tor·sion
Show Spelled[
tawr-sh
uh
n]
Show IPA
noun 1.the act of
twisting.
2.the state of
being twisted.
3.Mechanics.
a.the twisting of a body
by two equal and
opposite torques.
b.the internal torque so produced.
A
torsion bar suspension, also known as a
torsion spring suspension or
torsion beam suspension, is a general term for any
vehicle suspension that uses a torsion bar as its main weight bearing spring. One end of a long metal bar is attached firmly to the vehicle chassis; the opposite end terminates in a lever, the torsion key, mounted perpendicular to the bar, that is attached to a suspension arm, a spindle, or the axle. Vertical motion of the wheel
causes the bar to twist around its axis and is resisted by the bar's torsion resistance. The effective spring rate of the bar is determined by its length, cross section, shape and material.
I've been using weight distribution hitches since the '70's, and have recently been searching the net for hitches using torsion bars,
as Andy
has tested here, and to date, I have found none.
All that I have found use weight distribution bars that act as common leaf type springs, but no torsion bars.
Andy, would you please tell us what hitches you are testing that use torsion bars. 
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