Learn me Trailer axles

I am looking at used 20' enclosed trailers and after researching Torsion vs Leaf Spring axles I'm not sure I want torsion. The trailer will have tandem 5200# axles. I presently have an 18' open trailer with leaf springs and have been very happy with the way it tows/handles. I have had it 10 years and only had to replace tires once due to age. It seems like torsion axles are more likely to cause tire wear if overloaded or if load is not even. It also seems like torsion style may track oddly on poor road surfaces (like there are anything but poor roads in New England). Also I seem to be finding trailers that were used for storage and have been sitting for years. Aside from tires that are dry rotted, do the torsions have anything that will seize up that would make them unreliable.

Torsion helps packaging/clearance issues and sometimes yields a lower deck. I had a 26' enclosed with torsion springs on two 5200lb axles and loved it. It towed VERY smoothly and tracked perfectly. Seemed like they were more compliant, but that could have just been that particular combo. It makes sense, though. With a leaf spring, bumps force the tire straight up while a torsion axle lets the tire swing in an arc. So for the same spring rate it makes sense that a torsion might transfer less movement to the cargo.

Torsion axles have no external springs or shackles to rust. I have never known of any reliability issues with them.

Regarding tire wear and overloading; in my experience it doesn't matter what springs you have. An overloaded tire will not be happy under either spring.

Long story short, I prefer torsion and haven't noticed any of the issues you mention being concerned about.

Thanks, seems like the real drawback is if you ever damage an axle by running over or into something, the leaf springs will be easily fixed while the torsion will need to be replaced. At this point if I find a trailer that wasn't forged from solid gold I won't care what axles is has. I understand trailers hold there value well but people are insane. I looked at one last week that was bought for $5800 in 2004, sat in the guy's yard the entire time and he had it advertised for $5200 and was willing to let it go for $5000. Such a deal. Today I looked at a 2011 and it was in nice shape and this guy wanted $900 less that I can get a brand new version of the same brand and model, he was willing to knock off $500. I suspect I will end up with a new one as much I hate to spend that much on a trailer.

imgon wrote: Thanks, seems like the real drawback is if you ever damage an axle by running over or into something, the leaf springs will be easily fixed while the torsion will need to be replaced. At this point if I find a trailer that wasn't forged from solid gold I won't care what axles is has. I understand trailers hold there value well but people are insane. I looked at one last week that was bought for $5800 in 2004, sat in the guy's yard the entire time and he had it advertised for $5200 and was willing to let it go for $5000. Such a deal. Today I looked at a 2011 and it was in nice shape and this guy wanted $900 less that I can get a brand new version of the same brand and model, he was willing to knock off $500. I suspect I will end up with a new one as much I hate to spend that much on a trailer.

That has always been my experience with used trailers, consequently I have bought new ones. I have seen good deals on used trailers when they're part of a race car package, though.

the only cheap trailers are boat trailers, and those are cheap for a reason

Note: if you are looking for a used trailer, most 20' ers have 3500 lb axles.

A 20' trailer with 5200# torsion axles would be pretty rare. You will probably be buying new.

I found a 32' enclosed 15 year old trailer for a whopping $250 less than i can get a brand new one for

They hold their value. I can sell my 12' enclosed for what i paid, after using it for 4 years every day.

On torsion axles, the datsun lives in a 14'(the joys of a tiny car) trailer with 7k torsion axles. It's 19 years old now, and it pulls like a dream. It pulls way nicer than my open deck with leaf springs and takes the bumps way better. Plus i've had to replace the entire suspension on the open trailer because all the little bits that held the springs to the frame rusted dangerously thin

I'd be fairly impressed if you damaged a torsion axle and didn't destroy the rest of the trailer in the process.

I have a cheap 28' trailer I bought new and have been happy with it. Prior to that I had the same trailer but in 20' - was also happy with it but it ended up being a little too light once I started packing spares and other stuff. Both had torsion axles. Fortunately I was towing a small car so I had weight to spare. If I was towing a normal sized car the trailer and vehicle weight would have put me near the limits of the axles.

The 28' weighs 700 lbs more than the 20' but it has 5200 lbs axles versus 3500. Knowing what I know now, I would never get an enclosed trailer for hauling a car with 3500 lbs axles; its too easy to overload. If I ordered the 20' trailer with 5200 lbs axles I'd probably still have it.

Keep your eyes peeled for a Brickman trailer. They are a national chain of landscape people and they liquidate old inventory sometimes. I got my 26' Wells Cargo pretty cheap from them; like $2250. It was used, but not abused. I had to repair a couple rear clearance lights that had fallen out (vibrations made the screw holes wallowed out) and the tongue jack gears had worn out, but it was a cheap trailer that served me well as a car/tractor hauler for many years.

Brickman is now Brightview. Couldn't find a link to inventory sales like they used to have, but there is a contact page.

My guess is with the recent acquisition of Brickman by Brightview they might be thinning the herd; deciding which trailers are nice enough to repaint/decal versus selling and getting new ones.

Thanks for the info on torsions, was a little reluctant to go that route. I'll keep looking for used for another month or so, that will give me time to order a new one before the new season starts if nothing good turns up.

imgon wrote: Thanks for the info on torsions, was a little reluctant to go that route. I'll keep looking for used for another month or so, that will give me time to order a new one before the new season starts if nothing good turns up.

Sure. In the used market, I wouldn't avoid either type of axle. I prefer the torsion, but they are functionally so similar that I wouldn't let it prevent me from laying out cash on a good deal. Find the right trailer for the right price and don't stress over the axle design.