rebar Posted April 14, 2019 Report Share Posted April 14, 2019 (edited) Good morning people! I was wondering if there is a better tandem set up then I'm about to mention, short of independent suspension. I want to install 7k 8 lug straight axles (to use trailer spare for both trailer and truck) but use 4000# leaf springs because the trailer is only 7x16 and might weigh 8K wet. I'm envisioning crossing many washed out ruts and gullies, creek crossings and baby head size boulder's along the way in colorado, so I need to prepare both axles to see the majority of the weight when one axle drops into a low spot. The equalizer will be important and the best Ive found so far is the morryde CRE3000, but I doubt any equalizer will prevent loading one axle with most of the weight traveling on forest service roads. And then venturing off to find a secluded camp spot. Does this sound like a good plan? Suggestions? Thanks! Edited April 14, 2019 by rebar Quote 1997 Ram ctd 4x4 5 speed 3.54 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TLRam1 Posted April 18, 2019 Report Share Posted April 18, 2019 (edited) Sounds interesting, I am in for the comments. You may want top post this up in General though to get more responses. Edited April 18, 2019 by TLRam1 Quote Terry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rebar Posted April 18, 2019 Author Report Share Posted April 18, 2019 2 hours ago, TLRam1 said: Sounds interesting, I am in for the comments. You may want top post this up in General though to get more responses. Thanks TLRam1. Can I double post like that? Quote 1997 Ram ctd 4x4 5 speed 3.54 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alie&Jim's Carrilite Posted April 18, 2019 Report Share Posted April 18, 2019 11 hours ago, rebar said: Thanks TLRam1. Can I double post like that? Hit the "Quote" plus sign and it will post what was written in the comment box. The only thing I would be concerned about with running 2 7k axles is the weight you are carrying isn't enough for the suspension to work. That's assuming that you are going to use the 7k springs. Quote Alie & Jim + 8 paws 2017 DRV Memphis BART- 1998 Volvo 610 Lil'ole 6cyl Cummins Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rebar Posted April 19, 2019 Author Report Share Posted April 19, 2019 1 hour ago, Alie&Jim's Carrilite said: Hit the "Quote" plus sign and it will post what was written in the comment box. The only thing I would be concerned about with running 2 7k axles is the weight you are carrying isn't enough for the suspension to work. That's assuming that you are going to use the 7k springs. I'm going to mix and match 4k springs on 7k axles .. Ive heard I should consider slipper leaf springs.. Quote 1997 Ram ctd 4x4 5 speed 3.54 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TLRam1 Posted April 19, 2019 Report Share Posted April 19, 2019 20 hours ago, rebar said: Thanks TLRam1. Can I double post like that? It is not good to double post like that but when you make a mistake, you can ask a admin to move your post or double post. This topic is not Boondocking specific. Quote Terry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ALLOY Posted September 3, 2019 Report Share Posted September 3, 2019 (edited) On 4/14/2019 at 8:04 AM, rebar said: Good morning people! I was wondering if there is a better tandem set up then I'm about to mention, short of independent suspension. I want to install 7k 8 lug straight axles (to use trailer spare for both trailer and truck) but use 4000# leaf springs because the trailer is only 7x16 and might weigh 8K wet. I'm envisioning crossing many washed out ruts and gullies, creek crossings and baby head size boulder's along the way in colorado, so I need to prepare both axles to see the majority of the weight when one axle drops into a low spot. The equalizer will be important and the best Ive found so far is the morryde CRE3000, but I doubt any equalizer will prevent loading one axle with most of the weight traveling on forest service roads. And then venturing off to find a secluded camp spot. Does this sound like a good plan? Suggestions? Thanks! Just read this. We've traveled somewhere between 600 and 800 miles on FSR this year. The trailer has IS. On 1 road we bent 1/4" plates supporting the airbags on the truck. No damage to the trailer. I'm wondering if 4k suspension has enough travel. Edited September 3, 2019 by ALLOY Quote 2011 Cameo 34SB3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronbo Posted September 3, 2019 Report Share Posted September 3, 2019 I would go with torsion suspension. Then each wheel is independent. You can get an axle or independent ends. https://www.southwestwheel.com/c-26-torsion-axles.aspx Quote Ron C. 2013 Dynamax Trilogy 3850 D3 2000 Kenworth T2000 Optimus Prime Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
noteven Posted September 3, 2019 Report Share Posted September 3, 2019 A walking beam works nice to prevent all the weight of both wheels ending up on one wheel through a ditch and it keeps weight 50/50 whether the trailer is level or not. The smoothest trailer I’ve towed with the little KW in the last couple years was a rented 36 foot beaver tail flatbed. It had tandem dual wheel axles on a 84” walking beam spread with no suspension besides correctly inflated tires. I’m thinking on how a guy could do this on a small enclosed sometimes off highway garage trailer vs single axle pothole pogo stick or bounce-a-matic spring or rubber ride... I have a 8’6” wide enclosed that is too big for my needs now and low to the road. I took the opportunity to check the wheel bearings at one wash I was crossing seeing as I was skidding the ass end of the trailer on the slick rock and all 4 wheels had daylight under them momentarily... Quote "Are we there yet?" asked no motorcycle rider, ever. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
noteven Posted September 3, 2019 Report Share Posted September 3, 2019 Idea #2: I have a light little 22’ flatbed made out of an old travel trailer chassis. It has slipper springs and about a 12” equalizer with greaseable shackles and bolts. It rides smooth too. Fancy off road trailers have independent trailing arm axleless suspensions with coil springs. (See Turtleback Trailers Phoenix) Quote "Are we there yet?" asked no motorcycle rider, ever. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rebar Posted September 5, 2019 Author Report Share Posted September 5, 2019 On 9/3/2019 at 11:45 AM, noteven said: A walking beam works nice to prevent all the weight of both wheels ending up on one wheel through a ditch and it keeps weight 50/50 whether the trailer is level or not. The smoothest trailer I’ve towed with the little KW in the last couple years was a rented 36 foot beaver tail flatbed. It had tandem dual wheel axles on a 84” walking beam spread with no suspension besides correctly inflated tires. I’m thinking on how a guy could do this on a small enclosed sometimes off highway garage trailer vs single axle pothole pogo stick or bounce-a-matic spring or rubber ride. Walking beam would be great, but since there arent any available, leaf also has built in anti roll bar characteristics, unlike torsion or IS. Quote 1997 Ram ctd 4x4 5 speed 3.54 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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