Just doing the research right now.

Local shop can get me pretty much everything I need to have my buddy and I build my car hauler. Options on the axles are 2000, 3500 , 6000 and 7000 assemblies in beam only, electric brakes and hydraulic brakes as well straight axle and drop ends.

The blueprints call for dual 5200 lb axles on an 18' beavertail, 5" channel.

My thoughts now call for either the beavertail or ditch that and go 18' deck straight on dual 6000 lb electric brakes all around axles. But not sure on the drop end option. Should come in at around 2300 lbs.

So I would like to hear your thoughts on the straight axle vs. Drop ends that would allow me more clearance under the trailer.

Rig that would be the intended use, is a 72 Early Bronco on 38s so I figure 4500 lbs.:grinpimp:

Thanks in advance.

I think you are talking about torsion axles vs. leaf sprung. Kind of a personal preference. I think leaf springs will last longer, especially if it stays loaded a lot. I think torsion axles ride better. Dual 6,000 lb axles is way more than enough for hauling a rig, and you would have a tough time hauling 12,000 on a tag trailer I would think.

You are correct in assuming I will have a tough time pullin 12000 lbs. But with my choices of axles at said place I rather bump up to dual 6000 axles than downgrade the trailer specs to 4" channel on dual 3500 axles as EB still does have plans to end up even bigger one day.

As for the torsion vs leaf springs, nope they are all leaf sprung axles just the drop ones have like a gearless portal end, kinda looks like a I beam in a twisted form. Maybe if I can get over there I will snap a quick pic of the 3500one they have on the floor.

I have tandem 6k axles, spring under, with 4" drop on my trailer. With 245/75/16 tires, my deck is only 20" from the ground. I don't have a beavertail because i wouldn't be able to back into my driveway because it would be too low. It's the prefect height as it is.

It all depends on where you go with your trailer and what the departure angles on the trailer are as well as the mounting design of the spring mounts on the frame rails.


there was a thread around the end of last year beginning of this year where rotozuk built his own trailer w/ drop axles iirc and also ran lowered holes for the tires to ride in.

For a trailer that will see dirt roads I would say straight axles. I mean lets face it, if you are hauling your rig to a trail, the chance of pulling it down a dirt road or even a rough paved road is very high. So the chance of hitting a pot hole or rock is very high. So with that in mind, I suggest the straight axle. The advantage to the drop axle is getting the deck closer to the ground. Will that is good for some, but bad for others. If you've ever towed into Meadow Lake, then you know that with drop axles and spring under you are going to hit every rock on that road. But, that is not the real disadvantage of a drop axle to me. To me the big problem with drop axles is the leverage on the spindles. The spindle is being supported by a drop arm, and if you hit a pot hole or rock, you stand a very good chance of bending/twisting that drop arm. In a straight axle, the spindle is welded into the axle tube, and a lot more force is required to bend it. Anytime I'm selling or building a trailer for someone that might stand a good chance of going off road with it, I suggest straight beams. I have seen more of the drop axles bent, actually twisted at the drop arm, than straight axles. Just my .02.

Have you read "Trailer Tech by Bill Vista" yet? Top thread in this section. There are some pretty good articles about how to build trailers.

Thanks to all that offered their opinions and to 85 Chevota for his link to all his trailer posts as well the link to his trailer pics. All help was appreciated and led me to decide on straight axle.