Torsion axle v spring axle

bluefishgary wrote:
Ok lets try this. How much does a spring axle go up and down??
How much does a torsion axle go up and down??
Does a spring have more travle or the torsion have more?

Better ride spring or torsion?
Just so you all know my trailer is a 3 axle torsion axle rides very good
My weight is 12,000lbs. I am think about shocks.Even if there is no kit
I can build what I need. My last trailer a 2 axle @ 10,000 I put shocks
made a BIG differance. ok Lets the games begin. Thanks Gary

In my experience with two different double torsion axle trailers, I would say the torsion is smoother riding than leaf springs, on similar size/weight trailer. To me, the rubber torsion system takes away the need for shocks, at least in my experience.

Are you saying that your last 2 axle trailer had torsion suspension, and you added shocks to it, with a big difference in ride noticed? I am sure shocks would make a difference on a trailer with leaf springs.

If your current triple axle torsion suspension rides "very good", why would you want to fit shocks on it? I guess I'm just not following your line of thought.

Jerry

CloudDriver wrote:
Here's my $0.02.

A torsion bar and a coil spring are two versions of the same thing, assuming the same material of construction,heat treatment, etc.

Visualize it this way, a torsion bar twists when acting as a spring. A coil spring is just a torsion bar that is wound into a spiral. When a coil spring is compressed the metal that makes up the spiral gets twisted. If a torsion bar has the same spring rate as a coil spring, the axle will go up and down the same amount.

He is talking about leaf spring not coil springs.

I thought the rubber 'spring' in the torsion axle acted like a shock absorber...

Here's my $0.02.

A torsion bar and a coil spring are two versions of the same thing, assuming the same material of construction,heat treatment, etc.

Visualize it this way, a torsion bar twists when acting as a spring. A coil spring is just a torsion bar that is wound into a spiral. When a coil spring is compressed the metal that makes up the spiral gets twisted. If a torsion bar has the same spring rate as a coil spring, the axle will go up and down the same amount.