pattern or if they ordered it custom. I told them to just put it on the next shipment coming. I picked it up and was able to install it in probably under an hour. All the holes matched perfectly. Just had to pop in the bolts and crank them down.