tandem axle channel supports

[grampyjd]

I am in the process of buying a 32' travel trailer and would appreciate some input from current/past owners. After looking this trailer over, again, I noticed that the dual axle supports were formed steel channels with no center pivot point. Has anyone had problems with these channels bending or any towing problems. My wife and I have been RVing for forty years in motor homes but now were ready to down-size and this is our first pull trailer.

Any comments good or bad will be greatly appreciated.

Grampyjd
Life member

[djsamuel]

grampyjd wrote:
Thank you for the info. Here is the photo I wanted to show. The formed steel angle looks some what light for twisting and turning the travel trailer

Looks very similar to my camper with similar axles. No problems over 7 years.

[Huntindog]

grampyjd wrote:
Thanks to each and everyone of you. I learned a lot. I did not notice the missing rubber boots for the brake adjustment. Should have known I adjusted a lot of brakes back in the sixties. I had no idea that there would be rubber inside the axle tube. Wow this old dog needs to do more reading.

Thanks a million everyone.

Yeah, it is basically a rubber spring system. There are a few different versions of such suspensions out there.
Like everything, there are pros and cons.
Pros: Independant suspension and a lower ride height. Pretty much maintainence free, for quite a while.

Cons: Lower ride height. (yes this can be good or bad)The rubber will eventually break down. Rubber ages even when not being used. Some use is good, as it keeps it limbered up (so to speak) too much use will accellerate the wear. There is a sweet spot in there somewhere for maximum life... Just cannot tell where it is. When the rubber deteriorates, the cheap fix is to have the setup reclocked. But this doesn't have a good track record. The old rubber is still in there, so it just doesn't hold the adjustment well. The rubber can be replaced, but this can cost almost as much as new axles. There really isn't a cheap repair on this system as there often is with traditional suspension.

Not making a recomendation either way. Your money, your choice

[grampyjd]

Thanks to each and everyone of you. I learned a lot. I did not notice the missing rubber boots for the brake adjustment. Should have known I adjusted a lot of brakes back in the sixties. I had no idea that there would be rubber inside the axle tube. Wow this old dog needs to do more reading.

Thanks a million everyone.

[goducks10]

There's way more beef on that connection than many trailers made. Look at some of the lighter weight RV trailers and you'll see much thinner smaller spring hangers with no reinforcing welded to the I beam.

[Gdetrailer]

grampyjd wrote:
Thank you for the info. Here is the photo I wanted to show. The formed steel angle looks some what light for twisting and turning the travel trailer

Should be fine, the steel angle welded to the frame acts like a reinforcement to the axles lighter ga material. There is a very small amount of lighter ga material that is not reinforced..

As a side note, if you feel it is not heavy enough material, do not have anyone weld directly to the axle tube without first consulting with the manufacturer of the axle. They are the only folks who can tell you if it is safe to do so and how and where to weld.

There is rubber inside that tube and the heat from welding after the rubber has been put in there may damage/alter that rubber if not careful enough.

[wanderingbob]

This type suspension needs to be adjusted at the hitch to be towed near level , these have no center equalizer .

[QCMan]

If all channels were made properly, you will never have to deal with them. However, you should go to your local auto parts store and get a full set of rubber plugs to cover the adjustment holes for the brakes in the backing plates as they will keep more water out of the drums. Happy Camping!

[grampyjd]

Thank you for the info. Here is the photo I wanted to show. The formed steel angle looks some what light for twisting and turning the travel trailer

[drsteve]

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[grampyjd]

Thank you for the replies. I must have the torsion axles. I've always had the leaf springs on any trailers I've owned. The formed steel channel holding the axles looks like it could bend while backing and turning.
I'm having a problem pasting my photo.

Grampyjd

[MitchF150]

If your axles look like this, then you have the torsion type of suspension, and IMO, I like this over the leaf spring type.. Just me..



First TT ever was a small 2003 Prowler, yet it had this type of suspension. Never an issue in over 16 years of owning it.. These are the Dexter brand torsion axles.

Got the new Rockwood and it has the same Dexter torsion suspension axles.. I bit higher axles rating of course, since the Rockwood is a heavier TT.. But, in the end, I'll stick the the torsion axles... But, that's just me... 😉

Good luck! Mitch

[Gdetrailer]

Sounds like a "torsion axle"?

Any visible leaf springs?

If no leaf springs and the axles are directly mounted to the frame then you would have what is called "torsion axles" which in a nutshell are like a heavyduty rubber band inside of the axle tube..

Looks like this..



Torsion axles have been around for a long time are are pretty reliable, some folks prefer them over leaf springs for a smoother ride..

You can read up on torsion axles HERE at Dexter Axle website.

Otherwise if there are leaf springs there should be a leaf spring for each axle and a mount and equalizing link between the springs..