I guess it's true -- you learn something new every day. I never heard of this product -- but if I could do without an axle, I'd have a lot more clearance!Timbren Axle-Less SuspensionsI searched the forum for any comment on this --came up empty -- has anyone had any experience with these gadgets?

Basically like a torsion axle, with the center section removed, and the rubber smooshes instead of a beam twisting it.

Also known as independent suspension or more commonly IS, have it on our 5th wheel. It really smooths out the ride.

Still have the waste tank drain pipe, and the fresh and waste tanks to worry about.

THey ride nice and work well but they tend to not last a terribly long time and sag more and more.

profdant139 wrote:I guess it's true -- you learn something new every day. I never heard of this product -- but if I could do without an axle, I'd have a lot more clearance!Timbren Axle-Less SuspensionsScottG wrote:They ride nice and work well but they tend to not last a terribly long time and sag more and more.One of the nice things about the Timbren Axle-Less Suspensions is in the 3500 lbs rating you can get them with standard drop, 4" lift or 4" drop.I don't know what the cost is, but the rubber springs are easily replaceable. And I'll bet they are a lot quieter than leaf springs. Also on dual wheel set up, they are truly independent. And Scott, what spring does NOT sag with time ?

Axle-less suspensions for better ground clearance??

Ralph_Cramden
Explorer II
Feb 08, 2019
pullin2 wrote:
My Windjammer has torsion bars like that. There is no axle "bar" running between the wheels on either side. It's PITA to jack up and change a tire (found out the hard way). I think they're called TorFlex, or something like that.

Here is a website with a good picture of them.

I don't know why they're used by Forest River on my model. At 35 ft, I'm sure not taking it off road.

They're way more stable, and your Winmjammer tows better because of them. Forest River's Rockwood division is one of the few that use them. I've had my share of trailers with conventional axles and leaf springs, but after experiencing the Torflex axles on our current Rockwood, I don't really care to have another with leaf springs if I can avoid them. I had loose change on the kitchen counter and the table, and after 500 mles from PA to VT it was still in the same spot when we arrived. On our previous trailers that change would of went anywhere and everywhere.

I don't know how changing a tire is a PITA because of the Torflex. Either way you still have to lift high enough to overcome the suspension travel. From what I remember when I use my trailer aid wedge I have about the same gap to pavement with the Rockwood with Torflex axles as I had on the prior Keystone with conventional axles, leaf springs, and equalizer links. Maybe you need a taller jack or more blocks under it.

They do have tube however that go from side to side, but the spindle itself is not in line with those tubes. What is being discussed in this thread is a different animal.
pullin2
Explorer
Feb 07, 2019
My Windjammer has torsion bars like that. There is no axle "bar" running between the wheels on either side. It's PITA to jack up and change a tire (found out the hard way). I think they're called TorFlex, or something like that.

Here is a website with a good picture of them.

I don't know why they're used by Forest River on my model. At 35 ft, I'm sure not taking it off road.
johntank
Explorer
Feb 05, 2019
profdant139 wrote:
I guess it's true -- you learn something new every day. I never heard of this product -- but if I could do without an axle, I'd have a lot more clearance!

Timbren Axle-Less Suspensions

I searched the forum for any comment on this --came up empty -- has anyone had any experience with these gadgets?

I don't have any experience, but it looks as one needs to connect them together (side to side) with a heavy wall square tube right under the frame. I think I saw something like these being installed on U-tube or another site
profdant139
Explorer II
Feb 04, 2019
In light of how badly I have treated my frame, I should find out who made it and offer them an endorsement! We drag this little trailer over some pretty big rocks and potholes on some pretty sketchy forest roads -- slowly, but often, and for long periods of time.

It's seven years old, and so far, no problems. Any day now . . . .

But that does not mean I will ditch my current undercarriage for a no-axle setup. Maybe someday when I build a custom trailer . . . .
Ralph_Cramden
Explorer II
Feb 04, 2019
Huntindog wrote:
Ralph Cramden wrote:
profdant139 wrote:
Beachums, great point about the chassis -- I am quite sure that the light frame on my trailer was not designed for "no axles."

If your frame is made by lippert, you should feel lucky that it can accommodate axles!:S
I love my Lippert frame. Is top notch and VERY heavy duty... Lippert has also gone above and beyond in treating me fair, when an axle was discontinued, and I needed parts way out of warranty.

I get the fact that you like to constantly bash them for whatever reason.....:S:S:S:S:S:S:S:S:S:S

Bur that just hasn't been my experience with them .

I'm so happy that you love your Lippert Frame.

They are the greatest. I had read a thread on another forum last Spring about another top notch Lippert frame and coincidently the thread was recently resurrected. A 2018 Forest River Rpod on Lippert frame and supposedly this happened on the 2nd time out doing 35 mph. T This Rpod was 3500 GVW and 265 lbs hitch weight. Top Notch indeed.

I will continue to "bash" them due to the fact that everything they make or are associated with is junk, I love to bash them.
Huntindog
Explorer
Feb 04, 2019
Ralph Cramden wrote:
profdant139 wrote:
Beachums, great point about the chassis -- I am quite sure that the light frame on my trailer was not designed for "no axles."

If your frame is made by lippert, you should feel lucky that it can accommodate axles!:S
I love my Lippert frame. Is top notch and VERY heavy duty... Lippert has also gone above and beyond in treating me fair, when an axle was discontinued, and I needed parts way out of warranty.

I get the fact that you like to constantly bash them for whatever reason.....:S:S:S:S:S:S:S:S:S:S

Bur that just hasn't been my experience with them .
Ralph_Cramden
Explorer II
Feb 04, 2019
profdant139 wrote:
Beachums, great point about the chassis -- I am quite sure that the light frame on my trailer was not designed for "no axles."

If your frame is made by lippert, you should feel lucky that it can accommodate axles!:S
profdant139
Explorer II
Feb 04, 2019
Beachums, great point about the chassis -- I am quite sure that the light frame on my trailer was not designed for "no axles."
Beachums
Explorer
Feb 04, 2019
A couple of thoughts. If one were looking to upgrade to this, I would say for 99% of the TTs out there, it will not work.

#1 Solid axles tie the spindles together. As the wheels are offset to the leaf springs and the axle's mounting point, the axle tubes keep the enormous lateral force in check. The highly engineered, low margin frames we all love to hate would not work without extensive modifications that likely would interfere with whatever existing hardware/equipment that is between the frames. The independent wheel's offset position relative to its mounting position would make short work of any frame not substantially reinforced.

#2 As they are fully independent, the wheels would not benefit from the common linkage that allows the tandems of traditional axles to equalize on uneven terrain. This means that the trailer must be perfectly leveled at all times. If not, one wheel and swing arm assembly would see significantly more loads than the other. This would further compound the the frame reinforcement considerations that would have to be made.
deltabravo
Nomad
Feb 04, 2019
MorRyde makes an axle-less system as well.