Why I think axleless suspension is pointless.
Posted: Thu Jan 27, 2022 4:21 pm
Alright, so I’m planning my build right now, and have thrown the timbren idea out the window.
Several reasons.
1) cost. Even fabricating my own trailing arms would be more expensive after bushings came springs, shocks, hubs, bla bla (I looked into it)
2) serviceability, you can get regular trailer axle parts anywhere
3) better ride. A rubber bumper will NEVER come close to performing as well as a spring and a shock. There’s a reason cars, motorcycles, mountain bikes, don’t use them.
4) zero practical benefit. Trailer axle tubes are small, and will be well above your differential. You’re not going to be hot with mobility issues cause of the ground clearance of your trailer like that, you’re towing, the mobility is bad.
Now I’m coming at this from some interesting practical experience. I’ve got hundreds (maybe thousands) of off road miles (cross country terrain according to the military) towing 10 different trailers in order to see how they did. All but 1 had a normal axle (or 2 in some cases) and not once did we hit anything. These trailers also had LESS clearence than the tow rig. Additionally, the torsion spring axle was much less controlled in is motion, because as stated, squishing rubber is a bad means of suspension compared to a coil or air spring and an oil damper.
The bottom line is that timbren has convinced you all they solved a problem that doesn’t exist, and to do so sacrificed ride quality, cost, and repairability.
Several reasons.
1) cost. Even fabricating my own trailing arms would be more expensive after bushings came springs, shocks, hubs, bla bla (I looked into it)
2) serviceability, you can get regular trailer axle parts anywhere
3) better ride. A rubber bumper will NEVER come close to performing as well as a spring and a shock. There’s a reason cars, motorcycles, mountain bikes, don’t use them.
4) zero practical benefit. Trailer axle tubes are small, and will be well above your differential. You’re not going to be hot with mobility issues cause of the ground clearance of your trailer like that, you’re towing, the mobility is bad.
Now I’m coming at this from some interesting practical experience. I’ve got hundreds (maybe thousands) of off road miles (cross country terrain according to the military) towing 10 different trailers in order to see how they did. All but 1 had a normal axle (or 2 in some cases) and not once did we hit anything. These trailers also had LESS clearence than the tow rig. Additionally, the torsion spring axle was much less controlled in is motion, because as stated, squishing rubber is a bad means of suspension compared to a coil or air spring and an oil damper.
The bottom line is that timbren has convinced you all they solved a problem that doesn’t exist, and to do so sacrificed ride quality, cost, and repairability.