Towing an enclosed trailer suggestions
03-10-2016, 03:28 PM
#11
Senior Member
I never said I didn't like the grumpy old man part, it reminds me of my grandpa who passed away in 2014.
I wasn't worried about axle clearance. I was thinking tire to fender clearance. It has a torsion axle on it, I know everything there is to know about motorcycles (especially old ones) and fourwheelers. a decent amount about cars and trucks but don't know too much about configuration of trailers. I first hauled two jet skis to panama city beach from chattanooga tennessee when I was 15. I've hauled travel trailers and utility trailers, car trailers, etc. I've pulled my enclosed trailer all over the south running Motocross races. I noticed last year the unusual wear on the tires and figured I would try to solve the issue.
I wasn't worried about axle clearance. I was thinking tire to fender clearance. It has a torsion axle on it, I know everything there is to know about motorcycles (especially old ones) and fourwheelers. a decent amount about cars and trucks but don't know too much about configuration of trailers. I first hauled two jet skis to panama city beach from chattanooga tennessee when I was 15. I've hauled travel trailers and utility trailers, car trailers, etc. I've pulled my enclosed trailer all over the south running Motocross races. I noticed last year the unusual wear on the tires and figured I would try to solve the issue.
03-10-2016, 03:57 PM
#12
Vintage bike builder
Thread Starter
Torsion axle whole new ball game. No springs to change or move the axles 2 one on each side are mounted on rubber bushings inside a tube which is welded to the frame the spring comes from twisting the axle not from spring flex gives a good ride but not very forgiving to overload.
03-10-2016, 04:14 PM
#13
Senior Member
Isn't this from your post (No 9)? "It has a torsion axle on it" Or are you just trolling?
Or is it a torsion axle with leaf springs?
I'd like to see a picture of that.
A quick search of NEW 6X14 enclosed single axle trailer gave a price of $2,200.
It seems you could buy a larger more capable trailer used but in good shape for about that much.
Or is it a torsion axle with leaf springs?
I'd like to see a picture of that.
A quick search of NEW 6X14 enclosed single axle trailer gave a price of $2,200.
It seems you could buy a larger more capable trailer used but in good shape for about that much.
03-10-2016, 05:57 PM
#14
Vintage bike builder
Thread Starter
Isn't this from your post (No 9)? "It has a torsion axle on it" Or are you just trolling?
Or is it a torsion axle with leaf springs?
I'd like to see a picture of that.
A quick search of NEW 6X14 enclosed single axle trailer gave a price of $2,200.
It seems you could buy a larger more capable trailer used but in good shape for about that much.
Or is it a torsion axle with leaf springs?
I'd like to see a picture of that.
A quick search of NEW 6X14 enclosed single axle trailer gave a price of $2,200.
It seems you could buy a larger more capable trailer used but in good shape for about that much.
03-10-2016, 08:33 PM
#15
Senior Member
Yeah, I posted both of those. I know it has leaf springs. I special ordered the trailer from Lark trailers in Georgia and special ordered it with a torsion axle, ramp down back door, side entry door and some light. I'll climb underneath and snap some pics this afternoon. I'm not buying a new trailer I'm not interested in that. I'm interested in what my best route will be to continue using my current trailer and what needs to be changed. So...
Torsion and leaf are two different and independent types of suspension.
You cannot have both.
You had better figure out which you have before we move any further on this topic.
03-10-2016, 10:11 PM
#16
Vintage bike builder
Thread Starter
03-10-2016, 10:21 PM
#17
Senior Member
Just leaf. Here is a link to some torsion examples:
https://www.google.com/search?q=trai...MxAgMQ_AUIBygC
So you can put the axle on the bottom the leaf springs. It will raise the trailer the thickness of the axle. It will make the trailer less stable because it will raise the center of gravity. Same as adding a lift to a truck. It will not increase axle ground clearance except where the leafs cross the axle. It will not increase the load carrying ability of the trailer. It will not change the stance of the tires when the trailer is loaded.
https://www.google.com/search?q=trai...MxAgMQ_AUIBygC
So you can put the axle on the bottom the leaf springs. It will raise the trailer the thickness of the axle. It will make the trailer less stable because it will raise the center of gravity. Same as adding a lift to a truck. It will not increase axle ground clearance except where the leafs cross the axle. It will not increase the load carrying ability of the trailer. It will not change the stance of the tires when the trailer is loaded.
03-10-2016, 10:27 PM
#18
Vintage bike builder
Thread Starter
Just leaf. Here is a link to some torsion examples:
https://www.google.com/search?q=trai...MxAgMQ_AUIBygC
So you can put the axle on the bottom the leaf springs. It will raise the trailer the thickness of the axle. It will make the trailer less stable because it will raise the center of gravity. Same as adding a lift to a truck. It will not increase axle ground clearance except where the leafs cross the axle. It will not increase the load carrying ability of the trailer. It will not change the stance of the tires when the trailer is loaded.
https://www.google.com/search?q=trai...MxAgMQ_AUIBygC
So you can put the axle on the bottom the leaf springs. It will raise the trailer the thickness of the axle. It will make the trailer less stable because it will raise the center of gravity. Same as adding a lift to a truck. It will not increase axle ground clearance except where the leafs cross the axle. It will not increase the load carrying ability of the trailer. It will not change the stance of the tires when the trailer is loaded.
03-10-2016, 11:36 PM
#19
Senior Member
It has a drop to it so the axle tube is lower and does not require a hump in the trailer floor to clear it. Look under a Chrysler minivan rear axle. It looks about the same.
https://www.2carpros.com/questions/p...el-area-rattle
I am not a trailer guy but is seems you should be able to replace the axle with an axle with less or no drop and gain substantial ground clearance. Northern Tools stocks many trailer axles. You may even be able to find one with higher capacity but to complete the puzzle you will likely need new wheels and tires. Still your trailer frame will be the same as before and may limit the weight you can carry.
https://www.2carpros.com/questions/p...el-area-rattle
I am not a trailer guy but is seems you should be able to replace the axle with an axle with less or no drop and gain substantial ground clearance. Northern Tools stocks many trailer axles. You may even be able to find one with higher capacity but to complete the puzzle you will likely need new wheels and tires. Still your trailer frame will be the same as before and may limit the weight you can carry.
03-11-2016, 08:19 AM
#20
Senior Member
And Google "drop axle" will get you pictures of this style.
It does look like a torsion, but the drop is welded in place and doesn't rotate. And with torsion axles, the "drop" part is horizontal to the ground, not vertical. And no leafs.
A drop axle certainly brings the trailer closer to the ground, making it more aerodynamic and easier to load. But not too good for off-road.
It does look like a torsion, but the drop is welded in place and doesn't rotate. And with torsion axles, the "drop" part is horizontal to the ground, not vertical. And no leafs.
A drop axle certainly brings the trailer closer to the ground, making it more aerodynamic and easier to load. But not too good for off-road.