Since I can't locate a used 7x16 narrow track enclosed trailer close by, Iv been talking to featherlite about building me one. This trailer is replacing my sold 24' featherlite toyhauler because it was to big to pull to remote locations. Since I'm considering buying new, I'm also thinking about running a single leaf spring axle because I know I will encounter deep ruts and rocks while crawling to a camp site which will eventually place the entire load on one axle. One approach would be to upgrade both axles to 7000# and then rework the leaf springs for less weight. But my latest idea would be just use a one single 7000# axle.. I also want to run 16" wheels and tire that match my 3/4 ton truck. I imagine by that point the tire weight capacity starts to become the first issue. But is this single 7k axle idea a bad idea? And should I pursue the dual 7k axles and de-leaf the springs so it doesn't bounce down the highway? Another aspect of dual leaf springs is that your limited to "trailer" leaf springs.. Where I could install any length leaf spring with a single axle. Thanks!

Why are you against using a torsion axle? It would allow the trailer wheels to move independently of each other and the torsion tube can be tucked higher up in the frame than a conventional solid axle.Think about the load floor inside the trailer. If you want to tuck the wheels within the 7' wide enclosed body, you will need to have wheel wells intruding inside the the trailer or the load floor will be sitting higher like an over deck or sled trailer. Running wheel wells will keep your vertical CG lower and load ramp angles smaller at the expense of inside obstructions and lower ground clearance.

I've had 7x16 & 8.5x16 enclosed trailers. I've dumped them both for an 83" x 14' PJ to haul my toys. I put well over 10K miles on both the enclosed and have a little over 4K on the PJ. The 7x16 and PJ have torsion springs the other leaf. After all that I'd never go back to leaf springs for 3500-7K lb trailers. I feel they ride and track better with less tire wear.Regardless your adding dirt roads or worse to the mix. Can't help you there. So I would suggest you look at all the trailer builds on Expedition Portal.

STANG23L wrote:I've had 7x16 & 8.5x16 enclosed trailers. I've dumped them both for an 83" x 14' PJ to haul my toys. I put well over 10K miles on both the enclosed and have a little over 4K on the PJ. The 7x16 and PJ have torsion springs the other leaf. After all that I'd never go back to leaf springs for 3500-7K lb trailers. I feel they ride and track better with less tire wear.Regardless your adding dirt roads or worse to the mix. Can't help you there. So I would suggest you look at all the trailer builds on Expedition Portal.Thanks. Expedition Portal is where Iv read about torsion axles failing more than leaf spring when used off-road. The aussie's have proven that and you don't see torsion axles on their serious off-road trailers. There's a discussion there between a dexter rep and a few aussie trailer builders which convinced me not to use one even though I was happy with the pair I had on my 24' THhttps://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/torsion-axle-for-camping-trailer.74901/ I think the leaf springs get a bad rap because of the extra moving parts that do wear out and need replaced every few years. Most of the Australian's are independent but trailer suspensions do not need to articulate imo. Independent also allows the trailer to sway allot more. If I built a custom suspension, it would be airbag over a straight axle on a free moving 3 link (bushings on the trailing links and a wishbone upper to eliminate the panhard) and deal with body sway via a external sway bar. Or possibly a de-leafed single leaf spring each side to located the axle with airbags. But starting out with a trailer already set up with crappy 20" leafs instead of torsion will be a plus.

Torsion axles work just fine - Just look at 50+ year old VW's still running around on the same torsion springs. If you are breaking torsion axles, you are probably also breaking leaf spring hardware and other parts. Leaf's advantage is that it is easier to fix or modify.

Bedlam wrote:Torsion axles work just fine - Just look at 50+ year old VW's still running around on the same torsion springs. If you are breaking torsion axles, you are probably also breaking leaf spring hardware and other parts. Leaf's advantage is that it is easier to fix or modify.This isn't a discussion about torsion vs leaf. It's one about single vs dual axle pro's and con's with a combined weight between 5000 and 6000#

Toyhauler with single axle bad idea? | Good Sam Community

rerod
Explorer
Jul 26, 2018
STANG23L wrote:
I've had 7x16 & 8.5x16 enclosed trailers. I've dumped them both for an 83" x 14' PJ to haul my toys. I put well over 10K miles on both the enclosed and have a little over 4K on the PJ. The 7x16 and PJ have torsion springs the other leaf. After all that I'd never go back to leaf springs for 3500-7K lb trailers. I feel they ride and track better with less tire wear.

Regardless your adding dirt roads or worse to the mix. Can't help you there. So I would suggest you look at all the trailer builds on Expedition Portal.

Thanks. Expedition Portal is where Iv read about torsion axles failing more than leaf spring when used off-road. The aussie's have proven that and you don't see torsion axles on their serious off-road trailers. There's a discussion there between a dexter rep and a few aussie trailer builders which convinced me not to use one even though I was happy with the pair I had on my 24' TH
https://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/torsion-axle-for-camping-trailer.74901/

I think the leaf springs get a bad rap because of the extra moving parts that do wear out and need replaced every few years. Most of the Australian's are independent but trailer suspensions do not need to articulate imo. Independent also allows the trailer to sway allot more.

If I built a custom suspension, it would be airbag over a straight axle on a free moving 3 link (bushings on the trailing links and a wishbone upper to eliminate the panhard) and deal with body sway via a external sway bar. Or possibly a de-leafed single leaf spring each side to located the axle with airbags. But starting out with a trailer already set up with crappy 20" leafs instead of torsion will be a plus.
STANG23L
Explorer
Jul 26, 2018
I've had 7x16 & 8.5x16 enclosed trailers. I've dumped them both for an 83" x 14' PJ to haul my toys. I put well over 10K miles on both the enclosed and have a little over 4K on the PJ. The 7x16 and PJ have torsion springs the other leaf. After all that I'd never go back to leaf springs for 3500-7K lb trailers. I feel they ride and track better with less tire wear.

Regardless your adding dirt roads or worse to the mix. Can't help you there. So I would suggest you look at all the trailer builds on Expedition Portal.
Bedlam
Moderator
Jul 26, 2018
Why are you against using a torsion axle? It would allow the trailer wheels to move independently of each other and the torsion tube can be tucked higher up in the frame than a conventional solid axle.

Think about the load floor inside the trailer. If you want to tuck the wheels within the 7' wide enclosed body, you will need to have wheel wells intruding inside the the trailer or the load floor will be sitting higher like an over deck or sled trailer. Running wheel wells will keep your vertical CG lower and load ramp angles smaller at the expense of inside obstructions and lower ground clearance.

Forum Discussion

Toyhauler with single axle bad idea?

About Fifth Wheel Group

Related Content

Super Singles

single or dually

Jacking single axle trailer

Single axle TT's

Toyhauler weights