Easy riding trailer suspension?

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What is the smoothest trailer suspension?   I am interested in a trailer to use for transporting my goats to shows.  Weight will be about 2000 -3000 pound of animal load plus a dressing/overnight area which could add some wieght of course.   I'm hoping to stay inside the 7,000 # class trailers. (tandem 2x 3500# axles).One of the big factors, since we will have to haul long distances will be smooth ride for the goats so they aren't worn out before we even get there.   Air ride I suppose if it is available or Torsion bar?  I vision something like an Al  gooseneck horse trailer with a small dressing/changing/bath area up front.  It has to have a john and a bunk of sorts, cooking no.   Size might be about the same as a 3 horse trailer.  I figure to buy the main chassis and then modify the interior to meet my needs. The puller would be a 3/4 ton truck set up for towing. probably  a  Dodge with the Cummins.So I'm  looking for good ideas here,  many of you guys haul a lot more than I do.Lincoln Power MIG 215Lincoln WeldPak 3200HDLincon ProCut 25Lincoln WeldanPower 225 AC/DCIf all else fails... buy more tools
Reply:The smoothest ride involves springs which are being stretched ( elongated ) instead of compressed...Just floats along...Weldandpower Lincoln 225 AC,DC with Briggs 16hp gas engine.WW2 era Miller TIG.
Reply:The rubber torsion axles would probably be the best bet. Kind of like an independent suspension, most of the horse peoples trailers are using them.
Reply:earlier this last summer i had to replace two axles on a pipe trailer, i went with the torflex axles from Redneck Trailer Supply, come to find out the torflexs were $20 more per axle, not bad in my opinion. and you never have to rebush spring axles or replace hangers.Well worth the investment.BTW iv got torflex axles on my 24ft gooseneck i built back in high school 11 years ago with no problems thus far. upon reading a little more the dexter brand that i bought last summer come a 100,000 mile warranty. if it was me i wouldnt even bother with spring axles anymore. just my .02  kwMM 251MM 135Lincoln Pro cut 55Bobcat 250Miller Thunderbolt ac/dcolder ac forneyJackson nexgen 3n13-Smith OP setups97 Dodge dieselMakita chopsawJet swivel head bandsawlincoln tig 300/30030a spoolgunpuma port. gas air comp.
Reply:That sounds good, It confirms what I had as a hunch. I'll go research that axle brand and you are right initial cost is not as important as a long low maintenance soft ride.  I'm not going to build the trailer itself just do the interior and superstructure mostly so I get what I want.    Brands I like are Sooner and Exiss... I think I'll go see what axles  those use.Lincoln Power MIG 215Lincoln WeldPak 3200HDLincon ProCut 25Lincoln WeldanPower 225 AC/DCIf all else fails... buy more tools
Reply:A quick question since I haven't had much to do with torsion axles...Since the two axles aren't joined together in any way, won't one axle carry more weight than the other? I watched a neighbour moving his 16 foot tandem with torsion axles and at one point, one axle was off the ground due to uneven ground conditions! Could that present a problem if you get pulled in at a weigh scale? (All the weight on one axle.) Or the uneven loading causing an axle to fail prematurely?Andrew
Reply:Originally Posted by Andrew_DA quick question since I haven't had much to do with torsion axles...Since the two axles aren't joined together in any way, won't one axle carry more weight than the other? I watched a neighbour moving his 16 foot tandem with torsion axles and at one point, one axle was off the ground due to uneven ground conditions! Could that present a problem if you get pulled in at a weigh scale? (All the weight on one axle.) Or the uneven loading causing an axle to fail prematurely?Andrew
Reply:The best trailer for moving animals that we have found is a gooseneck tandem axle with torsion axles.  Our trailer is a Four Star with slant loading stalls for horses.  You will probably need different gates for smaller animals, but Four star will make anything you want. Best, Ralph
Reply:My old Featherlight (06) came with torsion axels. I dissed the idea of checking lug torque on its maiden voyage with my race car strapped in. Wifey was following behind me and radioed that a beer can flew out from under the trailer. I dissed that too. As we changed highways she radioed that her car (she competes on street rubber) was making a funny noise. I stopped and checked, nothing. We continued and as we got off the highway she heard the noise again. I looked back in my drivers side mirror and saw one of the trailer wheels at a weird angle. I was not a beer can that flew out, it was the bright hub cap! Lugs on one axel had loosened enough to make the wheel holes bigger than the 3 nuts that were left. BUMMER!.I was able to raise the trailer with a ramp and removed the wheel without removing the remaining nuts, and they were hot as could be. A big blast of nitrogen and the remaining tire was now looking OK. Went to the event and was having thoughts of driving home on three tires. Car weight and axel and each wheel cap math was not working out, until I put the tongue weight into the equation. All seemed OK and I filled the single tire to max pressure and checked a few times on the 90 min ride home. No problems. Torsion axels worked out fine, trailer rode flat.
