Recommended Trailer Suspension And Axles Along With B&W Biker Bar For Motorcycle Trailer Build

Question

Question:

I will be trailering three Harleys and am looking at the Biker Bar system for my Bikes. A 2016 Road glide Ultra, A 2001 Dyna Wide Glide and a 2006 Softail Standard. My question is really about the trailer I will be having made. With that much weight, about 2400 lbs worth of bikes plus trailer weight I am looking at a trailer with two 3500 lb axles. What is your take on Torsion vs Leaf Spring axles for a trailer to carry motorcycles? Some people say, Torsion axle is a softer ride. The guy that will be building the trailer says he likes the leaf springs because they can be repaired and the ride quality is not that much different. Im concerned about damage to the bikes if the axles are to stiff. What do you think? Also, the trailer builder wants to weld a metal plate to the trailer frame on the under side, to bolt the Biker Bar to, instead of sandwiching it between the floor of the trailer with the metal plate that comes with the Biker Bar. What do you think? This is going to be a open flat bed trailer, not an enclosed one. Thanks

asked by: Tom

1

Helpful Expert Reply:

Being a Harley guy myself, I understand your concern and appreciate your question on ride. The torsion axles won't necessarily give you a softer ride as a lot of the ride is dependent on the complete system. The torsion axles basically have the suspension integrated but are not adjustable. The leaf spring suspension gives you that adjustability and there are even suspension dampening equalizers available like the E-Z Flex Heavy Duty Rubber Suspension System by Dexter Axle - 5-5/8" Equalizers # K71-652-00. For a kit you can use the Tandem-Axle Trailer Hanger Kit for Double-Eye Springs - 1-1/2" Front/Rear, 2-1/2" Center # APT3. So you can even out your concerns as either system can work fine it just depends on your preferences. Another great option is the Timbren Silent Ride Suspension for Tandem Axle Trailers w/ 3" Round Axles - 7,000 lbs # TSR7000T05. This will hold your two 3500 lb axles and be the suspension system for your trailer. This system uses double aeon rubber springs to absorb shock and support the load. If you choose to use standard axles versus torsion, I recommend the Dexter Trailer Axle w/ Electric Brakes - EZ-Lube - 5 on 4-1/2 Bolt Pattern - 89" - 3,500 lbs # e43SR. This will give you trailer brakes and compatible hubs whether you use traditional leaf springs or the Aeon Rubber Suspension system.

You won't have any damage to your bikes based on the ride of your trailer using the B&W Biker Bar Motorcycle Tie-Down System for Trailers - Harley-Davidson Touring # BWMC2301 for your Road Glide Ultra and the B&W Biker Bar Motorcycle Tie-Down System for Trailers - Harley-Davidson Softail, Dyna, V-Rod # BWMC2302 for your Wide Glide and Softail. These systems hold the frame of your bike and your bike suspension can still absorb shock from any transferred road shock and your motors are all rubber mounted so you will have some absorbing integrated to protect your bikes. They will feel far less than they would being ridden.

The welded metal plate will actually be more sturdy that sandwiching the floor with the metal plate. This application will work fine and give you more support.

expert reply by: Jason S

1

Answer 1

The Timbren Silent Ride Suspension for Tandem Axle Trailers w/ 2-3/8" Round Axles - 7,000 lbs #TSR7000T04 will actually give you more frame contact than a typical leaf spring system as the hangers have less contact, but you are correct it…

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Answer 2

That's an interesting question, and I can see where you are coming from as a tandem axle trailer uses three hangers, but a trailer load isn't transferred between the hangers, it is transferred between the leaf springs via the…

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Answer 3

The Roadmaster Comfort Ride Leaf Spring Suspension Kit #RM-2460-2570 that you are looking at is designed to allow each axle to act independently of the other, similar to the way torsion axles work. While it uses slipper springs to achieve this on…

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Answer 4

The Timbren Silent Ride 7k system part #TSR7000T05 would be a great solution that doesn't quite break the bank like the MorRyde would. Then for a disc brake kit you'd want the part #K2HR712D which is a 7k kit that will fit your Lippert 7k…

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Answer 5

The axle spacing of the Timbren Silent Ride part #TSR7000T04 is the standard 33 inch spacing so the tongue weight would not change at all assuming you installed in exact same location as axles it was replacing.

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Answer 6

This is a really good question but you do not have to install anything beyond what comes with the Lippert Center Point #LC1565391. The 2 inch lift that gets added does not need to be compensated with longer hangers. So with just this kit you'll…

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Answer 7

For cost to stay down, I recommend the Axle-Less Suspension kit like #A35RS545E for a tandem axle application. These come in various weight capacities and use Aeon Rubber springs for suspension instead of the leaf springs or rubber cords in a torsion…

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Answer 8

If you think of the Timbren Silent Ride Suspension #TSR7000T04 as a triangle then it makes a little more sense. A triangle is a strong structure. The weight is applied equally out to the legs at the bottom. Now if the single attachment point was as…

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Answer 9

I'll start out by saying that the Timbren Silent Ride Suspension for Tandem Axle Trailers w/ 3" Round Axles - 7,000 lbs #TSR7000T05 cannot be adjusted to raise or lower the height of the trailer; putting anything between the trailer frame…

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Answer 10

The Timbren Axle-Less Trailer Suspension Systems is available with a 7,000 lb rating, the Timbren Axle-Less Trailer Suspension System part #TASR7KS01. This can then be paired with the Dexter Electric Trailer Brake Kit part #23-180-181 and Dexter…

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Answer 11

The Timbren Silent Ride part #TSR7000T04 is exactly what you are looking for. It is designed to fit two Dexter 3,500 lb axles like you have. It shouldn't lift your suspension but you can check by measuring the distance between the axle center you…

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Answer 12

Per Timbren The Timbren Silent Ride Suspension for Tandem Axle Trailers w/ 3 inch Round Axles - 7,000 pounds #TSR7000T05 has a travel of 2-1/2 inch with the regular axles and 6-3/16 inches with the drop axle.

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Recommended Trailer Suspension And Axles Along With B&W Biker Bar For Motorcycle Trailer Build

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