Overland Trailer suspension options??

[SnowLizard]

this trailer is strictly cargo. no RTT or kitchen, or electricity...

here's my setup right now...
20150701_000729 by Richard Gunn, on Flickr
20150701_000704 by Richard Gunn, on Flickr

I need to replace my axle and I figure I'd get the best I can... and swap the tires to match my 4runner bolt pattern.

I took some pictures of some boat trailers that really show off the type of suspensions... I'll let you ORDER them from best to worse in terms of smooth/overland/capacity/strength...

A) current.... torsion bar
20160604_173205 by Richard Gunn, on Flickr

B) dual leaf springs
20160604_173218 by Richard Gunn, on Flickr

C) single leaf spring, 3 link variant
20160604_173026 by Richard Gunn, on Flickr

D) dual coils with shocks, 3 link setup!!
20160604_172250 by Richard Gunn, on Flickr
20160604_172239 by Richard Gunn, on Flickr

In my opinion the weakest to strongest I'd put it this way...
A) 10 yrs old and it sags...
C) idk about the side to side roll with 1500-2000lbs on top of the axle like that
B) proven solid
D) didn't know you could to this!!!

if you were going to swap the axle out, which suspension would you choose?

 

[Nickrav4]

On my boat trailer (boat/motor/fuel is around 3500 pounds), I have just like your "B" picture, just leaf springs. Towing on the road its great but if you hit any pot holes or anything it seems to be very bouncy for me. I can only imagine how bouncy it might be for an overland trailer set up. The shock/spring set up might be your best option so it dampens and absorbs more of the terrain you throw at it.

 

[SnowLizard]

I also posted on expo portal, some one mentioned that on the trail if a trailing arm snagged up on a rock or anything there's potential that it won't track and cause other problems...

I also learned that my A picture is the best setup that I posted, which I didn't know... It's essentially independent suspension... Timbren makes them without the bar across...

Ive also learned that if your springs are too high of load cap you'll get that bounce you described, take out a spring and it should smooth out like butter or get lower capacity lbs springs.

I'm learning something new and it's definitely going to be considered.

 

[jwkilgore]

Ive also learned that if your springs are too high of load cap you'll get that bounce you described, take out a spring and it should smooth out like butter or get lower capacity lbs springs.

The problem with trailer springs is that the load varies so much. Size the springs for max loaded weight and it'll bounce like crazy when towing lightly loaded. Size for light loads and it'll bottom out when max loaded. The best setup would be adjustable or progressive. Progressive would be a variable-rate coil or having light leaf springs with heavy helper leafs. And keep in mind that side-to-side articulation isn't that important with trailers. The entire trailer will just tilt.

 

[SnowLizard]

you're absolutely right. weight sucks the fun out of it... air bags are just not long term.

this trailer is will probably only see dirt roads, so a torsion is probably as good as it gets setup...