Reply:Dang,And I thought "horse owners" were bad.Amazing the extremes some will go to "sleep with the goats".My brother in law raises goats on his farm, and I can tell you straightaway, that I have no desire to sleep anywhere near the "goat pen".  (And I've slept in some pretty miserable places)Syncro 250 DX Dynasty 200 DXMM 251 w/30A SG XMT 304 w/714 Feeder & Optima PulserHH187Dialarc 250 AC/DCHypertherm PM 1250Smith, Harris, Victor O/ASmith and Thermco Gas MixersAccess to a full fab shop with CNC Plasma, Water Jet, etc.
Reply:Torsion axles all the way.   I wouldn't own another spring ride trailer.    Air would be better but torsion would work fine for what you want.   Personally i would ditch the idea of building your own trailer, i cant even buy the materials for what i can buy a turn key trailer for.     As far as aluminum horse trailers go the Cadillac is bloomer hands down, the second runner up is elite.Vantage 500's LN-25's, VI-400's, cobramatics, Miller migs, synch 350 LX, Powcon inverters, XMT's, 250 Ton Acurrpress 12' brake, 1/4" 10' Atlantic shear,Koikie plasma table W/ esab plasmas. marvel & hyd-mech saws, pirrana & metal muncher punches.
Reply:It's like shopping for a new truck... we are looking at as many as we can find.  I'll probably get one about 3-4 years old to save some $.   With the rough economy there are many around for sale.   I'm thinking a 3 horse will do it and mods toi the stock l interior would be simple,  they like to ride together but support and a bit of seperation is nice.   The people area  needs a good john and warm comfy sleeping ... cooking ... not much that's why they have Cracker Barrels right? Smell?  goats smell? never noticed  Yes, the bucks, especially near rut  do smell pretty rank, but a freshly washed doe is fine.  We brought home our new buck "Troublemaker"  last nite, 6 hour ride for him... in the bed of my Tacoma with a simple wire  cage kinda thing I have.  Works fine for 1-2 goats.   Pics of this fella to follow maybe today as I get to know him. Brands ? Bloomer? Don't know that one.  I know Sooner is nice out of Ok,  and Exiss I like  I've heard of Elite but not had a chance to look up close.   I am learning which ones have torsion bar axles. That is good advice I'm sure. thanks muchLincoln Power MIG 215Lincoln WeldPak 3200HDLincon ProCut 25Lincoln WeldanPower 225 AC/DCIf all else fails... buy more tools
Reply:I thought for sure that in this bunch of WELDERS/ BUILDERS / Metal Fabricators...... that someone would suggest making the suspension with the elongating springs... I am SO Disappointed.......Weldandpower Lincoln 225 AC,DC with Briggs 16hp gas engine.WW2 era Miller TIG.
Reply:Most all aluminum trailers will have torsion axles.     My main problem with sooner and exiss is the fact they use herh windows and doors.  There made very cheep and are nothing but trouble.    The higher end trailers will use fabricated doors and windows.     heres a link to bloomer. http://www.bloomertrailers.com/My good friend just bought a 6 horse bloomer and i tried to climb all over it and pick it apart and i cant find a single fault with the way its built.   And if anything im a hell of a criticVantage 500's LN-25's, VI-400's, cobramatics, Miller migs, synch 350 LX, Powcon inverters, XMT's, 250 Ton Acurrpress 12' brake, 1/4" 10' Atlantic shear,Koikie plasma table W/ esab plasmas. marvel & hyd-mech saws, pirrana & metal muncher punches.
Reply:STI for air ride. I have them on my horse trailer and it rides nice. http://www.ridetheair.com/HH 187Miller Bluestar1EAHP AlphaTig 200X
Reply:2 cents from somone who has never owned a trailer or a goat.What about converting a used Airstream ? You get the torsin bar suspenstion. Aluminum Skin, Light weight, and the bunk space and changing room.I offer three choices: Good, Fast, & Cheap. You may pick two.Hobart AC/DC StikMate LXHarbor Freight AD HoodHarbor Freight Industrial Chop SawDeVilbis 20 Gallon, 5 HP Compressor
Reply:http://www.keldermanairride.com  Is the other trailer air ride companyVantage 500's LN-25's, VI-400's, cobramatics, Miller migs, synch 350 LX, Powcon inverters, XMT's, 250 Ton Acurrpress 12' brake, 1/4" 10' Atlantic shear,Koikie plasma table W/ esab plasmas. marvel & hyd-mech saws, pirrana & metal muncher punches.
