What kind of suspension is this...

[TimC]

I just acquired a 1999 Viking pop up trailer. Actually, I don't have it yet. Its at my daughter's two hours away so I can't get more photos for a few days.

Wondering if you can tell from these photos what kind of axle I am getting. Is this torsion? It definitely looks like it lacks leaf springs.

Thanks

[troubleScottie]

The parts you need to see are behind the wheel.

Definitely NOT a leaf spring system eg no leaf spring. It most likely is a torsional system. Could be a torsion bar axle -- the torsional components reside in an axle, typically a square tube. Most axle-less systems allow for a cross piece, typically a square tube, to help align and/or reinforce the system. Again, need to see what is behind the wheel.

The square tube looks bowed. This might be an issue.

[MtnDon]

Trailer axles typically have a bow in them to help compensate for the vertical load they bear and still have proper wheel camber. This way when the load is put on them the axle will flatten out and the wheels will be aligned properly.

[tony.latham]

Is this torsion?

If it has a trailing arm on the backside, it's a torsion axle. The bow in for camber.

Tony

[TimC]

Thanks everyone. I am hoping to bring her home tomorrow. Tires look to be in good shape but I can't find a date code in the photos (too many spidey web circles and ovals to make out the code location). The white QC stamp is still evident. Maybe that means only a few years old.

I guess I'll just look closely underneath and see if I can see any damage or frame cracks. Probably bring a small pressure washer and spray it off first and let it drip while I repack the bearings for the 120 mile trip home.

I'm going to put some thought into this project before I rip it apart. New canvas and a good cleaning might bring it back to life. My original thoughts were to build a Compact III on the chassis. Then I checked out the Michael and Carrie's Astroliner. Wow! That would be cool.

[TimC]

Back on topic... suspension. So it is a torsion system. Which leads to some questions...







The trailer is a 1999 model. It is wet after power washing the underside of the trailer. That's not an oil or grease leak.

How does one determine if the axle is still doing its job? This axle is going on 24 years. Is there a point in its lifetime where you would consider replacing this axle?

After inspecting the trailer it appears to me that this rig has seen very minimal mileage. How do I know? I found the tire date code and according to Mr. Google the three digit code changed to a four digit in year 2000. Prior to that the week and last digit of the year were all the information that can be found. I am going to assume that my tire's 228 code is 22nd week of 1998 seeing it is unlikely to be a 1988 tire on a 1999 model trailer. These tires "look" very new, however, I will be replacing them due to age. Actually I was very anxious the entire two hour trip home and took it very easy. Let's just say that these tires won't touch the street in front of the house much less highway speeds again.

[tony.latham]

How does one determine if the axle is still doing its job?

As you can see here, Torflex axles can be purchased at several "start up angles."

https://www.friedlaxle.com/dexter-torflex-axle-order-form/

I'd jack it up and see what the arm looks like relaxed and then loaded. If it "bottoms out" it needs replacing but I'll betcha it's fine.

Tony

[TimC]

...

I'd jack it up and see what the arm looks like relaxed and then loaded. If it "bottoms out" it needs replacing but I'll betcha it's fine.

Tony

Thanks Tony. I'll give that a try. It towed fine on the 120 mile trip home. I think it is going to be a good chassis for a build. Though I am having second thoughts after my wife saw it. I may just bag the idea of another build on this, get it sold as is and stick to teardrop builds. This has a 12' box which I know can be modified smaller, but, wifey will not likely be camping in the future so a teardrop is good enough for me.

[tony.latham]

but, wifey will not likely be camping in the future so a teardrop is good enough for me.

Sorry to hear that tale...



Tony

[TimC]

Kind of a kick in the pants. I'll get out in the teardrop occasionally. I might not make any of the big trips I've dreamed about since I made my teardrop but I'll still make memories.

And who knows? I love building campers. Im still learning but I've gotten fairly good at it. Maybe that'll be my thing.

Here's two hours of labor on the pop-up along with an impact driver, shop vac and an N95 mask. All the soft goods are in the utility trailer ready for trip #1 to the dump. The rest of the fun will happen when my brother comes up from Chi town next month.