Trailer suspension... axle or indespension?

[symondo]

Ive a trailer to overhaul in the next month

Rather than buying fresh bearings, hubs, brakes - im looking to fit a whole new unit ready built up so its all fresh.

currently it looks to be a 'twin axle' setup without the axles - independent suspension.

There doesnt look to be much in it for cost or weight options.

Can anyone advise any pros/cons for either system? Im thinking the independent suspension is probly the way to go but then why are there axles also available?

Also any recommended suppliers?
Currently looking at 'Knott avon ride' units

 

[VicS]

Ive a trailer to overhaul in the next month

Rather than buying fresh bearings, hubs, brakes - im looking to fit a whole new unit ready built up so its all fresh.

currently it looks to be a 'twin axle' setup without the axles - independent suspension.

There doesnt look to be much in it for cost or weight options.

Can anyone advise any pros/cons for either system? Im thinking the independent suspension is probly the way to go but then why are there axles also available?

Also any recommended suppliers?
Currently looking at 'Knott avon ride' units

My trailer has (4) Indespension units http://www.indespension.co.uk/63-trailer-parts


Also look at

www.autow.com

www.trailertek.com

Make sure what ever you buy has readily avaialble bearings etc. You dont want to be saddled with a high cost for any "peculiar" bearing types

 

[symondo]

My trailer has (4) Indespension units http://www.indespension.co.uk/63-trailer-parts


Also look at

www.autow.com

www.trailertek.com

Make sure what ever you buy has readily avaialble bearings etc. You dont want to be saddled with a high cost for any "peculiar" bearing types

that trailerytek site seems to list the same units as ive already found

http://www.towingandtrailers.com/tr...ion-units-4x5-5-pcd-a-series-200x50-drum.html

cant see what type of bearing is used but judging from availability of this type of unit - should be fairly standard?

 

[sarabande]

one problem with indespension rubber torsion units is that if a boat is left on a trailer, the rubber can take up a "set" and will lose its flexibility.

 

[VicS]

one problem with indespension rubber torsion units is that if a boat is left on a trailer, the rubber can take up a "set" and will lose its flexibility.

I simply jack mine up and put wooden blocks under so that the weight is not on the wheels.

No a faff or a fiddle if you have a decent jockey wheel assembly. Lower the front and put blocks under the back then wind up the front and put blocks under there too. With luck you end up with the wheels just clear or with practically no load on them.

 

[Dave_Seager]

one problem with indespension rubber torsion units is that if a boat is left on a trailer, the rubber can take up a "set" and will lose its flexibility.

I would be surprised if that were the case as similar units are used on most caravans where the caravan body is permanently fitted to the chassis.

 

[Kelpie]

Well you should at least jack up the trailer to save the tyres, then.

To the OP, I would do whatever was easiest- if the trailer already has the mountings in place for individual units, just find replacements that are the same bolt spacings and are up to the required weight.

My 3500kg trailer had Indespension units and they seemed to cope fine,

 

[symondo]

Well you should at least jack up the trailer to save the tyres, then.

To the OP, I would do whatever was easiest- if the trailer already has the mountings in place for individual units, just find replacements that are the same bolt spacings and are up to the required weight.

My 3500kg trailer had Indespension units and they seemed to cope fine,

im inclined to say if it fits and its rated right - why change it?

ive a friend who thinksid be better with twin axles for a more rigid frame,

i can only assume id need to change all brackets to do this which im doing anyway, but apart from the extra bars across the frame of a trailer - is there any other benefit? if an even more rigid frame is a benefit?

 

[Kelpie]

Changing from single to twin axle could be more trouble than it's worth. Unless the trailer's structure has significantly degraded, or it is being overloaded, then if it was built for single axle use it should still be OK.

IME twin axle is not always better. The trailer is more likely to try to lift or push down on your towbar, and the tyres can scrub a bit on tight turns because none of them are actually on the axis of rotation (this is just based on what I have observed, I'm sure Google would yield a list of pros and cons).

 

[symondo]

Changing from single to twin axle could be more trouble than it's worth. Unless the trailer's structure has significantly degraded, or it is being overloaded, then if it was built for single axle use it should still be OK.

IME twin axle is not always better. The trailer is more likely to try to lift or push down on your towbar, and the tyres can scrub a bit on tight turns because none of them are actually on the axis of rotation (this is just based on what I have observed, I'm sure Google would yield a list of pros and cons).

currently, theres no axles, just 4, or actually 3 independent hubs as 1 is missing. hence looking to swap to 4 fresh hubs. the frame looks ok to me

 

[seaboy]

I've found independent suspension units do not transmit hitting a pothole vibration/bump to other wheels, as would an axle effecting its opposing wheel on the same axle.