Duratorques

It's a rubber torsion axle. Inside a square steel beam sit rubber cords, and a swing arm for each wheel twists against them — as the wheel hits a bump, the rubber compresses and springs it back, then naturally damps the movement. Because the two sides aren't connected, each wheel is sprung independently, unlike leaf springs which link both wheels. That independent action is what gives the smooth, stable ride Duratorques are known for.

Duratorques give a smoother, independently sprung ride with built-in damping and almost no maintenance — nothing to rust, crack or adjust — and they resist corrosion well, so they're a favourite for boat and coastal trailers. Leaf springs are simpler, cheaper and easy to repair or re-rate by swapping the spring pack. For the best ride and lowest upkeep, go Duratorque; for simple and economical, leaf springs still do the job. We stock both.

Half-beam Duratorques come as two separate units, one per side, that you bolt to opposite sides of the trailer chassis — they fit any chassis width, let you set your own track width, and are available from stock, which makes them the most common choice. Full-beam Duratorques are a one-piece unit made to order for your exact trailer width, giving maximum rigidity and guaranteed wheel alignment. Full beams are also available in a gull-wing shape for boat trailers, letting the boat sit lower.

Single-axle Duratorques come in 1000kg, 1500kg, 1750kg, 2200kg and 3000kg ratings — match this to your trailer's fully loaded weight, with a bit in hand. One important note for tandem (twin-axle) trailers: each axle's capacity is reduced by 25% when paired, so two 1500kg axles carry 2250kg total, not 3000kg. If you tell us your loaded weight and whether it's single or tandem, we'll get the rating right.

Yes. Duratorques can be fitted with non-braked hubs or with braked hubs — hydraulic disc, or electric or hydraulic drum, depending on the capacity. Disc brakes are popular on boat trailers for their corrosion resistance and easy rinsing. On a braked tandem setup, it's the front axle that's braked. Let us know your trailer's weight and whether it legally needs brakes and we'll sort the right hub option.

They're ideal, which is why they dominate the NZ boat-trailer market. The rubber springing is sealed inside the beam so there are no exposed springs to rust, and all the components are galvanised or plated for salt-water resistance. The independent, well-damped ride also protects your boat and gear over rough boat-ramp approaches. Pair one with disc-braked hubs and a fresh-water rinse after launching and you've got a low-maintenance, long-lasting setup.

Very little — that's a big part of the appeal. There are no leaves, shackles or bushes to rust, crack or grease, since the rubber springing is sealed inside the beam. Normal trailer upkeep still applies (wheel bearings, brakes, a rinse-down after salt water), but the suspension itself is essentially maintenance-free. On the 1000kg to 1750kg models the stub axles are a bolt-in replaceable design, which makes servicing a damaged stub straightforward.

Yes — Duratorques are self-contained and bolt straight to the trailer chassis, so they're a common upgrade from leaf springs. Half beams fit any chassis width and are usually in stock, so they're the easy retrofit; you set the track width by where you mount them. Full beams are custom-made to your trailer's width, so we'll need your measurements to order one. Bring in your trailer details or measurements and we'll match the right axle — mount them with the swing arms trailing, as Trojan recommends.