Independent Trailer Suspension
Independent Trailer Suspension
(OP)
I am building an offroad trailer and looking for alternatives to the standard leaf spring setup. The torsion axles have proved to be ineffective. I am looking into doing a trailing arm setup and looking for some sort of resource to start a design. Everything that I have found, mostly books for designing your own auto suspension, spend a paragraph denouncing the trailiing arm suspension and move on. The most prominat problem being flexing of the arm during lateral acceleration, not an issue on a trailer. Adventure Trailers in the US as well as several Australian manufacturers of offroad trailers build in this arangement and it seems to be universally praised.
If this wasn't going to be pulled down the highway, I would be more inclined to experiment, but is it as easy as it looks? A pin located beam with a spring/damper system locating a wheel hub? I can almost see that problem in an old text...
If this wasn't going to be pulled down the highway, I would be more inclined to experiment, but is it as easy as it looks? A pin located beam with a spring/damper system locating a wheel hub? I can almost see that problem in an old text...





RE: Independent Trailer Suspension
On the other hand, as you say, it makes for a neat package.
How about a leading arm instead? Same package and you should find it tracks better.
Cheers
Greg Locock
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RE: Independent Trailer Suspension
I think a semi trailing arm can have toe in on compression and from memory, I think the system used on post swing axle rear engined VWs and Porsches do give some toe in on compression.
I think the amount of negative camber and toe gains is dependant on initial ride height and inclination of the pivot point axis in both for aft and horizontal planes.
Regards
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RE: Independent Trailer Suspension
Please tell me more.
Dan Timberlake
RE: Independent Trailer Suspension
RE: Independent Trailer Suspension
RE: Independent Trailer Suspension
Shocks would also help.
If you intend to go without shocks, use leaf springs as they are self damping to a degree.
Regards
eng-tips, by professional engineers for professional engineers
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RE: Independent Trailer Suspension
I had intended on using the adjustable Rancho shocks, and had been thinking about an airbag setup, but might go with coils with an inflateable bladder in them for weight compensation and ease of installation/set up.
THe Adventure Trailers setup uses straight airbags.
RE: Independent Trailer Suspension
Cheers
Greg Locock
Please see FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips.
RE: Independent Trailer Suspension