Torsion bar axle or leaf springs

[shark13]

Buying a new travel trailer in the spring. Looking at Rockwood &Hemisphere. The Rockwood has torsion springs and the Hemisphere has springs which are the better & what's the difference. Thanks & Happy camping.

[UT_Grandpa]

I have a Rockwood Mini with a Torsion Bar setup and I love it. Less bounce than a leaf spring model and simple. No spring shackles, spring hangers, or leafs. since there is no spring shackle or center bracket to jack up on you do have to jack on the trailer frame for changing tires or doing bearing service.

I think the Torsion bar rides smoother but that is only a feeling since no one travels in my trailer when going down the road.

My former TT was a 1983 StarCraft popup with Torsion bar and I actually had to build a bar to pry the tire down a bit so I could get if off the trailer. Probably in 30+ years it had sagged a bit?

I notice that the high end leaf spring trailers have shock absorbers on them.

Choose the floor plan and features you like and then take whatever undercarriage it comes with.

[shark13]

Thanks for the reply grandpa, the leaf springs probably have more bounce than being smooth like the torsion bar.

[stephndudb]

One advantage of leaf springs is the equalizer - the trailer can be towed slightly nose up or nose down without changing the load distribution on the 2 axles. With torsion axles it's important that the trailer is towed level to prevent overloading one of the axles. And, yes, torsion suspensions can sag over time. It's easier to replace sagging springs.

[Jay2504]

The torsion bar axle set up is better by far. I’ve had both. Better ride, no broken parts, no wore out bushings, no noisy springs. My leaf springs are on boat trailers so the leaves will rust and squeak because they get dunked underwater. I don’t think having a torsion suspension should be a deal breaker, but if you buy leaf springs, add shocks and be ready to do maintenance like greasing, replacing bushings ect. Jay

[shark13]

Thank you for all the replys, I guess I will pick my favorite floor plan & go with the running gear it has,just like grandpa said.

[amblt]

Originally Posted by Jay2504

The torsion bar axle set up is better by far. I’ve had both. Better ride, no broken parts, no wore out bushings, no noisy springs. My leaf springs are on boat trailers so the leaves will rust and squeak because they get dunked underwater. I don’t think having a torsion suspension should be a deal breaker, but if you buy leaf springs, add shocks and be ready to do maintenance like greasing, replacing bushings ect. Jay

Agreed, torsion bars ride better. I've only had them on a utility trailer but I like the handling. Bounce is reduced, but still evident. Does anyone know if shocks can be used with torsion bars?

[montgomg]

I own a MiniLite with torsion bar suspension and I like it very much.
From what I learned the torsion bar trailers sit about 6 inches lower than a leaf spring trailer. This helps with stability ie lower center of gravity. In my case it was the difference between inside storage or having to leave outside.

[5picker]

Originally Posted by amblt

Agreed, torsion bars ride better. I've only had them on a utility trailer but I like the handling. Bounce is reduced, but still evident. Does anyone know if shocks can be used with torsion bars?

I suppose shocks could be added to anything if so minded.
Just remember, torsion axles are self-dampening by design.

I'm guessing you haven't loaded your utility trailer enough to get the full effect of the torsion axle's benefit.

[old40ford]

My Pace car carrier has torsion axles and I really like it, nothing ever moves around inside the trailer. My Puma 5th has springs and no shocks (yet) and it moves everything from point a to b and back again. If you have I choice, I would recommend torsion axles.

[milton_w_herron]

Torsion bars. I think they use them on Airstream too.

[montgomg]

Torsion bars are used by Airstream.

[youroo]

Originally Posted by 5picker

I suppose shocks could be added to anything if so minded.
Just remember, torsion axles are self-dampening by design.

I'm guessing you haven't loaded your utility trailer enough to get the full effect of the torsion axle's benefit.

Airstream started using torsion axles around 1960 they had shocks! Dexter now supplies the airstream torsion axles with shock kits for the backing plates and shock mounting studs that weld to frame! Youroo!!

[milton_w_herron]

Originally Posted by shark13

Buying a new travel trailer in the spring. Looking at Rockwood &Hemisphere. The Rockwood has torsion springs and the Hemisphere has springs which are the better & what's the difference. Thanks & Happy camping.

If you are full time buy an RV with at least 5/8 inch thick floors.

[youroo]

??

[RB19RR]

Many horse owners will not let horses ride in a leaf sprung trailer any more....Torsion or air bag only. Leaf springs are hard on a hoses legs.

Torsion suspension by its very nature is independent suspension. One wheel hit a hole the other end of the axle isn't affected.

Torsion is the only way to go if you have a choice.

[richard6335]

Originally Posted by amblt

Agreed, torsion bars ride better. I've only had them on a utility trailer but I like the handling. Bounce is reduced, but still evident. Does anyone know if shocks can be used with torsion bars?

I have an ACE boat trailer for a 30 ft. REGAL with torsion and I have seen torsions hold up much better over time, especially when exposed to salt. I wish they put them on my Cottage

[gectisme]

Originally Posted by youroo

Airstream started using torsion axles around 1960 they had shocks! Dexter now supplies the airstream torsion axles with shock kits for the backing plates and shock mounting studs that weld to frame! Youroo!!

Huh, didn't know they did that. That's pretty cool, if I had known about that, might have added shocks to ours 2 years ago... Thanks for the info!

[Oaklevel]

I would go with the floor plan that you like the best and not worry about the suspension.

[rjgrady]

Originally Posted by Oaklevel

I would go with the floor plan that you like the best and not worry about the suspension.

And if you find the floor plan you like WITH torsion suspension it's a win/win. That's what happened to us!