Torsion axel brakes????

[Mary C]

Ok I spent 2 days looking for an answer and now I need an answer because I have to discuss this with someone making a trailer and I am just not sure. If I want electric brakes, and I for some reason can't find any reference to electric brakes on a torsion axle. You can put only one word in search and after reading through 2000 ideas on brakes, a 1000 on torsion I will give up I think we need to start some type of reference library. sorry I am frustrated you all know I will search first. But I cant find all the information I need right now I am thinking of getting a torsion axle with brakes for my next build. does that exist? I have not been able to determine if it is possible. I want to build with 12" wheels, electric brakes, and with a low , low ground clearance it will be a box 4x8 inside of wheel wells. I say Box because I have not decided the exact shape yet. Any help I would appreciate it.

Mary C.

[eamarquardt]

Torsion axles are available with brakes.

This is only one of many trailer suppliers that can provide virtually anything you need:

http://www.trailerpart.com/torsionaxles.htm

Hope this helps.

Cheers,

Gus

[danlott]

I came up with 139 items when I searched for "torsion brakes". Yours was the first post that showed up.

http://www.tnttt.com/search.php?keywords=torsion+brakes

I do not have a torsion axle, but you can get brakes for them. I remember several post on this subject.'

Dan

[Mary C]

Thanks Dan and Gus, Ok so I regress when I get frustrated to a two year old status. for some reason I can only put in one word in the google search or the other one, two words just gets the first word or none at all. Oh well , Thanks for the information, I read the first 6 pages now on to the rest. I am certain I can get the trailer I got made into a little TD pretty quickly and sell it and then get the trailer I want made. Doing a little, making money so to speak to build mine. Friend wants a hunting trailer/blind/sleeping Combo, to just leave on his hunting property, so I showed him a couple of weekenders built on here and he is in love with it and is a mmtb so I get to make him one. Easy Peasy..........$$$$$$$$ for my trailer and axle.

Mary C.

[Bogo]

Dexter's offerings: http://www.dexteraxle.com/literature1
In the left hand column are weight ranges. From the first column is "600-8k Capabilities". Selecting it will download a PDF file that has information for both leaf spring, and Torflex torsion axles. You'll likely want a #8 or #9 size. A few things you'll need to determine are the bracket spacing, wheel offset, tire diameter, desired ground clearance, wheel hub spacing, torsion arm angle, hub bolt circle and # of bolts, parking brake or not, and maybe one or two more things. They have a fitting guide that is mostly diagrams under the Resource Library: http://www.dexteraxle.com/resource_library_ "Axle Measurement" in one of the selection lists on the left column.

Figure out roughly what you need, then look around to see if you can find a place that stocks something close that will work. If not, you can order exactly what you need through a Dexter dealer. One of the headaches is figuring out what some place is selling. Many places don't give full details. Because I want a 6 bolt 5.5 inch bolt circle 10L hub, I'll likely have to order. It isn't stocked by many places, but it is the one that my truck wheels will fit.

BTW, given a choice between lug nut studs and threaded bolt holes, take lug nut studs. Once a bolt gets loose, it unthreads fast and your wheel falls off. I'm often running problems with them on some of my older farm equipment.

[bdosborn]

I have a torsion axle with brakes:



I have a Flexiride, it allows you to change the angle of the torsion arm. The Dexter's are at a fixed angle so you better pick the right one. There are threads on the forum on how to pick an angle and the ride height it it gives you. Not an issue with the Flexiride, you can set it to whatever you want and change it later as the axle settles (yeah, they settle some). The torsion axle gives a great ride.

I'd call Southwest and get a 3,500# axle with brakes and have them spring it at 2,000# (or whatever weight you think your trailer will be).

Flexiride Linky

Bruce

[Dale M.]

Bottom line basic, if there are flanges on axle stubs, you can probably put brakes on it... Brakes come in 7, 10 and 12 inch for basically small trailers and with weight/brake power matched according to size of brakes (in inches)...

Flange is something like this for example...



IF there is no flanges but if axle stub will accept a drum type hub, you can add flanges (if there is room) ....



Dale

[eamarquardt]

Bottom line basic, if there are flanges on axle stubs, you can probably put brakes on it... Brakes come in 7, 10 and 12 inch for basically small trailers and with weight/brake power matched according to size of brakes (in inches)...

