Walking Beam Suspension Plans – 8K w/ Torsion Axles
Walking Beam Suspension Plans – 8K w/ Torsion Axles
Put a walking beam style tandem axle suspension under your 5000 – 8000 lbs capacity trailer. Plans are engineered for the benefits of torsion rubber axles in a load sharing combination for a better ride.
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Description
Description
Suspension upgrade! Switch to a walking beam style with these suspension plans and improve your trailer ride and load management. These plans are an innovative variation of the walking beam going one step further by combining torsion axles for even better ride quality.
The Walking Beam suspension has been around for a long time and it’s somewhat common on are on big trucks, huge trailers and industrial machinery. Now you can put it on your trailer and reap the benefits. Suspension plans are available in 2 sizes for smaller trailers — these, rated at 5000 to 8000 pounds capacity, and our smaller version rated at 2000 to 4000 pounds capacity.
Suspension Plans Engineered For Smaller Trailers:
Bringing the benefits of the walking beam suspension to smaller trailers is one goal of this design. Though an 8000# trailer may not seem smaller, compared to 60K or 100K, something to pull with a car is “smaller”. The other goal is fitting torsion axles in a true load sharing condition so they function in tandem.
The walking beam is complex in some ways, but we simplified it for these DIY suspension plans. Read about the design. Then, for the engineering details, please read the Case Study for the Twin Torsion Engineering by the Engineer. Finally, to see the walking beam suspension in action, check out this post and video. With lots of miles since then, the benefits are definitely worth it.
Feel free to add this suspension to any of our 6000# or 7000# utility trailers instead of the axle specified. For instance, the 6’x12′ Utility Trailer.
Specifications
Specifications
Walking Beam Suspension Plans – 8K w/ Torsion Axles
- This design is NOT a trailer, just the suspension system for a trailer.
- Walking beam suspension has a pair of matching torsion axles giving a total capacity range from 5000 lbs up to 8000 lbs. Build it to meet your needs. Options are in the suspension plans.
- The design adapts to trailers of most any width. It’s as simple as making the right offset. Formula is in the plans.
- Height option has 2 mounting locations to adjust for trailer size, travel, and ground clearance.
- 5″ axle step height differential — not including torsion arm suspension motion. It’s like 5″ suspension travel, but really it’s 2.5″ up in front and 2.5″ down in back (or vise versa). For a speed bump or pothole, it means the trailer only moves half as much as the bump is high. And really less than that with torsion axle compression action involved in the dynamics.
- The lower mounting hole in suspension plans increases the axle step height differential to 6+ inches.
- Some pieces are best to cut out via laser or waterjet. CAD files for those parts are in the plans download. Just send them to your vendor.
- Suspension plans allow torsion axles with various arm start angle options to give more ground clearance or lower trailer deck height.
- Plans include complete drawings and instructions as well as CAD files for the special parts. Download the whole package in a single .ZIP file.
More About The Design Features
More About The Design Features
Benefits Of Adding Torsion Axles
The walking beam suspension has a lot of road smoothing benefits all by itself. Normally they appear with springs, but for this application, we are going one step further — combining it with the softer ride benefits of torsion axles.
Torsion axles have a good ride, but they don’t load share in tandem very well in normal applications. The walking beam, other the other hand, by definition is a load sharing platform, so this new suspension design combines the benefits of torsion axles with the walking beam. This suspension is the result, and now you can build one with these plans.
The suspension plans are Engineered by Synthesis and beefed up to not only handle the loads, but also to distribute the load appropriately to the trailer frame. The last thing you want is to change your suspension and end up with a frame problem. This mounting beam covers that, and this suspension will definitely smooth out the ride. Build yours and change the way your trailer tows.
Construction Requires Metal Cutting, Drilling, Welding, Precision Setup and Some Outsourced CNC Cut Parts.
Videos to assist with the setup and alignment are here to watch as well.
Maximize Your Project
Plans from Mechanical Elements are an awesome start to a great project. Here are even more resources!
First: For more info, please read: What's In The Plans? and What Makes Our Trailer Plans Better?
Second: Purchase plans with the "Add to Cart" button, then right after payment, a digital copy is ready to save to your computer. Please see this article for answers about getting the plans.
Third: We have many articles to help with trailer building. Just type a question in the Show Me bar (top of this page), then press "GO". Or, for simple browsing, visit Articles from the Mechanic.
Reminder:
Trailer building requires metal working skill and tools for things like cutting, drilling, and accurate set-up, as well as welding skill. Strength, durability, and enjoyment depend on building the trailer well. Build it well, then Enjoy the Finished Project !!
Notes for Success
* Trailer load capacity depends on all the parts and materials, as well as the craftsmanship in building. All Mechanical Elements trailers are engineered to perform as stated when built as defined with proper care in construction – including parts, material, construction techniques, weld integrity, assembly methods, and finishing. Capacity for this trailer also requires proper choices for parts such as the hitch, axle(s), wheels, tires, safety chain, decking, bolts, pins, etc. Please make sure component load capacities match or exceed the trailer total capacity. Do not exceed manufacturers limits.
For trouble-free trailer life, think care and safety. Please select fastening methods to handle how and where the trailer will operate – including vibration, proper fastener types, bolt grades, torques, and nut types (like lock nuts). Then, be smart about loading the trailer, load distribution, tire pressure, tire condition and the mechanics of towing. We want you safe to enjoy your trailer for a long time ahead. Always use proper safety and securing equipment when loading and towing a trailer.
Thank You — The Mechanical Elements Team
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