leaf springs vs. torsion axles - pros and cons

jeeplj8 · 09-20-2012, 08:30 PM

Looking at a Surveyor 305 with torsion axles, and a Coachmen 310 with leafs. Negligible price difference between them.

One difference however is the axles. What are the main pros and cons of each?

TURBS · 09-20-2012, 09:08 PM

imo the torsions seem to ride smoother but the leafs seem to handle better .

ive had two leaf campers and one torsion.

My current unit is leaf but it also has equa flex torsion equalizers .

Equa Flex Suspension Enhancement - YouTube

And I like my new setup the best .

Turbs

rkswyo · 09-20-2012, 09:29 PM

I would take the torsion axles over the leaf springs hands down.

09grizzly1 · 09-20-2012, 09:36 PM

I have had both types of axles and prefer the ride of the torsion axles.As for handling,no differance.I would get the optional axle risers as the trailer is quite low.

09grizzly1

Twisty · 09-20-2012, 09:51 PM

You just can't beat true independent suspension.
Our trailer rides and handles very well.

jonnys_walkers · 09-20-2012, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by f1100turbo

my current unit is leaf but it also has equa flex torsion equalizers. and i like my new setup the best .

x 2

lindy · 09-21-2012, 06:16 AM

I've had 2 trlrs with torsion suspension and love it. With all the issues you hear on the forumn with leaf springs breaking, shackles bending/breaking, having to install yourself shackle bolts that can be lubed, etc torsion is the only way to go. The only axle maint is the normal wheel bearing maint.

Glenn5995 · 09-21-2012, 07:21 AM

I have had both and would choose the torsion axle over leaf springs. The trailer rides much smoother. I say this because everything in the trailer stays in place. The trailers with leaf springs would always have things relocated themselves in the trailer during trips.

MtnGuy · 09-21-2012, 07:47 AM

I can't really think of any cons to the torsion axles.

Road-King · 09-21-2012, 07:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Glenn5995

I have had both and would choose the torsion axle over leaf springs. The trailer rides much smoother. I say this because everything in the trailer stays in place. The trailers with leaf springs would always have things relocated themselves in the trailer during trips.

X2... Best riding TT I've ever pulled...

OldCoot · 09-21-2012, 09:03 AM

Have had 3 with leaf springs and 4 with torsion. I will take the torsion hands down over leaf springs. Everything rides better, including the truck. I like the torsion even better now with shocks on the trailer. You can't beat independent suspension.

amxpress · 09-21-2012, 11:04 AM

I wish they would offer torsion suspension on larger trailers and fivers, they would sure pull better. They do make torsion axles that can handle the larger trailers, but beside being a cost factor, they would have to do some re-engineering to the frames to keep the height of the frame up where it needs to be. Probably not cost effective.

SaskCampers · 09-21-2012, 11:14 AM

Don't let anyone kid you for a minute that a torsion axled trailer rides perfect. We drove to Indiana through ND, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois and to Indiana with our 34 1/2 ft V-Lite with torsion suspension. Had a light fixture tore right off the wall, ripped our standalone dinette table out of the floor and flipped our coffee table and smashed the table light and these were not terribly rough roads. Yes there were a few rough areas and lots of fricken expansion joints that in our 3/4 ton Dodge almost made the DW cry her back hurt so bad from the constant bang bang bang but there were no pot holes or anything to cause that kind of damage. Yes they ride ok and are much better than the leaf springs on our old Edgewater but are not near perfect.

OldCoot · 09-21-2012, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheSasks

Don't let anyone kid you for a minute that a torsion axled trailer rides perfect. We drove to Indiana through ND, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois and to Indiana with our 34 1/2 ft V-Lite with torsion suspension. Had a light fixture tore right off the wall, ripped our standalone dinette table out of the floor and flipped our coffee table and smashed the table light and these were not terribly rough roads. Yes there were a few rough areas and lots of fricken expansion joints that in our 3/4 ton Dodge almost made the DW cry her back hurt so bad from the constant bang bang bang but there were no pot holes or anything to cause that kind of damage. Yes they ride ok and are much better than the leaf springs on our old Edgewater but are not near perfect.

Don't think anyone is saying they ride perfect, just a lot better than springs. Shocks help a lot, but again it doesn't make them perfect. If you pulled across Iowa on I80, that is worse than a plowed field. We towed it and had to slow to 40-45mph to stay in the truck with a 831RLSS Flagstaff tongue trailer.

Road-King · 09-21-2012, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dunnnc

Don't think anyone is saying they ride perfect, just a lot better than springs. Shocks help a lot, but again it doesn't make them perfect. If you pulled across Iowa on I80, that is worse than a plowed field. We towed it and had to slow to 40-45mph to stay in the truck with a 831RLSS Flagstaff tongue trailer.

X2
I think you would have to have a hovercraft or mag lift suspension for it to be perfect.

OldCoot · 09-21-2012, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Road-King

X2
I think you would have to have a hovercraft or mag lift suspension for it to be perfect.

We rode the hovercraft from Dover, England to Boulogne, France and it was not a smooth ride either, interesting, but not smooth

SaskCampers · 09-21-2012, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dunnnc

Don't think anyone is saying they ride perfect, just a lot better than springs. Shocks help a lot, but again it doesn't make them perfect. If you pulled across Iowa on I80, that is worse than a plowed field. We towed it and had to slow to 40-45mph to stay in the truck with a 831RLSS Flagstaff tongue trailer.

Speaking of shocks, after seeing your shock install I am going to retro fit our V-Lite and while at the factory tour I discussed shocks with the designer of the Flagstaff/Rockwood units and mentioned some info I found from AL-KO europe and Austraila. He is going to do some research on at the very least offering shocks as an option in the future. So here's hoping.

lindy · 09-21-2012, 04:51 PM

Just out of curiosity "TheSacks" how fast were you towing. I've run some really rough roads and just slowing down a little goes a long way to not tearing everything up. I've seen campers running in excess of 70mph and then wondering why they're blowing tires and everything inside the trl is all over the place when they stop.

DDC · 09-21-2012, 05:40 PM

This is the first trailer I've had with torsion suspension and I find it really good I like how it is lower I feel the lower centre of gravity helps stabilize the trailer, as for stuff breaking off with the ride I'd be more inclined to check tire balance than blame the torsion suspension.

SaskCampers · 09-22-2012, 07:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lindy

Just out of curiosity "TheSacks" how fast were you towing. I've run some really rough roads and just slowing down a little goes a long way to not tearing everything up. I've seen campers running in excess of 70mph and then wondering why they're blowing tires and everything inside the trl is all over the place when they stop.

55 -58mph.

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