Flange is something like this for example...



IF there is no flanges but if axle stub will accept a drum type hub, you can add flanges (if there is room) ....



Dale

There's been considerable discussion on the forum about adding flanges to existing axles. No one, to my knowledge, has done it, let alone successfully.

The flanges would have to be positioned pretty accurately if the brakes are to function properly and for you to get a reasonable life span out of the shoes. The factory, I'm sure, has a jig or fixture to hold them in place while welding them in place. You'd have to fabricate something similar to hold them in place and you'd also have to know where to place them. All doable but it would take some thought, planning, and proper execution.

I wouldn't trust your typical welder to do it accurately as I doubt that he/she would have the proper measuring instruments to do a precise job.

Cheers,

Gus

[Corwin C]

There's been considerable discussion on the forum about adding flanges to existing axles. No one, to my knowledge, has done it, let alone successfully.

The flanges would have to be positioned pretty accurately if the brakes are to function properly and for you to get a reasonable life span out of the shoes. The factory, I'm sure, has a jig or fixture to hold them in place while welding them in place. You'd have to fabricate something similar to hold them in place and you'd also have to know where to place them. All doable but it would take some thought, planning, and proper execution.

I wouldn't trust your typical welder to do it accurately as I doubt that he/she would have the proper measuring instruments to do a precise job.

I have done it ... however, I was under the watchful eye of a professional welder. It was nearly 20 years ago, and 20-25 thousand miles ago, on a tandem axle car carrier (significant weight.) The brakes still work and I believe still have the original linings and magnets. We used copper shims and the hub/drum/bearing/backing plate to locate the flange then it was a simple matter of tacking to avoid movement from heat distortion and then the final welding. Remove the hub and drum and weld from the inside as well. Any competent welder/machinist worth paying ought to be able to do the job. I do agree that it requires some know how and following solid welding processes and procedures, but it's far from an impossible feat to accomplish. If I needed to, I'm confident that I would be able to do it again.

Now I'm not saying that there aren't situations where it couldn't be done, but it wasn't a hopeless issue to install the flanges.

[eamarquardt]

There's been considerable discussion on the forum about adding flanges to existing axles. No one, to my knowledge, has done it, let alone successfully.

The flanges would have to be positioned pretty accurately if the brakes are to function properly and for you to get a reasonable life span out of the shoes. The factory, I'm sure, has a jig or fixture to hold them in place while welding them in place. You'd have to fabricate something similar to hold them in place and you'd also have to know where to place them. All doable but it would take some thought, planning, and proper execution.

I wouldn't trust your typical welder to do it accurately as I doubt that he/she would have the proper measuring instruments to do a precise job.

I have done it ... however, I was under the watchful eye of a professional welder. It was nearly 20 years ago, and 20-25 thousand miles ago, on a tandem axle car carrier (significant weight.) The brakes still work and I believe still have the original linings and magnets. We used copper shims and the hub/drum/bearing/backing plate to locate the flange then it was a simple matter of tacking to avoid movement from heat distortion and then the final welding. Remove the hub and drum and weld from the inside as well. Any competent welder/machinist worth paying ought to be able to do the job. I do agree that it requires some know how and following solid welding processes and procedures, but it's far from an impossible feat to accomplish. If I needed to, I'm confident that I would be able to do it again.

Now I'm not saying that there aren't situations where it couldn't be done, but it wasn't a hopeless issue to install the flanges.

As Corwin said, it takes someone with both a welding background and a machinist's skills to do a proper job. If you have to pay a typical shop rate to have it done, I doubt it would be worth the cost versus a new axle. I also doubt if the fabricator would be willing to guarantee their work. However where there is a will there is a way.

Cheers,

Gus

[angib]

I don't doubt that fitting a new axle would be both cheaper and easier than adding backplates, but a small devil sitting on my shoulder always asks: "couldn't you just energise the brakes so that they locked the brakes (and hence the backplates) centrally in the drums while you tacked the backplates?"

And setting the bearing grease on fire with the tack wled heat would just be a way of adding some excitement to the day......

[eamarquardt]

I don't doubt that fitting a new axle would be both cheaper and easier than adding backplates, but a small devil sitting on my shoulder always asks: "couldn't you just energize the brakes so that they locked the brakes (and hence the backplates) centrally in the drums while you tacked the backplates?"

