Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

Are you happy with the suspension type that you have on your Teardrop?

I have not pulled mine yet it is shocks and leaf it is an old boat trailer.

I use leaf springs because I can get repairs or parts almost anywhere.

I used a torsion axle so I wouldn't have to get parts anywhere!

Gaston wrote:I used a torsion axle so I wouldn't have to get parts anywhere!

Good answer.
I have leaf springs. They came on the trailer I used as a donner.

Cheers
Paul

For the most part the only trailers I've seen along side the road were POS trailers with leaf springs, flat tires or wheel bearings that were not maintained. If I was to build an off road trailer it would probably have a 3500# axle, 2000# leaf springs and shocks. I like my independent suspension Flexiride axle, the only plans I have to take it off the pavement is when I back into a campsite.

My original torsion axle went out after 58 years, luckily in the driveway, the Tear did look nice lowered 4". So I guess if your building a tear with a torsion axle plan on replacing it in 57 years!

Sort of a Ford VS Chevy thing....I've done 3 with springs, because I can walk in and buy the axle right now, but have built lots of smaller utility trailers with springs and torsion axles...If you want a heavier duty trailer, you can always stick in a new pair of heavier springs, provided you have the frame for it, which is cheaper than a whole axle assembly, but this assumes you're talking about a custom build, not a frame out of a box. I miscalculated the unbuilt weight on my first one and hammered it out on the highway...way too fast on rough highway...a 12$ fix in Minden got me home and I slipped in a new pair of stronger springs. .....Doug

Leaf's on mine for most of the reasons mentioned above.

I think many leaf failures are caused by builders tightening the shackle bolts to tight to where the leaf can't swivel on the bolts which will certainly break a leaf eventually. Also bolts should be inspected and lubed periodically to prevent wear. Should be done much more often if you're an off road-er.

Agree with Doug. Both can work well.

I own a collection of trailers (travel, flat bed tandem, box, tear) half with springs and half with torsion. No problems with any of them.

My tear is a torsion axle. My next tear (if there is one) might have either, depending on other factors.

dave

I've got trailers with both. I prefer the torsion axel on the tear because it is cleaner, and I can get the ride height where I want it (low) easier.

I've broken several springs over the years, and worn out many bushings and shackles. These were all on large tandem axel flatbed trailers that had a LOT of miles on them, and were usually loaded VERY heavy.

I have a little (1000 pound capacity) utility trailer that is 30 years old and still has the original springs, and has never given me any trouble. I very rarley load it any where near capacity (usually just haul the garden tractor with it), but have had it maxed out a few times.