Torsion conversions
- Thread starter Mopower
- Start date
After the axles were in , I replaced the crossmembers right next the the axles and rebolted them to the bunks(the next time out after I launched the boat). It was a whole lot easier drilling the bunks and inserting 5 inch bolts for the top without the boat on it.
The rest of the season went great and it now rides like and entirely different trailer. No more squeeks and creaks and groans like most leaf spring trailers. These also came with 12" discs and opposed to my old 10" discs...stops better too.
The rest of the season went great and it now rides like and entirely different trailer. No more squeeks and creaks and groans like most leaf spring trailers. These also came with 12" discs and opposed to my old 10" discs...stops better too.
![DSC00667[1].JPG](/VBFORUM/data/attachments/0/103-44ac2f109afad958ace8d55b9f368b95.jpg)
Corndude said:
I tried a few places locally but it seems there is a lot of variations in trailer frame width. What I wound up doing is getting them thru my trailer manufacturer (Magictilt in Fla.). Only trouble is Magictilt will NOT sell to an individual. You Must go thru a dealer. My closest dealer was a 2 1/2 hour drive away. Shipping from Fla. to MD was another $300
which I thought was high till I got the axles. They loaded them in the back of my truck with a forklift and I removed them with a cherry picker. They had to be twice the weight of the leaf spring axles. Overall I am very pleased with the ride and the quiet. As for the total expense... I probably could have repaired mine one more time ,remove the power winch and power jack , sold it and bought a new one for the same or just a little more. Oh well , live and learn :It seems like I step over a dollar to pick up a dime a lot my self. The mfg. of my trailer is out of buisness so I suppose I could get the right width and put heavy axlex under it the tortion would be nise. When I am going down the road and hit big bumps in the road it seem like the trailer bottoms out. It has hauled the boat From MN. to Fla to IL. with no promblem but I would feel better with 8 bolt wheels like on a 3/4 tn. truck. Just the farmer in me I guess, but I really don't like sitting along side the road waiting for helpl. I'll do some investgating and see what I can come up with. Thanks for the help
Corn,
You could measure your frame width and then check manufacturers width , even if it's walking around the parking lot at your local ramp with a tape measure. Mines is a 1993 but I was lucky in that Magictilt still made my model and it was available either way. In my case it was a stupid easy job. I like easy jobs and I certainly know I'm......... ;D
You could measure your frame width and then check manufacturers width , even if it's walking around the parking lot at your local ramp with a tape measure. Mines is a 1993 but I was lucky in that Magictilt still made my model and it was available either way. In my case it was a stupid easy job. I like easy jobs and I certainly know I'm......... ;D
I may have to look at the winter storage lot and a local marina. I think it all standard width, if I measure the one on there now and ask around maybe I can get heaver, It would also help the flexing of the axles, problem an allusion but seem knock kneed a little. I could also add brakes to the rear axle at the same time. I don't think the job would take to long in the farm shop, not what you see in the magazines. Just a shed with concrete, but with jacks etc to get the job done also plenty of man power. I have several jobs before spring. Waterpumps, I have printed the easy way that was posted. Next the trim switch in the throttle, I want one to work both trim and one to work the tabs, other than being short on power that would keep me going for another season. The next BIG one is repowering I will start looking for motors sometime next year to tweak a little, I don't want to get crazy just cruise at 50 and that be the most Eco. to run. Lots of plans and so little money, also when the motor thing happend the box comes off the back, I figure thats 3 or 4 mph. I saw your motors and if I could get 425 I think I could be close to where I want to be. See Ya PS does anyone know how to shrink a picture from 307 mgpx to the format so post here????????
Anger Management
New member
MOPOWER,
Thanks for sharing your trailer experience with the rest of use. I have the same set-up on my trailer and I love it...my trailer is not as pretty as your though
Pepe
Thanks for sharing your trailer experience with the rest of use. I have the same set-up on my trailer and I love it...my trailer is not as pretty as your though
Pepe
CornDude: Just measure your trailer and current axle, and go to your local trailer parts house. There are only a few axle manufacturers, and the trailer companies buy from them. Dexter is one brand that comes to mind.
I just went to Google local (very useful site BTW) and found your town, and then searched for trailer parts, and several came up in Peoria, but the one in Normal I'm most familiar with, and would suggest.
Redneck Trailer Supplies
109 Merle LN, Normal, IL
(309) 862-1000
Finally, torsion axles are nice, but demanding. They don't self-level like springs, so you have to make sure your trailer is level on the ball, which you should do anyway.
I just went to Google local (very useful site BTW) and found your town, and then searched for trailer parts, and several came up in Peoria, but the one in Normal I'm most familiar with, and would suggest.
Redneck Trailer Supplies
109 Merle LN, Normal, IL
(309) 862-1000
Finally, torsion axles are nice, but demanding. They don't self-level like springs, so you have to make sure your trailer is level on the ball, which you should do anyway.
Thanks for the tip, a friend of mine memtioned Dexter. I need to also get an off set as the biger tires and rims will raise the boat and I need it to be low as possable to help launching in low river conditions. You must be from the area if you know Bloomington area. I am hoping to get about a 4" off set.
Contacted Redneck in Bloom, IL they were very helpful, now deciding on torsion or spring. I will probley go spring. I will have anouther leaf put in the current springs and I think I will have to put a lift kit in to gain anouther 2" or so , as I will be going from 14" wheels to 15" and I havn't decided on 6 or 8 bolt wheels. I will have to adjust hieght enough to clean these in the fenders. The cost of the spring convertion will be a lot less. Now any suggestion on how to get a boat off the trailer for a week while I do this as I also want to work on the bunks a little, maybe just wait untill Mar or so after winter is all over? I have access to loaders etc to lift with. Thanks for the help,, Any one interested in doing this for me FREE ???
Well I ordered the axles today, going spring and also trying something new for a boat trailer at least for me, Electric brakes, as the truck is already set up and they claim that they are being used for this purpose with no problems. It is cheaper and will make backing easier as well as driving in the hills. It will make the trailer a 10200# trailer when I put in another spring on each set. The torsion worried me a little, as if the trailer torsion is to heavy it will bounce a lot they require a little preload for lack of a better definition. Now I can be a nerves wreck till I get them installed. Thanks for all the help.