And setting the bearing grease on fire with the tack weld heat would just be a way of adding some excitement to the day......

If yer quick I'm convinced that you could to it w/o setting the grease on fire. I recently reinforced the wood that my garage door hinges mount to with some angle iron and bar stock. I tacked the two together while they were bolted in place to the wood. My house is still standing w/o any charring to speak of.

I'm confident, as has been reported, that one could fashion a jig to hold the back plate in place while tacking it place. If you have more time than money it would be cost effective. If you had to pay shop rates at a welding shop (with a fabricator that is part machinist) I doubt that it would pay.

If someone in So. Cal. want's to do it, I have all the machines and measuring instruments needed to do it properly. We could fabricate a jig using an old hub and then rent it out and make a fortune and retire in style.

Where there is a will, there is a way.

Cheers,

Gus

[Esteban]

Ok I spent 2 days looking for an answer and now I need an answer because I have to discuss this with someone making a trailer and I am just not sure. If I want electric brakes, and I for some reason can't find any reference to electric brakes on a torsion axle....sorry I am frustrated...I cant find all the information I need right now I am thinking of getting a torsion axle with brakes for my next build. does that exist? I have not been able to determine if it is possible.

Yes it's possible. Not always easy to do on your own.

Helpful idea? Frank Bear's Vintage Technologies website says he sells custom manufactured torsion axles. We offer a complete line of Custom Manufactured Torsion Axles to your specifications, Call us for a quote today!!(269-665-9060) He might be worth a call to see if he sells Dexter and or Flexiride torsion axles. His help may be the solution to get you what you want/need.

Last spring I called Southwest Wheel to ask if they could make a 2K flexiride axle with brake backing plates. I did not ask for a price quote with brakes installed. The sales rep. was not sure if they could. Said he'd look into it and call me back. Days later I had a message on my phone that it would cost $610 for a 2K flexiride axle with electric brakes. I didn't call back to ask the price without the brakes installed. Was price shocked!

Long story short it seems Southwest Wheel can take a special order for a 2k flexiride axle with electric brakes, or with the brake backing plates. 2K flexiride axles with electric brakes are not offered on their web site. It would take a better informed sales rep. to take a customized order than I encountered. (He was very nice on the phone and tried to help). Never found out what the Southwest 2K axle might cost with brake backing plates installed. The brakes, brake hubs, and other installation parts at the time cost about $250 from etrailer. Part of my reason not to want the axle with brakes installed in the beginning was to defer the cost for brake parts until months (years) later when the trailer would be road worthy. Or even later. I did want to be able to order an axle with brake backing plates to be ready to add brakes when, or if, I wanted to.

A 3.5K flexiride axle with electric brakes from Southwest was less than $610 at the time. However, the larger capacity axle with its 10" brakes and brake hubs would add quite a bit of weight I did not want. If I had wanted a 3.5K flexiride axle with electric brakes from Southwest (Price today with electric brakes: $518.95 each), I would have preferred Dexters Never Adjust brakes installed on it, which Southwest didn't carry. It could run up the price more to get the Never Adjust brakes from etrailer or another source. Arrghh, It's oftentimes overly complicated to buy a torsion axle the way you want, once you (hopefully) figure out what you want/need.

Dexter's #9 torsion axle can be ordered with 7" electric brakes installed. Maybe with just the backing plate installed...if you get a cooperative and knowledgeable salesperson to help with the order.

In my opinion there is a great, largely unfilled, need for a person, or a company, to help teardrop trailer builders cut through the confusion to help them buy the right axle for their needs at a fair price.

[Kim Armstrong]

Not sure what's going on at Southwest Wheel. Use to have friendly, knowledgable people there. The last few times I called they were not sure about something, been put on hold twice and no one picked and one time they were just rude.

[Esteban]

Frank Bear sells torsion axles made by Axis, which he said is owned by Dexter. I talked to Frank today to ask a question about his insulated doors and found out they can be ordered in the same finishes and colors as the aluminum siding he sells. Back to axles. Frank said Axis axles take two weeks to ship while Dexter is now taking five weeks to ship. The torsion axles can be ordered with brakes, or just a brake flange installed...which he said many people do to save expense up front.

I updated the dexter axle sticky in Trailer and Chassis Secrets. Frank Bear sells torsion axles