5th wheel trailer suspension differences?

Blanco1, see if you can import an Australian independent suspension set and scrap the OEM suspension completely. You'll have a =real= off-road suspension! :B

Lyle

The differences that make an Outdoors, Arctic Fox, and Desert Fox off-road capable are things like frame construction (12-inch I-beam that they build in-house), beefy axles, leaf springs with wet bolts, high ground clearance, 16-inch wheels. Shocks are icing on the cake. The construction of the rest of the trailer also comes into play. Things like cabinetry anchored to floor, walls, and ceiling.

I upgraded my suspension to travel to Alaska. I seriously doubt that the stock suspension would have held up. The upgrade is from 7K axles/leaf springs to independent air spring suspension with 8k axles and disk brakes. as well as adding two cross members to the I beam frame to prevent curl/twisting. Total cost parts and labor. $7500.

My army surplus 5 ton utility trailer does not have shocks, but is designed to go off road ;)

Old-Biscuit wrote:
Here is a good place to start for info on trailer suspension

Systems Explained

Nice link.

Thanks.

I suppose they all do the same basic thing but in there own way.

I suppose the main thing the strength of the parts.
I can see how too many miles could cause stress cracks & so parts failure.

Makes me wonder what the suspen was under the trailer they pulled during a Baja 1000 race many many years ago.

Here is a good place to start for info on trailer suspension

Systems Explained

Our 5th wheel came OEM with 6K axles with shocks

We upgraded to 7K axles with shocks and 8K leaf spring packs

Plus we had adjustment holes in spring shackles for changing height to get clearances and level towing

And we balance our trailer tires

Smooth even riding/towing. All good :B

Shocks are not what makes a suspension off-road capable. Shocks allow for a dampening function for spring bounce. What makes a suspension off-road capable is somewhat complicated. First clearance height. Second robust axles, springs and hanger that can withstand more stress. In the RV world independent suspension offer more off-road advantage and less stress. Then of course the frame is another item that needs to be robust enough to handle stress from the suspension. Saying all that not many RV's are truly off-road capable, because of the cost required to make them capable. Most trailer are generally have marginal suspensions and are intended for normal road travel. Those suspensions generally have devices (various type of equalizers) to help smooth out the bumps on the roads, but they don't actually add to the robustness required for off-road.