Question Shopping for a car hauler - any input on torsion vs leafspring from anyone w/ both?

[DaveGS4]

I'm shopping for a car hauler to pull my wife's track car. We haven't decided on an enclosed or open trailer yet but have some questions for folks that may have some experience with 'lower end' smaller enclosed trailers (but still looking at reputable brands like Pace or Continental)

The smaller trailers seem to have leaf-spring vs torsion suspension (in addition to smaller wheels). My wife did some digging on comparing torsion vs leaf and found the following

The advantages to torsion axles over traditional axles with leaf springs
are:
1. Totally self-contained so there is no need for other conventional
components.
2. Can be installed so that frame height is reduced. Lowers center of
gravity and provides more stable of a ride.
3. Independent suspension among wheels. Better for absorbing road bumps.
4. Easy installation.
Disadvantages:
1. More costly per axle.
2. If water does get in them there is the risk of unseen corrosion.

My question for those of you who have towed both - can you tell a big difference? Any caveats to either one or safety issues?

Other background that may be relevant:

Trailer Criteria
We plan to keep the trailer size to 20 - 22ft to keep the weight down - most of them seem to be in the 3,200 - 3,400 lb range. My wife's car will be about 2,800 lbs and we'll have an extra set of wheels/tires, 20 gals of fuel, jack, tools, etc not to exceed an extra 1,500 lbs. Planning to keep the total weight to 8K or less.

Since we're new to towing, we hope to find used vs new in the likely event we run it into something.

Tow Vehicle
I'm still learning / searching / reading up on towing (I'm sure I will have some questions to come ) but my most probable setup will be:

• 09 5.7 4x2 Tundra SR5 w/ tow package (got it)
• Tekonsha Prodigy controller and wiring harness) (ordered and on the way)
• BFG AT KO 10 ply tires on OEM 18s
• WDH for whatever trailer we get
• Considering Firestone bags but still researching if they'd be needed
• We'll likely put an ARE shell on the bed of the truck

Thanks in advance

[Gary_Tenison]

I dont have both now...but I have had two boat trailers. 5000 pound rated. The one with leaf springs was a constant problem. The leafs actually snapped due to poor material...a void or inclusion in the metal. I bought a torsional axle trailer to replace it and I love it. I think its a much better solution.

[DaveGS4]

Thanks Gary. We did up finding a deal on a used trailer at a local dealership and (unfortunately I guess ) it has leaf springs. My wife founds some good threads on a Porsche forum she reads comparing the two and while most folks thought the torsion was more plush and road better, most all the folks with leaf springs thought they also worked fine.

With the trailer we got I worked a 3 year full warranty into the deal. It's a never-used 2008 Continental Cargo V nose 22" that someone bought and needed to sell (but OEM warranty does not transfer).

Hopefully we won't find the same problems you had, thanks for your reply.

[MTeator]

The big thing I like with torsion is that the trailer can ride way lower.

[3rail]

Good advantages vs disadvantages.............that being said, I have towed both springs and torsion in a V nose 20 footer and the torsion axle is by far the better tow. Not to mention the lower ride height. Just my two cents, especially since you already bought a trailer.