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I am looking at building a new trailer and just wondered if any one here has had any experience with independent suspension on trailers. What is it like? What brand? Coil? Air bag? Leaf spring?

my old mans caravan has independant A frames with leaf springs and shocks. Tows awesome

Have a look around these sites.
I know people that have used Vehicle Componants airbag stuff and very happy. Plus they're in Brissy. http://www.vehiclecomponents.com.au/con ... etails.asp
Alko have some good rubber mounted torsion bar stuff. http://www.alko.com.au/vehicle/axles/irs.html
One of the best is Simplicity which uses leaves. I found it here. http://www.mastertrailerparts.com.au/products.php?id=7

If I had to build a single axle trailer I would go with Alko.

Stuart, I have been looking at the ALKO stuff already. Only thing that is putting me off it is the "beam axle" type set up. I was thinking more along the lines of a wish bone each side with coils and/or air bags.

The vehicle components site has got pretty much what I am thinking of. They are just down the road from here too. Have you heard of any reports on how these suspension systems perform on your type of roads? Are they as reliable as standard suspension?

I am building a new van about the same size as the one I took up there but completely out of alloy and hopefully better suspension.

Here is a side thought to ponder. Shocky wise, is it better to have it in front of the hub so it moves less and therefore won't heat as much or have it behind so it sweeps over a larger arc?

Brett the vehicle components equipment is top shelf stuff!!
I run there AT-35MK2 Hitch on my trailer. I sell there stuff at my work too...

I was thinking about the hitch as well. How many $$$

BYB-01 wrote:Have you heard of any reports on how these suspension systems perform on your type of roads? Are they as reliable as standard suspension?

I only know of bogie trailers. All their owners love them.

Here is a side thought to ponder. Shocky wise, is it better to have it in front of the hub so it moves less and therefore won't heat as much or have it behind so it sweeps over a larger arc?

Put the shock behind the hub. It will be a longer, higher volume shock and will give better control. It will also be protected by the trailing arms. If it overheats it just means its working. Get a bigger shock or more of them.

BYB-01 wrote:I was thinking about the hitch as well. How many $$$

Brett,
They retail around the $420 but I can do you a MUCH better price.....

I'll vote for alko too. The old boy has it on his gooseneck trailer and it sees some pretty rough stuff with some large loads.

If you want a big shock, go a tough dog ralph, but be warned they are expensive. I'd also put shocks behind axles/arms etc. If I still had the old shocks off the ute I'd show you the stone damage that happens when they aren't protected.

Lightning_Silver_RX wrote:go a tough dog ralph

Um...little bit overkill there big boots....only going on a pop-top...

Overkill smoverkill territorian. I just wanna see his face after he find out how big they are.