Trailers are an asset that you won’t mind investing much in. Why? They last long, longer than you could imagine, and cater to all of your needs, and requirements.
And for a trailer to be functional, and properly transported, an
axle is one of the most required things. You can say it is the main component that provides a Single Axle car trailer its identity.
However, most people find it very difficult to choose which trailer they actually need- a trailer with a solid axle with leaf springs or one with a rubber torsion axle. Choosing between these two is quite technical, and you can’t really make an ice breaking decision without knowing everything about these two.
Start by knowing their advantages, disadvantages, use, mechanics, limitations, and a lot about them. Choosing the wrong one will negatively impact your work, the purpose you are planning to buy them, their performance, safety, and durability.
But before that, you need to specify for what purpose you are buying them. Whether you want to transport some really heavy loads across bumpy, pothole-ridden roads. Or want to transport lighter goods, via a smooth highway, or state route.
In this blog we will explore the two- trailers with solid axles with leaf springs, and one with a rubber torsion axle. Let’s know every detail about them, their features, performance, and place of their application.
Make sure you read till the end of this complete guide. This will help you make the right choice on what you should buy.
Though these two axle types do the same work, the way they suspend and cushion the trailer load is quite different from one another.
Spring trailer axles:
As the name suggests, spring trailer axles are a bunch of flat springs put together in proportion to the load. Spring trailer axles are more of a traditional kind, they use a beam or tube that spans the trailer’s width.
They are generally the least expensive, cheapest kind of axle, and can be maintained and installed quite easily. You don’t need to spend a fortune on buying them.
You must be thinking that the springs in these types of trailers must be over the axle, right? But no, they are not, rather the axle is suspended over the springs in such trailers.
Which in turn decreases the height of the trailer, like in cases of lowboy, and standard flatbed trailers. This height decrease is quite important to load some really heavy goods, it provides stability, and makes the loading process much easier. They are the best for transporting machines, bulldozers, and vehicles.
Let’s move on to the benefits that spring trailer axle offers:
1. The first and foremost benefit that spring trailers offer is its inexpensiveness. They are quite pocket friendly, and fairly easy for manufacturers to install.
2. Next is, these spring axles can handle really heavy loads. Which makes them the go to option for anyone who wishes to install them in their large trailers. For example- car haulers, livestock trailers, tanker trailers, or even flatbed trailers.
3. Unlike rubber torsion trailer axles, spring trailer axles are easy to maintain and their parts can be changed with ease.
4. Its sturdy construction, durable material, and minimal moving parts add length to its life.
5. Don’t you worry, if it is time to change the parts of these axles. Spring trailer axle parts are quite easily available in the market, and they are easy to repair too. Hence, making them one of the most cost-efficient components of a trailer.
Here is a list of trailers where spring axles are widely used:
1. Dump trailers
2. Utility trailers
3. And basically any type of commercially available trailer, except for a few exceptions.
Rubber torsion trailer axles:
Rubber torsion trailers are on the more modern side, with exceptionally modern design with an independent suspension system. They are quite a lot different from what we just covered- spring axles.
Rubber torsion trailers don’t rely on sprung flat steel plates of the spring axle. In short, they don’t use any metal springs of any type, but a series of long rubber cords.
The rubber cords are placed inside a square tube that has a core piece in the middle, it’s this place where the torsions are fixed. With every moving step by the trailer, these rubber cords compress itself, and provide shock absorption, and support.
Hence, providing an independent suspension for each wheel on the side.
Benefits of rubber torsion axle:
1. Rubber torsion axles are all about providing smooth rides. Doesn’t matter how loaded the trailer is, rubber torsion makes sure the ride remains comfy for your goods, with proper safety.
2. The rubber cords present in these torsion axles help in dampening noise, and provide a quieter towing with ease.
3. If we compare them to spring axles, no to very minimal maintenance is required as only a very few parts are exposed to the environment in this axle.
4. Plus, they allow for higher ground clearance and a sleeker trailer profile.
Here is a list where rubber torsion axles are widely used:
- Boat trailer axles
- Salt water spray environments
- Windy environments
- Unusually bumpy or rough roads
- Conditions where a lower ride height is needed
- High-vibration applications (like wood chippers)
Which Trailer Axle is Best?
Choosing between these two is one of the big tasks. They both have their own set of benefits, and application purpose, and place. But let’s be real- a rubber torsion axle provides a better, smoother quality of ride, with less maintenance.
However, the leaf spring axles are more durable, less expensive, and also quite easier to find in the market and replace.
What you should select, choose should depend on the purpose you are buying it for, and figuring out the loads you need to carry. Selection process is totally your call, but make sure to make an effective decision, as you won’t be investing in it again.
Whichever you choose, you’ll see the best results by properly loading your trailer with the aim of getting the most wear out of the system you pick.
Conclusion:
Choosing the right trailer axle type for your needs is a big deal, but with proper guidance and information, you can make a decision quite easily.
With the help of a tandem axle tralier, you can freely design a trailer and ask for suggestions that fit your needs and wants perfectly.
In this blog, we discuss the two different types of trailer axle in the market- spring axle, and torsion axle. And most importantly what purpose they are used for, and how can it add value to your work, and make your life much easier?
Hope, this blog helped you. Let’s meet in the next one!