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Trailer suspension design
zilspeed - 5/7/05 at 04:40 PM

Further to my previous post in which I promised pics of an entirely wombled design involving recycled escort/orion/fiesta rear hubs.

You will hopefully see from the pics that it is extremely simple, involves no springing medium at all and allows a tilting trailer with a very very low bed height and no need for ramps.
Comments, Questions ?

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P.S. Not my 'facility' - all the locals will work it out easily though

[Edited on 5/7/05 by zilspeed]


clbarclay - 5/7/05 at 04:50 PM

Know as a walking beam axle, had them on ag and industrial trailers for years. The major down side is that with no spring they bounce like hell a high speed, 40 km/h behind a tractor with one seems to quick.

It can be improved by adding suspension to the draw bar, but still not a nice ride.



You could add suspension to the central pivot meaning you can still get away with not needing rams.

[Edited on 5/7/05 by clbarclay]

[Edited on 5/7/05 by clbarclay]


Dick Axtell - 5/7/05 at 04:51 PM

If you have ZERO suspension springing, (i.e. compliance), you may have to severely restrict your towing speed. Unsprung trailers can become uncontrollable at high speeds.

Don't forget tyre springing changes dramatically, from static condition, to dynamic, rolling condition.


zilspeed - 5/7/05 at 04:59 PM

Fair enough chaps. I'll only comment on this trailer as it is my only experience of the concept. It does seem very stable and does seem to be very much under control.
As an asides, I honestly see this as being quite different to one where the hubs are simply bolted to the chassis with no movement permitted at all. Surely that is an honest definition of no compliance. This setup does have compliance in practical terms.
I'm listening and more than willing to learn though.

P.S. the builder is a retired trucker and freely admits to having used the idea from HGV practice of many years ago.


tks - 5/7/05 at 06:57 PM

wy not make an suspension trailer just wider??

then you can put the car between the otherwheels?

whats the max vehicle with?

maybe with small tyres?

Tks


clbarclay - 5/7/05 at 07:57 PM

quote:
Originally posted by zilspeed
As an asides, I honestly see this as being quite different to one where the hubs are simply bolted to the chassis with no movement permitted at all.


Do you have an example to hand (photo)

If you want cheap suspension then cut the rear axle of a transit (fwd) complete with leaf springs.

As far as i understand max vehicle width is 3m with no problems, over that and you need police supervision etc.


JoelP - 5/7/05 at 09:32 PM

i thought it was 8 feet max...


andyps - 5/7/05 at 10:39 PM

I may be totally wrong, but I thought that all trailers for road use have to have suspension.