Torsion axles vs. Leaf spring?

[talltigeguy]

So I was in Wasatch Marine the other day, and looked at the trailers they put under their boats. They use Metalcraft and the trailers looked very stout. They are made locally, so that sure is nice for warranty issues. If they give you any grief, you can walk down the street and get irritated face to face. They had the chrome fenders and all the bling on the rims and tires, LED lights and looked awesome.

I noticed that the trailers have leaf springs instead of torsion axles like my Extreme trailer had. Torsion axles get all of the hype, but they tried to sell me on the idea that traditional leaf springs are actually more stable. I know they are for sure easier to work on if you have a catastrophe, and easier to limp home on if you have a flat and no spare (just take off the wheel and strap the axle up).

What is better according to you guys?

[G-MONEY]

Torsion axles 100%. We noticed a huge diffrence when we dropped off our old boat with leaf springs and picked up our tige with the Torsion Axles.

[Timmy!]

Torsion rides so much better IMO.

[mneal]

Torsion all the way. No corrosion issues , better ride, less moving parts. You can still run with three and you do not have to strap the axle up.

[Original Wing Nut]

I have a Metalcraft trailer under my Tigé. It rides great. I don't have the hard bounce going over the railroad tracks by my place that I do with other trailers I have, that have torsion axles. I have 5 different trailers two with leaf springs they take the big bumps better and the torsions take the small stuff smoother. I ordered my boat from the other/old dealer in the area minus the trailer and went to metalcraft and ordered mine with a few extra goodies, now standard on most as they were LEDs, boat buckles, skid wheels and a couple other things I don't remember now. They were great to work with. The only thing I would do different is I have drums on both axles and would go to discs next time. Year two I forgot to unhook the little safety cable and drove out from under the trailer. I stopped in and the tech gave me a new cable and explained the process of replacing it and it was easy enough with his explanation. I would buy a trailer from them again today if I were in your shoes.

Just my

[SPBFAN]

I have the Metal Craft trailer and love it. I have had not one problem. G-Money the boat you were pulling on leaf springs before was also much lighter than the TIGE so that really is not a good comparison. My boat and trailer have now been back and forth from Utah to CA. three times and it drives very nice. You also do not need to strap up the Axel if you get that kind of problem. The other thing nice about the Metal Craft trailer is it sits a little higher than all you boys with Extreme trailers and I can drive my of a curb and not hit my prop guard like the Extreme trailers do. My 2 cents.

[chpthril]

My Dorsey has leaf's and it handles great, no excessive bounce, no hard hits. Working at the dealership, I've had the opportunity to tow a variety of boats (weight & length) on both types of trailers, this includes Tige and CC. To be honest, I really cant tell much of a difference between my leaf setup and the torsion axle Boat Mates under all the new boats.

Sounds like the trailer manf. is a solid group making a great product and will be there to stand behind it if something needs attention, I would not let leafs or torsion be a deal breaker

[Fast1911]

My Dorsey has leaf's and it handles great, no excessive bounce, no hard hits. Working at the dealership, I've had the opportunity to tow a variety of boats (weight & length) on both types of trailers, this includes Tige and CC. To be honest, I really cant tell much of a difference between my leaf setup and the torsion axle Boat Mates under all the new boats.

Sounds like the trailer manf. is a solid group making a great product and will be there to stand behind it if something needs attention, I would not let leafs or torsion be a deal breaker

Even though my boat is older I also have a Dorsey with leaf springs and it has always handled great. It's been towed mostly around town but it has taken trips to north Florida before approx. 400 miles and it rode great. Never driven a trailer with torsion axles, my 16' flat bed trailer also has leaf springs along with my 1980 old stars and stripes.

[dogbert]

I have leaf springs on my trailer and it's over 9 years old. It pulls just fine.

[eks]

I have that trailer on my 07 and I never had any problems with it.

[teachercop]

Tall,,,

Perhaps you already did this, I would ask the trailer manufacturer why they elect to use leafs as oppose to torsion.

I have an Extreme. It initially came with a 'mono-leaf' a single leaf spring. It was a change for them after they had previously been offering torsion spring trailers. I was told they switched to the mono-leaf as the torsion's were squeaking. I liked the mono-leaf, I am not sure that particular suspension is even offered currently by any of the trailer manufacturer's. Unfortunately, I experienced troubles, the axle were mis-aligned, actually discovered returning from a Tige Reunion, father-in-law eye balled it.

They corrected the allignment, however they inadvertantly arced the leaf, this would fail me 500 miles from home, when the single leaf fractured.

This story already is long and it is only the begnning.

I would quiz them, having been through a couple trailer issues, and lots of tires... I did like the look and ride of those mono-leafs,,,,I now have 3 leafs..

[talltigeguy]

Tall,,,

Perhaps you already did this, I would ask the trailer manufacturer why they elect to use leafs as oppose to torsion.

I have an Extreme. It initially came with a 'mono-leaf' a single leaf spring. It was a change for them after they had previously been offering torsion spring trailers. I was told they switched to the mono-leaf as the torsion's were squeaking. I liked the mono-leaf, I am not sure that particular suspension is even offered currently by any of the trailer manufacturer's. Unfortunately, I experienced troubles, the axle were mis-aligned, actually discovered returning from a Tige Reunion, father-in-law eye balled it.

They corrected the allignment, however they inadvertantly arced the leaf, this would fail me 500 miles from home, when the single leaf fractured.

This story already is long and it is only the begnning.

I would quiz them, having been through a couple trailer issues, and lots of tires... I did like the look and ride of those mono-leafs,,,,I now have 3 leafs..

They have several leafs for each axle, FWIW. Good idea to let the Metalcraft people explain it themselves. I ought to give them a call.

[SPBFAN]

They have several leafs for each axle, FWIW. Good idea to let the Metalcraft people explain it themselves. I ought to give them a call.

Here is the link http://www.metalcrafttrailers.com/. You will not be disappointed with the trailer Tall. I really like my trailer and have has ZERO issues to date so far. That does not mean I never will but the new trailers they are putting under those TIGE' Boats look great and for sure enhance the boats appearance. This RZ2 should be at Wasatch by now with the Metal Craft Trailer.

[chadster2]

my torsion set up is squeaking bad when I turn. I've had it worked
on and still makes ugly sounds. I'm thinking I'll just let it break and then
I'll know what was bad. (2 shops 5 trips, I give)
It had a small bur, (because the oil leaked out... 1st shop 1st trip),
everything but the spindle was replaced.........

Tall,,,

Perhaps you already did this, I would ask the trailer manufacturer why they elect to use leafs as oppose to torsion.

I have an Extreme. It initially came with a 'mono-leaf' a single leaf spring. It was a change for them after they had previously been offering torsion spring trailers. I was told they switched to the mono-leaf as the torsion's were squeaking. I liked the mono-leaf, I am not sure that particular suspension is even offered currently by any of the trailer manufacturer's. Unfortunately, I experienced troubles, the axle were mis-aligned, actually discovered returning from a Tige Reunion, father-in-law eye balled it.

They corrected the allignment, however they inadvertantly arced the leaf, this would fail me 500 miles from home, when the single leaf fractured.

This story already is long and it is only the begnning.

I would quiz them, having been through a couple trailer issues, and lots of tires... I did like the look and ride of those mono-leafs,,,,I now have 3 leafs..