6000# Single Axles

[OverTheTopCargoTrailer]

I had to replace the factory 2900# torsion axle on my 6x12 and decided to up the ante with a 5000# torsion. HUGE, GIANT, TERRIFICALLY BAD mistake. If I were able to turn back time I would put a 5000# axle on it with 3500# springs... you can always adjust from there. I'm actually considering modifying my torsion axle to work with springs.

I have never heard of a 2,900 lbs torsion, was it made in China ?
Dexter min is 3,000 lbs , 98% are 3,500 lbs - but what did you do to screw it up ?
You seam to want the reader to think it just failed - no reason at all !!
Let's be honest & tell readers springs fail 24/7 in under 60 sec flat & that why
You can fix then at every street corner.

Who was the bright guy who sold you on a 5,000 lbs torsion for a little trailer
Most folks seam to know that a torsion is smooth as silk loaded 80-90% of rated weight
You don't buy an expensive torsion for an empty trailer.

[A Plus MM]

I had to replace the factory 2900# torsion axle on my 6x12 and decided to up the ante with a 5000# torsion. HUGE, GIANT, TERRIFICALLY BAD mistake. If I were able to turn back time I would put a 5000# axle on it with 3500# springs... you can always adjust from there. I'm actually considering modifying my torsion axle to work with springs.

I have never heard of a 2,900 lbs torsion, was it made in China ?
Dexter min is 3,000 lbs , 98% are 3,500 lbs - but what did you do to screw it up ?
You seam to want the reader to think it just failed - no reason at all !!
Let's be honest & tell readers springs fail 24/7 in under 60 sec flat & that why
You can fix then at every street corner.

Who was the bright guy who sold you on a 5,000 lbs torsion for a little trailer
Most folks seam to know that a torsion is smooth as silk loaded 80-90% of rated weight
You don't buy an expensive torsion for an empty trailer.

Doh (said in my best Homer Simpson voice), you are right, the axle was rated for 3500# (according to their website, they make one with a weight rating as low as 600#). I decided to go with a heavier axle because I was loaded a little over 3500# and didn't want my new axle damaged. My mistake was that this weight rating is too stiff for my load and everything excessively bounces around in the trailer. If I had put springs on it I could have adjusted (replaced) them with lighter/heavier springs as needed. The new 5200# Dexter has not failed at all, I have just come to the realization that springs would have been adjustable and easier to fix and when it does fail it will have to be replaced entirely to the tune of some $700 if I remember correctly. And BTW, torsion axles do fail also, that's why I had to replace mine. Just my $.02.

BTW OTTCT, are you getting a little snippy with it being so cold?

[OverTheTopCargoTrailer]

A Plus MM

I'm not trying to be snippy , but generally torsion just don't fail driving down the road if properly maintained.
Now if you never lube them , bust them on a curb or a ditch, overload them, drive out of level , get rammed in an accident - ok !! I would guess if loaded to the max & you hit a large pot hole the rubber might jump.
So I'm curious how or why yours failed ?


As springs are 90-95% of the market, and do rust and break easy, yes they are easier & cheaper to fix / repair.
I would rather pay the extra $400 more per axel and not have the possible hassle.

I have trailer with & trailer without and much prefer torsion , but again I also try to drive careful.

[A Plus MM]

...I'm curious how or why yours failed ?

I bought the trailer used from a construction company that kept it overloaded for an extended period of time (I guess). The "spring" was "sprung" - there was no suspension to it. I personally would prefer being able to change the weight rating of the trailer as it's use changes.

[OverTheTopCargoTrailer]

Ok - thanks , you bought yours broke

I can understand why in your case you may prefer springs. There is nothing wrong with springs if you
Understand their use & maintenance and are happy because of the price.

I guess I have just developed a pet peeve here as some folks talk SMACK about torsion axels,
On closer exaim, then never owned one, never used one, never had one break or can never afford one !
Most Don't really even know what it is or how they work.
They don't know better !! When someone makes a BLANKET STATEMENT OF FACT!!
That they are so much superior. Same as saying drum breaks are better then disks !!


When a nubie asks a question - it just hurts me to see them get bombarded with a garbage answer
I like to see them get the correct info & then they can decide what works - with their budget !!

[A Plus MM]

Ok - thanks , you bought yours broke

I can understand why in your case you may prefer springs. There is nothing wrong with springs if you
Understand their use & maintenance and are happy because of the price.

Yeah, bought it broke without knowing it until a couple weeks later I jacked it up to change the tires and the suspension didn't move, I started investigating and figured out it was toast.

Not to get too far off topic but while looking up details on Dexter's website I see they now have air ride systems for small trailers. SWEET! I didn't see any info about weight ratings though.

[roadinspector]

Ok - thanks , you bought yours broke

I can understand why in your case you may prefer springs. There is nothing wrong with springs if you
Understand their use & maintenance and are happy because of the price.

I guess I have just developed a pet peeve here as some folks talk SMACK about torsion axels,
On closer exaim, then never owned one, never used one, never had one break or can never afford one !
Most Don't really even know what it is or how they work.
They don't know better !! When someone makes a BLANKET STATEMENT OF FACT!!
That they are so much superior. Same as saying drum breaks are better then disks !!


When a nubie asks a question - it just hurts me to see them get bombarded with a garbage answer
I like to see them get the correct info & then they can decide what works - with their budget !!

Hey Jerry!
SMACK!! Torsion axels! SMACK!!
Earnest

[OverTheTopCargoTrailer]

Earnest

I know your kidding, because no torsion axel has ever ended up in a cars windshield
while falling apart , how many busted springs have you found on the highway ?

[roadinspector]

Jerry,
Actually I haven't found any in several years. Back in the dark ages I did find pieces parts from busted leafs to keepers. I'd keep the leafs and make knives out of them. if ya don't overload, never saw a problem as long as maintained. If you overloaded, pop goes the weasel! Either they're using better material now or folks are catching on. When I did find a busted leaf, you generally could see fault in the metallurgy.
Earnest

[OverTheTopCargoTrailer]

they never really put out the stats how many die from road debris, but i know the number is quite high



https://www.aaafoundation.org/sites/default/files/VRRD.pdf

[MtnDon]

I dunno, but the only broken springs I've ever had were from overload abuse combined with rough roads. Luckily the breaks were never in the main leaf but were in the pack. I'd notice it as a sag to one side.

[roadinspector]

Kinda like the holes in my belt. They keep stretching out from overload abuse!!

[hankaye]

Howdy All;

Only time I've found or seen broken spring leaves were on Coal trucks
when I used to drive'em back in the early 90's. Haul roads ain't the smoothest
and you ain't got a load till the loader operator sez ya gotta load ... coal
drippin over the sides as you find your way to the main road... (ie. 26 tons
loaded into a truck designed to carry 15 tons.

hank