spring axle upgrade or change to Torsion axle

fj12ryder wrote:

TxGearhead wrote:
Not an answer to your question but it gives me a chance to spout off.
I don't understand why trailer manufactures don't offer torsion axles as an option. Maybe some do and I'm not aware. I have them on 2 other trailers...dual axle boat trailer and single axle utility trailer. I like them. And while I'm just spouting off, I don't understand why Dexter doesn't offer Vault hubs, they own the company now. Torsion axle, Vault, and disc brakes would end a lot of our troubles.
...as you were...carry on.

It would mayhap end a lot of our troubles, but at a substantial rise in build costs. Since most trailer owners probably move their trailer relatively few miles overall, these costs may seem unnecessary.

=Options=, FJ, options. Let the user decide how they want to use the trailer and what will fit them best and how much they want to spend. Someone who wants to move 2x a year doesn't need IS; someone who moves weekly, would be a huge benefit. Hell, just look at the issue with 15" and 16" wheels/tires. =Finally=, in just the past 2 years, or so, mfrs are offering options on even lighter weight rigs to get 16" wheels from the factory. Do we =need= them? Not always, but it sure gives an owner a lot more tire options, doesn't it? (I'd've paid for this option were I ordering my FW, but I bought off the lot, so am stuck with the 15's.) Solar. How nice would it be to have even a 100w solar charger? Disk brakes? Again, for the "casual" user, not really necessary, but for an owner that likes to move a lot, or long distances, they'd sure be handy, don't you think? Upgraded multi-stage power converters? The list goes on.

Lyle

TxGearhead wrote:
Not an answer to your question but it gives me a chance to spout off.
I don't understand why trailer manufactures don't offer torsion axles as an option. Maybe some do and I'm not aware. I have them on 2 other trailers...dual axle boat trailer and single axle utility trailer. I like them. And while I'm just spouting off, I don't understand why Dexter doesn't offer Vault hubs, they own the company now. Torsion axle, Vault, and disc brakes would end a lot of our troubles.
...as you were...carry on.

It would mayhap end a lot of our troubles, but at a substantial rise in build costs. Since most trailer owners probably move their trailer relatively few miles overall, these costs may seem unnecessary.

TxGearhead wrote:
Not an answer to your question but it gives me a chance to spout off.
I don't understand why trailer manufactures don't offer torsion axles as an option. Maybe some do and I'm not aware. I have them on 2 other trailers...dual axle boat trailer and single axle utility trailer. I like them. And while I'm just spouting off, I don't understand why Dexter doesn't offer Vault hubs, they own the company now. Torsion axle, Vault, and disc brakes would end a lot of our troubles.
...as you were...carry on.

Add that to the long, LONG list of idiocy in the RV industry...

Lyle

Not an answer to your question but it gives me a chance to spout off.
I don't understand why trailer manufactures don't offer torsion axles as an option. Maybe some do and I'm not aware. I have them on 2 other trailers...dual axle boat trailer and single axle utility trailer. I like them. And while I'm just spouting off, I don't understand why Dexter doesn't offer Vault hubs, they own the company now. Torsion axle, Vault, and disc brakes would end a lot of our troubles.
...as you were...carry on.

You should have shocks on your 29-5T. Maybe replace them with better ones. Also what are you running for tires? If you're running G rated are they maxed out at 110 psi?
And have you posted your question on the NROA forum. There's others their with your 5th wheel that could maybe shed some light on your situation.
http://www.nroa2003.com/forum/forum

I don't have any experience with Dexter Torflex but did the change to MorRyde IS last fall. I also changed the Dexter Never Lube hubs and disc brakes to Kodiak stuff. We pulled it 800 miles back home and the difference in ride was pretty significant. My goal for doing this on a 6 year old rv is to make it last as long as possible by giving it the best ride possible over some of our nasty roads. I will never recover my investment but at my age I consider that my kid's problem.

I think axle placement makes a difference as well. Units that have the axles more towards the center of the trailer have more bounce, especially at the rear verses units with the axles more towards the rear of the trailer.

Bounce can also be caused by having axles or tires with a much higher capacity than the current loading. Arctic Foxes usually have a pretty high cargo capacity so maybe you just need more weight.;)

My experience with 4 different leaf spring units is that the ride is very unpredictable. My current unit rides great even with an old fashion solid equalizer. But a previous unit was so bad I had Morryde install their IS system which is comparable to torsion axles. The change was dramatic. Another leaf spring unit did good with a rubber equalizer.

I've had two units with torsion axles and they both rode great. If I ever get another leaf spring unit that doesn't ride well , I will do exactly what you are considering. But I will get disc brakes as well.