homeroast wrote:Assuming my gross trailer weight is 1000#, can I expect half compression to full load?
I've got mixed info on this. On the one hand, experienced trailer builders talk about light loads (such as you describe) giving little 'settling'.
However the data given by Dexter on their axles is consistently 22.5 degrees from no load to static load (ie, 1g) and only another 10 degrees from static to shock load, which I take to be at least 2g and maybe more than 3g. This indicates a rapidly rising suspension rate - the first 100 pounds of load gets much more suspension movement than the last 100 pounds. So this suggets you'll get a lot more than half compression from half the load.
homeroast wrote:Also my outside frame is 58" and I want 67" hub to hub. That only leaves 4.5" per side for each torsion arm assembly? Is that enough, do you expect they'll come back and say I need a longer hub to hub distance?
Here's a useful source:
Dexter axle measurement pdf. This shows how axle measurments are specified, at least for Dexter's axles. You'll see that the difference between the width over brackets and the hubface is two times the overhang - so you're asking for an overhang of 4.5". Maximum and minimum overhang is specified by most manufacturers, for example:
- A Dexter #9 standard spindle has a minimum overhang of 6.5".
- Dexter say they offer a short #9 spindle with a minimum overhang of 6.0", but I've heard people say it's hard to actually get.
- A Flexiride 2,00lb axle has a minimum overhang of 6.12".
So, sorry, you're going to have to re-think your axle width.
Andrew