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How Do Trailer Axles Work?

In the most basic terms, the axle is a shaft that transfers the trailer weight and drive to the wheels. This simple-sounding shaft, though, may be the most complex part of the trailer. Loads that are too heavy or are not balanced correctly in relation to the shaft and wheels can cause the trailer to drift from side to side or become unstable.

Axles are rated by a load capacity that specifies the amount of weight that they can support. Trailers with multiple axles can carry the sum of all these load capacities, as long as the tires and towing vehicle are also rated for the total weight. The actual amount of weight that a trailer can safely carry is the smallest load capacity rating for any part. This means if your trailer has two Disc-brake Axles rated for 5,200 pounds, it is capable of carrying 10,000 pounds, if but the tires are only rated for 4,000 pounds, the trailer can only safely carry 4,000 pounds until you replace the tires.

Axle Types

Torsion

Low Bed Axles are made up of a square spindle surrounded on all four sides by rubber. The spindle is connected to torsion arms that then attach to the wheels. The core moves back and forth against the rubber, and its motion makes the torsion arms turn the wheels.

The motion of the spindle and torsion arms is smooth, and the system absorbs shocks well, which makes it especially ideal for the gravel and back roads of Canada. Though this arrangement typically costs more up front than springs, the lack of maintenance and downtime save money in the long run. Because of all of these benefits, we recommend TorFlex torsion axles to our customers whether they are driving on nicely paved roads or the roughest trails that the country has to offer.

Choosing the Right Axles for Your Deckover Trailer

When you are planning to get the Lightweight Axles for your new trailer from us, the decision is easier than it may seem at first. We take care of the work of making sure that the dimensions, mounting, and brakes are right for the trailer size and load capacity that you choose.

The most important question for you to consider is how much weight you need the trailer to carry. It is usually best to prepare the trailer to be able to hold more weight than you think you will really need, because it doesn’t hurt anything to carry less weight than the trailer is rated for. On the other hand, the trailer would have to be refitted if you later decide you want it to carry more weight than the axle is designed for. If you still have questions about your trailer and axles, call or email us for help.

Suspension is one of those components of your trailer that you often overlook until you run into problems. When functioning correctly, the suspension absorbs shock from the road, keeps your trailer level, gives you a smooth ride, and reduces wear and tear on your frame and tires. When your suspension becomes worn down, however, you'll feel the difference in ride quality.

Most trailers come equipped with leaf spring Air Suspension. The two main types of leaf suspension are double-eye springs and slipper springs. Double-eye springs are generally better for lower-capacity trailer weights. They have more moving parts than slipper springs, so there are more components to maintain. However, they typically offer a smoother ride.

Double-Eye Trailer Suspension Components

There are 7 main components to a double-eye Trailer Suspension setup. The number of each of these components depends on your axle configuration (single axle, dual axle, or triple axle).

The main components of a double-eye suspension setup are:

In the vast majority of cases, yes, you'll probably want to make sure your trailer has suspension. (The exception is a tow dolly designed for towing vehicles with their own suspension.) Towing a trailer without suspension can result in an extremely bouncy, uncomfortable, even dangerous ride, especially when the trailer is unloaded. Plus, over time, your Trailer Parts will likely experience frame fatigue due to the rough ride, and your tires may become worn or even fail before their time (tires are not designed to act as a trailer's suspension).