Reply:THEY'RE GOATS FOR GOD'S SAKEGet a decent spring suspension trailer, and watch how you drive.  Sudden stops, sudden starts, and too much un-needed sway is the problem with most animal transport.  Pack them close, and watch your driving.  Be gentle.  All you have to do is keep them on their feet.  (Or little hoofies in your case)"Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:You'd think.  But they like to bed down packed like sardines all pointed in the same direction like puppies in the cold.   It is amazing how many my friend crams in  her big trailer... like 28 at a time all one big space.  Old carpet works for flooring or I figure to go with the rubber mats like the horse folks use.    I do not live in the hot bed for showing... distances to shows could easily be 1000 miles + in each direction.  Don't ask if this is economically sound, it isn't.  But to get points, which increases the herd value,  ya' gotta go show.  So I figure if they  arrive worn out...that  won't do.Hadn't heard from ya in awhile... snow got your tongue?   Hoping your stock is aok.Lincoln Power MIG 215Lincoln WeldPak 3200HDLincon ProCut 25Lincoln WeldanPower 225 AC/DCIf all else fails... buy more tools
Reply:I thought about a toybox kinda thing... airstream converted similar idea.  The dedicated horse trailers look much more stable on the road when we follow them.  Bloomer= $$$$$$$   3 horse slant with sleeping sheesh. I paid less than that for my first house.  But gee they are first rate huh?  Well I'm a learner.  I had not noticed problems with windows on the Exiss I was allowed to check out. They had owned it a long time and still liked it a lot which I thought was a good recommendation.  No hurry, This is my 3rd year and I've cleaned out some and sorted down to the best 5 real nice does.   3 of those does are bred to champs now  and due for  kidding  after Easter and then more in July.  No use breeding the mediocre ones, eat them or sell them. So showing/traveling is still a ways off.  Good, more time to save up more nickels... many more nickelsLincoln Power MIG 215Lincoln WeldPak 3200HDLincon ProCut 25Lincoln WeldanPower 225 AC/DCIf all else fails... buy more tools
Reply:The key to having a smooth riding trailer is having it sprung properly for the load placed on the axle.  Leaf springs may be a better idea for you because you can always remove a leaf to soften things up.  I don't know enough about air springs, but if you can drop pressure in them, then that would effectively reduce the spring rate as well.  Torsen axles are a fixed spring rate so the only way to really soften the ride is to add weight to the trailer.Rene
Reply:Bloomers are the Cadillacs of horse trailers.   But theres a reason the Cadillac was more expensive than a Chevrolet.  I agree with you 100% about your observations on how horse trailers pull.    i towed our friends 3 axle MONSTER toy hauler that actually weighs 4K less than our loaded 6 horse and honestly it towed like a beast.  Not a fun experience at all compared to our 6 horse gooseneck.we have had a couple of six horses over the years a sooner, a featherlite, an elite and bloomer.   heres the current rigA "custom" 5 horse bumper pull behind my pickup.  Normally this thing rides behind a prevost bus conversion but even after a million bucks its about as reliable as a yugo.Personally i think you would be best served by looking for a nice used 3 horse living quarters trailer.   The rubber mats work the best in the back with som shavings thrown down.Vantage 500's LN-25's, VI-400's, cobramatics, Miller migs, synch 350 LX, Powcon inverters, XMT's, 250 Ton Acurrpress 12' brake, 1/4" 10' Atlantic shear,Koikie plasma table W/ esab plasmas. marvel & hyd-mech saws, pirrana & metal muncher punches.
Reply:Exactly what I'm learning Dualie. I appreciate your experience.   So I'm going to start looking closely and learning what to watch for in wear quality, floors etc. I've got time so I'll look till the right one pops up.   A lightly used 3 horse with a place to sleep seems about right.   Lots of people get into horses and then find it isn't for them.. I think the trailers are around and for sale. That larger rig of yours is about the keenest thing huh?  Betcha that is fun.   Bumper pulls?  My experiences with 2 horse bumper pull trailers is short runs,  I've not gone very far. 100 miles or so.  Jerky ride as I recall. Gooseneck seems the better way.Last edited by PapaLion; 02-17-2011 at 09:35 AM.Lincoln Power MIG 215Lincoln WeldPak 3200HDLincon ProCut 25Lincoln WeldanPower 225 AC/DCIf all else fails... buy more tools
Reply:How about posting some pictures of these GOATS that are worth taking across the country... and back I assume... ?Weldandpower Lincoln 225 AC,DC with Briggs 16hp gas engine.WW2 era Miller TIG.
