Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

Helo everyone,
Im going to start a third build. This time Id like to use a Dexter Torflex axle. My trailer will be a 4.5x8 kit type body. Ive used 4"droop axle,s in the past. They were leaf springs and shackles. This time Im going with a Torflex axle and want to go with a 22.5 up or 10 up. Im trying to get the 4"droop look that I got with leafsprings.
The tear will be about 700 pounds or less and Id love to hear from people that have used Dexter Torflex axles. What start angle should I get to make the end build look like a 4" droop. Tires and wheels will be 14 or 15,s and I can go with eather.

Thanks

dano

The start angle was one of my unknowns when I built mine. To me, it seemd that 45 down was too tall and 0 was low. I just split the difference and ordered a 22.5 down. It was perfect.

I personally wouldn't go as low as a 22.5 up. As I have it now, there are times when the back end comes really close to scraping the pavement when crossing the gutter in front of my house. I have to remember to hit it at an angle.

I wish a cross reference chart existed. Dependent on type of axle, how tall the tires are from center line, mounted on a 2x2 frame, a reference of ground clearance listed.

Cliff, don't know if you've this before http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html it's a tire size calculator which, will allow you to compare different sizes of tires and other thing...a bit of playing with the numbers and you can come up with frame clearance...if you just knew the diff in the different start angles, all would be golden...used to actually know what the changes were for a FLexiRide but CRS has gotten to those...............
madjack

So I think Ive got it figured out. Unless someone tells me diferent Im going to go with 66" hub to hub. for a 4.5 wide trailer.
Main rail or out side frame 47" So I can extend the plywood 3" over the frame.
22.5 up because I want it as low as 4" drop. And can put 15" tires and wheels on it.
My trailer will be 4.5x8 so I think clearence wont be a problem.
Called Dexter and was advised to go with #9 1000 pounder. I told her the trailer will be 700-750 maybe another 100 pounds of camping crap inside till we get to where were going.
She said that 300 pounds over is ideal and that when parked the weight of my wife and I will not matter.

So before I order please tell me if Im way off.
thanks

Dano

only thing diff I would advise is to get the #10 axle(2200#?) and have it derated to 1110#s...that'll give a little hearier duty axle with a weight range for some leeway...I myself, for my 1000#camper have the #10 derated to 1500#s and I am quite happy with the ride...and my gear seems to be as well...also, be aware of any clearance issues with the swing arms if the side wall will come down over the frame rails...this has bitten a few in the butt...especially with an up angle....
madjack

You should consider buying a Flexride axle http://www.ucfamerica.com/flexiride.html which has an adjustable ride height. Quite frankly I will probably switch ours from a Dexter at some point. Ours started out with a neutral off set and has sagged to the point where I am not happy and it is only a couple of years old.
These sag over time and the Dexter is not adjustable.

How to pick your axle start angle

Bruce

Bruce,
Thanks I have read and reread that post but. Im just not 100 sure of myself when it comes to torflex axles as Ive only used leafsprings in the past.
Wish I could talk to someone that has gone with a 22.5 up start angle and see how they liked it. Seems most have not used that start angle .

Dano

Shadow Catcher wrote:You should consider buying a Flexride axle http://www.ucfamerica.com/flexiride.html which has an adjustable ride height.

I read and re-read that article too and then I bought a flexiride.

Bruce

My current teardrop has a 0% start angle with P195 60 !5's. It has 11" ground clearance. Tire size will make a difference. 195 70's would raise it a little.
On one of my past builds I went with a 10% up angle and felt it was too low even with higher profile tires. I had to fab a two inch block to raise it.
I am slowly building another tear. This has a 10% down angle with temporary 215 75 14 tires. It is now setting with 14" ground clearance but does not have the hatch installed or any interior in it yet. I expect it to settle some.
I hope this gives a little insight on what you need. I figure each 10% equal about 2"

Randy

Is there a calculator that includes 8" tires?

I have a #9 Dexter with a 10-degree up start angle. With my tall tires (P235-75R15), there is 12" clearance between the bottom of the frame and the ground.

redtourist wrote:Is there a calculator that includes 8" tires?

The Dexter info includes 4.80-8 and 4.80-12 wheels for both their #8 and #9 axles.

http://l.b5z.net/i/u/6149609/f/Trailer_ ... _12-10.pdf

The one thing you have to watch out for is that they are quoting heights to the top of the axle brackets when the axle is loaded to its full rated load. So if you get an axle rated at 1500lb, but you only have a 1000lb load on it, you have to use the 'No Load' and 'Full Load' dimension tables to work out how much higher it will run with only the partial load on it.

For those who want to combine a light axle with wheels/tires designed to carry several times as much weight (like 15" wheels on a teardrop), they will have to work it out themselves as no axle manufacturer expects this degree of over-specification.