Torq Axle: Which Way Does it Point?

[WilmacMike]

Hello,

I need some help with a couple of questions.
I have a commercially built single rail motorcycle trailer I would like to use as a frame for my small single sleeper teardrop.

It uses a Henschen axle. Here is the problem (I think). If I remember correctly I read something somewhere (it may have been the GKN axle website) that says the rotating spindle should be mounted as a trailing arm facing rearward of the trailer?

Is this correct? If so, then this trailer was built incorrectly because the arm faces forward.

If it faces forward rather than rearward what will the problem be?

How will it affect the operation of the trailer going down the road?

If it truly is mounted wrong that maybe the reason I have not been able to locate the builder. Their website is no longer available. Maybe they had problems with the trailer design. All I know when I load up a large motorcycle (800lbs) it seems to tow nicely.

I have not been able to load the picture of the trailer onto my post, however it is in my gallery. I'll keep trying.

Any comments would really help.

Thanks,
Mike

[Shadow Catcher]

A trailing arm suspension moves up and slightly back from bumps. In a situation as lite as a motorcycle trailer this is probably not a big problem. Is this a problem with a small teardrop, it is harder on tires and if you are on unimproved roads it could be.

[angib]

Many small moulded fiberglass trailers had leading arm axles like you have and they worked fine for 20-30 years. So it's not an immediate 'fail'.

Your photo is tiny so it's hard to see the detail. It looks like the axle has quite a high 'start angle' so that if you held the trailer in mid-air the leading arms will point forwards and downwards at 45 degrees or so. That is not ideal when in use - but when loaded the arm will sink some. If its loaded position is near horizontal then I say you've got no problem. If it's still up near 45 degrees, then it will have limited suspension action - which is not ideal.

I suggest you get a heavy friend to assist you by standing on the trailer to imitate the weight of the trailer body, while you look underneath to see what angle the arm goes to, and report back.

[WilmacMike]

Thank you for your help.

When I put a large motorcycle on the trailer the suspension drops a bit as it should.

I will measure how much more movement I have after the bike is on the trailer. I do like how the axle and the frame sit with low ground clearance.

I also like the way the torsion arm would move up, back and away from the bumps as does a springer front end on custom motorcycles. However it maybe the wrong set up for a teardrop trailer.

I'll study it for awhile.

Thanks again,

Mike