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10k Buggy Hauler Trailer Build - Torsion Axles?

Dan_Goodwin

Dan_Goodwin

Red Skull Member
Joined
Jun 25, 2020
Member Number
2170
Messages
94
Loc
Birmingham, AL
I am in the planning stages of a 22' full width 10k trailer build and the design will be loosely based off of a PJ B5 buggy hauler . I told myself after building a 12' utility trailer that it makes way more sense to buy one...but here we are. Aside from the lead times I keep hearing, the thing that is tipping the scales toward another build is the opportunity to get a pair of installed a few years ago and never used 5200# torsion axles for just about free. In all my research PJ is the only company that uses them on an equipment trailer and it's a tilt unit. Why is that? Am I missing something obvious as to why they can't or aren't used more often? I have a decent understanding of trailer suspension and know that these axles will be independent of each other, so the load won't be shared between the axles like a leaf spring setup with equalizer bar. What say ye Irate4x4?
 
7k torsion axles on my enclosed goose, rides nice.

Maybe they're more expensive than beam axles and springs? Not sure, but they are only used in places where you need a low deck height from what I can tell.
 
My 28' enclosed trailer has 7k torsion axles. Besides the box on top of the frame how would it be any different loading than a flat deck equipment trailer with torsion axles?
 
All of the sprung weight is still transferred to a frame or frame rail. I don't see any difference, other than an open deck trailer would have to have a stiffer deck structure than an enclosed to keep its shape.
 
Torsion axles will ride worse without weight on them, my buddy has a 20' flat deck and hates the torsion axles since he pulls it empty or lightly loaded often. The equalizer on leafs does a lot more than you'd think.

Another buddy manages a place that works on trailers every day, he is not a fan of them either, said they wear quicker.

I think they are better suited for enclosed trailers or something that's loaded most of the time.
 
Again first hand experience. 14k, tall, deck over, goose. I have over 50k miles at least on this thing. No maintenance required on the torsions in 18yrs i have owned it. Super smooth and quiet when empty or loaded. Most places will tell u they dont reccomend them for unpaved roads but i have never had an issue getting in and out of offroad parks and camp grounds.

20150604_115321_resized.jpg
 
14K drive over fender 20' w/2' dove on 7K torsion axles. Trailer is heavy enough that it pulls just fine empty/light load. Deck height was the big push for what I bought, deck height was split right between my 7k car hauler it was replacing and the PJ B5 14K spring trailer sitting next to this one on the trailer dealer lot.

20190622_175424 (2) (1024x576).jpg
 
JunkCJ6 said:
14K drive over fender 20' w/2' dove on 7K torsion axles. Trailer is heavy enough that it pulls just fine empty/light load. Deck height was the big push for what I bought, deck height was split right between my 7k car hauler it was replacing and the PJ B5 14K spring trailer sitting next to this one on the trailer dealer lot.

How do you like that Titan trailer? I've been trying to find one local to look at, but no luck. Any idea on empty weight? I've priced out a 22ft Diamond C, but want to compare it to one of these.


OP - We have a exiss 10k aluminum car trailer that is almost 20years old on torsion and it rides just as nice now , as it did when we first got it. Empty or loaded. Never have had problems with it.
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Og48 said:
How do you like that Titan trailer? I've been trying to find one local to look at, but no luck. Any idea on empty weight? I've priced out a 22ft Diamond C, but want to compare it to one of these.


OP - We have a exiss 10k aluminum car trailer that is almost 20years old on torsion and it rides just as nice now , as it did when we first got it. Empty or loaded. Never have had problems with it.
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I have been extremely happy with it. Weld quality is good, extended width is structural channel, not bent diamond plate like the pj. Like the fact there is under deck storage for the ramps or you can stand them up. Pulls straight and doesn't bounce around empty like you would expect a 14k to. Adj height hitch and 10k drop leg jack. Bought it cheap, sat on the lot for 3 years, everybody wanted the powdercoated pj b5, not the painted titan and it was marked down $1k from msrp. Not sure on weight, it isn't the lightest out there, but that shows in the material used and design. I would guess just shy of 4k as titan lists the base 22' at 3640# and i would guess the extra width would add a couple hundred pounds.
 
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If I am correct, torsion axles arent trcommended for offroad conditions because if you go over a bump and the weight is placed on only one axle, you might overload it and bend it

Then again horse trailers are torsion so who knows.

I think they also allow lower overall height (and cog)
 
JunkCJ6 said:
14K drive over fender 20' w/2' dove on 7K torsion axles. Trailer is heavy enough that it pulls just fine empty/light load. Deck height was the big push for what I bought, deck height was split right between my 7k car hauler it was replacing and the PJ B5 14K spring trailer sitting next to this one on the trailer dealer lot.

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That's exactly what I'm looking for. What size channel is the tongue and bed structure?
 
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JunkCJ6 said:
Tongue is 7", frame is double 5" channel. Crossmembers are 3" on 16" centers. Wood deck is 18', 2 foot of flat diamond plate and 2 foot diamond plate dovetail. 6' fold up ramps, that can be stored underneath. Ramps have a drop leg for loading up heavy.

https://www.titantrailer.com/product...VPK5KGAL07OHMJ
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Curious how the ramps work, any chance for a close up shot next time you're around it? Debating about doing this to my PJ B5 if possible.

Thanks!
 
honEXduner said:
Curious how the ramps work, any chance for a close up shot next time you're around it? Debating about doing this to my PJ B5 if possible.

Thanks!
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Here are a few pics, can get more if you need. The ramp stand up arm pivots off of the ramp, so if you take the ramp off, it stays with the ramp. There is a spring loaded release that lets the drop leg flop down off of the ramp. The ramp has a finger welded to the pivot end that hooks over the outer hinge plate to keep the ramp from moving back and forth when it is stood up.
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We only order equipment trailers with torsion axles for our skids in the fleet at work. There's just that much less damage to the skids over their lifetime going that route. It's more money up front and the lead time stinks, especially right now. I just ordered an 18' unit and it's 12-14 weeks out from a local'ish builder that I buy 2-5 trailers a year from. I've got a couple trailers though that see 20k miles a year on their 16th year in service though.

They don't self equalize, so if you hook it to multiple trucks, make sure the coupler is adjustable or the draw bar is, or both and you use it.

Keep up to date on maintenance as well as leveling the trailer. Roaching a spindle is not a cheap or time efficient repair. It is not like just going to a trailer shop and either getting or ordering a $100 tube with spindles at your width. I have an extra 3.5k and 7k torsion axle to our spec in stock at all times for just this reason and our units get biannual maintenance.

I've got a 38' enclosed of my own and I spec'ed twin 8k torsions. It's worth it.
 
JunkCJ6 said:
Here are a few pics, can get more if you need. The ramp stand up arm pivots off of the ramp, so if you take the ramp off, it stays with the ramp. There is a spring loaded release that lets the drop leg flop down off of the ramp. The ramp has a finger welded to the pivot end that hooks over the outer hinge plate to keep the ramp from moving back and forth when it is stood up.
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Thanks that helps alot, pretty slick if you ask me, beats having to drag them out from underneath all the time.
 
honEXduner said:
Thanks that helps alot, pretty slick if you ask me, beats having to drag them out from underneath all the time.
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Yes it does, the only time I put them in the pockets is during real long trips.
 
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