Torsion suspension

['956Wheel]

I have a 95 Thor "Chateau" (22') TT. The suspension is "torsion flex" and seems to be a bit low, the "swingarms" are approx 10 degrees up from horizontal to the pivot points when hooked up with minimum load in the trailer. Anyone out there ever "rebuild" one of these axles? Where can one get parts? Any help appreciated.



Thanks in advance.



Mike

 

[Steve Campbell]

Here is what I "know" about torsion axles. Obviously different weight ratings and widths. The "angle" of the arm can be (I think) anywhere from 22. 5 deg up-22. 5deg down from the factory. Rebuilding is questionable. Perhaps a spacer could be installed to give more ground clerance. Mayber torsion flex is built different than my limited experience. Do you know a good welder who could "twist the axles" to provid more ground clerance?

 

['956Wheel]

Campbell, There isn't anything to twist that would provide more ground clearance.



This design is, by what I'm told, a superior one that has been used for 30+ years and is continued to be used. Torsion flex suspension is not torsion bars, (splined shafts), it contains rubber as the flexing element and is used on farm tank trailers. I have searched the web to see if adjustment is possible, to no avail.



Mike



P. S. I got a buddy outside of Grangeville, retired law enforcement,... . near ya?

 

[CCBrady]

MIKE

I have a 94 20 ft. Chateau with the same axles and it to sat low to the ground. I had a local welder put a 3" lift on it by welding a square tube spacer between the axles and frame. Now I have plenty of clearance and it towes great.

Chris

 

[RedRamer]

There's a local manufacturer that sells his trailers with that torsion / rubber set up.

When we were looking for a trailer last year we went to the plant. Outside the rear door was a pile of these used axles and I asked why there were so many.

He said that what you gotta watch for when you turn corners as these axles have the wheel axle welded into a side plate that swings up and down. When pressured against a curb, like turning a corner, you can bend these plates and you end up with a bad toe-in situation which, it seems can only be fixed by changing the axle.

Just thought I'd mention this as a heads up.

 

['956Wheel]

Hey Brady, If you would can you take a peek underneath and let me know the position of the "swingarm" in relation to the pivot point of the suspension. How high is the axle above the pivot point... or is it higher?



Would GREATLY appreciate this!

Mike

 

['956Wheel]

GOOBER, YOU GOT 386K+! WOW, some of these boys think 200K is special... you got darn near twice that... any pointers?

 

[RedRamer]

Yup... buy e'm used

The guy I bought it from is 62 yrs old and he's on his 4th 2500. Sells e'm every 3 years and puts 300+k on every one. his first one still runs and has over 600k

Simple. He told me to always put in Dodge filters (I buy fleetguard at the local truck repair shop) and change the oil with Rotalla every 10ks.

Been trying to get him to join, but he ain't too computer literate.

 

[CCBrady]

Mike

I took a look and I would say thay are at appox 5 deg up, with the trailer not hooked up but level fwd/aft, with water tank full and who knows how much stuff on board.



I don't know if our axles have the same load rate, but I think they would, and sence you have a little longer trailer than I do, I would think your ok with a little more twist to yours than I do.



Best bet would be to find a dealer and check it out.



Chris

 

['956Wheel]

Brady,



I have tried to get some dependable info on these axles, they come in all configurations to 14K, maybe more. The mfg. faxed me a "general" drawing and it shows the axle dead level with the torsions pivot at full load... mines already beyond that. But it sounds like yours is in about the same position.



On going to a dealer, our trailers are, what they call "orphans", no longer in production. so I've been looking under every trailer I see and most are leaf spring. I was hoping a member out there has a "in production" trailer with torsion flex on it, then I would go to the dealer and check it out.



Hey, thanks for taking a peek under for me, we will hit the road and go for it!



Mike

 

[dmurdock]

award

The Award travel trailers use that setup and are still in production... . only problem is that they are in canada (no dealers, sell factory direct).

Thought i had their website, can't find it. If i do i'll post it...

 

[RedRamer]

That's the co. we went to see last year. The're about an hours drive away.

here's their web site.

http://www.awardrv.com/overview.htm

Not a cheap unit though!!

 

[Steve Campbell]

956wheel, I know there is nothing to adjust on these axles. The "twisting" I was talking about was a wedge mount(necessitating the "good welder"), or as I mentioned a spacer between the axle and trailer... ... ... . and yes... . Grangeville is 62 miles away.

 

[johnrv4]

Trail-lite (manufactured by R-Vision) uses these axles in their travel-trailers. Maybe you can find some information from them. Web address is: www.trail-lite.com

 

[Extreme1]

Torsion axles are NOT repairable or adjustable. A friend of mine works at a plant. The assembly proceedure goes like this:

1) set axle in fixture

2) retrieve stub (the part with the spindle on it)

3) retrieve 4 rubber cylinders from LIQUID NITROGEN and position them around the stub

4) quickly slide the stub and rubber cylinders into the axle

5) make sure your gloves aren't caught and wait for the rubber to expand



If they don't get it on the first try, they're scrapped.



956wheel,

Jack up your trailer so the wheels (or just one side) are off the ground. Measure between the tire and the bottom of the trailer. Now measure it when it's sitting flat on the ground. This is your "sag in" (to use a snowmobile racing term). Compare THAT number with others to determine if you have problems. I would guess not but you never know.



Good Luck.