Spring Trailer Axle vs Torsion Trailer Axle, Which Is Best?
The two main types of trailer axles available are spring axles and torsion axles. The following will help you understand the difference between them, and what applications they are used for.
Spring Trailer Axle
Spring axles are some of the most commonly used and easily identifiable shafts. They are also generally the least expensive to install and maintain, which is part of the reason for their popularity.
Spring trailer axles are constructed from bent metal leaf springs. The load rating will determine how many vanes are in the spring structure.
Some of the benefits of spring design include:
Easy maintenance by replacing our parts, including spring blades.
Low cost to manufacture and install.
Provides reliable tire wear, including on multi-axle trailers.
The entire axle can be replaced without welding.
Spring axles are best for utility trailers where drier, smoother loads and travel are required. Applications that contain saltwater and high moisture can cause leaves to rust and snap off quickly.
Torsion Trailer Axle
Torsion shafts are completely different from spring shafts. In these applications, no spring leaves will rust or crack.
Instead, square beams are mounted across the width of the trailer. Inside this beam is an inner square piece that is mounted on the wheel. It is mounted with four torsion bars, which are long rubber cords.
As the wheel moves up and down the road, it rotates the inner square. As it spins, it bends the torsion bar, bringing the wheel back to the center.
The rubber torsion bar is what makes these trailer axles ideal for high humidity applications. Rubber does not corrode as easily as metal.
The torsion axle is also available as a half-span option, which does not span the entire width of the trailer. Instead, each wheel has its own torsion shaft, half welded to the wheel's frame. This allows greater independence for each wheel.
Some of the benefits of torsion design include:
No metal on metal parts
Maintenance-free
Reduce road noise
Galvanized for corrosion resistance
Warranty is usually longer than spring shafts
How to Choose the Right Size?
As you can see, no one trailer axle is perfectly suitable for all applications. Thus, understanding your specific use case can help you better choose the right trailer axle.
Spring trailer axles are best for:
Heavy objects
Multi-axis
Standard road trip
A torsion trailer axle is more suitable for:
Saltwater environments such as tugboats
Windy conditions
Applications with a lot of vibration, such as wood chippers
It can be difficult to decide which type of axle you need. Many people jump straight to the spring shafts as they are the most common. But it doesn't necessarily fit your car. If you are still not sure which trailer axle you should choose, you can contact us to assess your needs and we will definitely help you make the best choice.
Haway is a professional custom trailer axles accessories supplier in China for over 20 years. we have always been committed to providing customers with more services and promoting common development, such as free drawings, joint development of new products, market research, analysis, etc. "Parts are made to perfection" is our culture. Our quest is to do everything well, produce high-quality trailer accessories, and be a trusted company.