Reply:Why not a gooseneck with sprung tandems and shocks? Work the math out to get the spring rates just right and you should be good.http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=50492http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=40502There's a couple.  I'm not sure  "worth" is  the focus for me.  They cost a lot but I'm not sure, beyond a good roast, they are worth much.  Anytime you get into an animal that is shown you get this hyped up price thing going because people want to buy a winner. .I really enjoy the breeding process, choosing breedings  and herdsmanship. I have  raised and kept only 3 does so far out of about 25 I've raised.  I own two I purchased.. I'm looking to  show the ones I raise, and since the Buck is a special case (only one on the place so far) he'll get shown some with points going to the breeder also.  I prefer to show what I raise.Herd improvement can also work with Artificial insemination, AI,  is a way to go and also there is a complex fertilized egg transfer process  that some use to get more kids from a good doe.  I've got mixed feelings on that as it is hard on the doe and requires some surgery.  AI is aok by me, i've had many a Holstein smile back at me from her stantion and beller  MOOooooPeople do crazier things. I know a friend who has these metal sticks in a  big bag and every Saturday morning he takes a small white ball and those sticks and wanders around this big green pasture.  He pays good money to be allowed to use that pasture, Heck he could use mine for free, if he don't mind a li'l goat droppings here and there.Last edited by PapaLion; 02-17-2011 at 07:55 PM.Lincoln Power MIG 215Lincoln WeldPak 3200HDLincon ProCut 25Lincoln WeldanPower 225 AC/DCIf all else fails... buy more tools
Reply:COWPASTURE POOL could call it      Goatpasture Poolidealarc 250/250 ac-dc tigidealarc 250/250 ac-dc tig #2 used for sticklincoln sp100hh125dual arbor grinder polisher30 yrs of hand tools52 pitch blocks 6p-26prake gauge -pitch gaugeG&D prop repair 918-207-6938Hulbert,okla 74441
Reply:well i will say that the pete makes pulling the trailer a non event.    I have a CDL and used to run lowbeds so the big truck thing kind of lost its thrill but the little pete really hauls the mail.  Its got a 330hp Cummins and an Allison 6spd auto, exhaust brake, air ride seats, cab and suspension, air brakes all the bells and whistles.   The bloomer had electric over hyd disks on it and stops really well behind a pickup, but behind the 330 you don't even know its there.That bumper pull trailer is a MONSTER, and pulls like a dead tank.    I would higly recommend not ever considering one that size.  EVER.Vantage 500's LN-25's, VI-400's, cobramatics, Miller migs, synch 350 LX, Powcon inverters, XMT's, 250 Ton Acurrpress 12' brake, 1/4" 10' Atlantic shear,Koikie plasma table W/ esab plasmas. marvel & hyd-mech saws, pirrana & metal muncher punches.
Reply:as far as shopping used trailers, windows and doors are the first things your going to want to look at.   obvious signs of water getting by the seals around the drop downs and doors are in an instant reject.next is in the living quarters, look at the small details like the trim, lights and little hardware.     Thats the first thing that gets beat to snot riding down the road and the first sign of impending doom and the interior falling apart.   These things were not built by Amish craftsmen, they look pretty on the surface but are damn scary under the skin.Vantage 500's LN-25's, VI-400's, cobramatics, Miller migs, synch 350 LX, Powcon inverters, XMT's, 250 Ton Acurrpress 12' brake, 1/4" 10' Atlantic shear,Koikie plasma table W/ esab plasmas. marvel & hyd-mech saws, pirrana & metal muncher punches.
Reply:Some, not many, but some of the snowbirds are lucky enough to get a Pete like that and they haul triple axle  5th wheels as "big as a house"  I see them regularly because they come here to play. I only see maybe 10% of the travel trailers which are bumper pulls. 28-30 foot 5ths behind a Ford 350 diesel  are popular.  We have a lot of horse folks too so Ii'll  go see every trailer that comes up in ther paper or CL for awhile and  start looking at details.   I think someday I'll add a small sign near the gate offering pasture pool, that'd be aok.        Pasture Pool             $10 /hrGreens mowed by real Boers.Last edited by PapaLion; 02-18-2011 at 07:43 AM.Lincoln Power MIG 215Lincoln WeldPak 3200HDLincon ProCut 25Lincoln WeldanPower 225 AC/DCIf all else fails... buy more tools
Reply:another thing i forgot is with the LQ trailers with shower, toilets and sinks the water systems are another thing to look at.  If the trailer hasn't been winterized and then been through a freeze cycle then it could be a major PITA.   Every LQ trailer i seen has been plumed with PEX tubing.Vantage 500's LN-25's, VI-400's, cobramatics, Miller migs, synch 350 LX, Powcon inverters, XMT's, 250 Ton Acurrpress 12' brake, 1/4" 10' Atlantic shear,Koikie plasma table W/ esab plasmas. marvel & hyd-mech saws, pirrana & metal muncher punches.
Reply:They make air bag systems for trailers now.  I think Dexter and some of the other popular mfg's make them.  I'd like to build a trailer with that type of set up.---No good deed goes unpunished---