trailer trailing arm suspension

Talk to these guys:

Trailer Parts Pty Ltd
81 Challenge Blv Wangara WA 6065
ph: (08) 9302 2800

Dave,

My offroad trailer has independant trailing arm leaf suspension c/w shocks.
Very good to tow with both loaded and unloaded.

There is a pic of the suspension in my rig pics if you want to have a look.

Cheers Kev

I started some preliminary drawings a while back for one with independent suspension. Do you have a CAD package? They were done on AutoCAD R14 but will import into others. I can send it to you.

Dave,

Google "Control rider" or "Simplicity", should get you heaps of info.
"Control Rider" supply it assembled to the dimensions you require
and you just bolt/weld it in position. I know you asked for design info to make it yourself but this may be an option.
You see a lot of both types under "offroad" vans and campers at caravan shows.

Cheers,
Scrubcat

Dave,

I've got some photos of suspension on a home made trailer. Give us an email address, and I'll send them through.

Bob.

Our Campomatic has a trailing arm coil and shock setup - been trouble free. Seems most advanced ($$$) trailers and some caravans use this setup (Trakmaster sell a lot of their "sugar-glider" TA coil,and shock setup). Chief benefits as I know them are improved central ground clearance and the independent factor breaks up "harmonics" in the overall trailer as it rattles along rough roads (especially corrugations). Not sure if Campo made their own or bought the suspension in as a unit (mine was pre the Trakshak buyout) - there are various makers of "bolt on " systems. Anyone with high quality welding skills and equipment (plus metal cutting gear) could make one I suppose - ours looks rather simple in design - there is an eccentric bolt in the mix one side for correction of alignment. There must be a restraint mechanism of some sort to hold the suspension together (ours is a webbing sling type) should a shocker go free - otherwise the spring will jump out and the whole lot collapses (uncommon, but has happened to some users).

Our Aussieswag has the Kanga trailing arm suspension - They are in Albury - The trailer tows like a dream.

You could also try these guys LINK

Cheers, Trevor.

Dave,

I've just purchased a 10 year old lightweight hard top camper which has AL-KO rubberised suspension and Bilstein Shocks. The previous owner towed it all around the country without any drama and it towed beautifully back from Qld which included some easy dirt. I don't think I'd do any serious tracks with it though.

Hello All,

Thanks for all the responses! Sorry I havent come back to the forum but have been off interstate working.

Have come across most of what has been suggested and have rulled them out for a few reasons...

Sugar Glider suspension runs out to $2400 with their hubs and brakes, The Gaffa Suspension uses some odd imported shocker that seems difficult to replace and the Vehicle Components trailing arm suspension (coils) only has 30mm of travel! (YES - 3 0 mm of travel!!)

Louie the offer of the CAD drawings is much appreciated - I have software that will let me open autocad files.

Bob Y - any images of what you have built would also be helpful

My email address is davedavezz@yahoo.com.au

Unfortunately unless I find another solution it seems the trailer may end up with leaf springs.....


Thanks again


Dave