Do two axle trailers tow better than single axle?

[Mark42]

Given the same boat (about 3000lbs), will a two axle trailer tow any better than the single axle trailer?

Assume that both trailers were designed to carry that 3000 lbs boat.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Do two axle trailers tow better than single axle?

Tandem axle trailers will track better -- meaning there is less tendency to sway. The down side is you have four tires, four sets of bearings, and other suspension pieces to keep an eye on and to perform maintenance on. They are also harder on tires since they are dragged around sharp corners rather than steered. That's because the pivot point is at walking beam attachment point which is directly between the two sets of tires. That doesn't happen on a single axle trailer. They have higher rolling resistance so fuel economy will suffer.Tandems are typically used because a single axle trailer is at its maximum capacity so the next step up is a tandem. Then a tri-axle and so on. If you are buying a new trailer and your current boat is at or very near the trailers load capacity, but you might buy a larger boat in the near future, you may want to opt for a tandem so you don't need a new trailer down the road. At the end of the day -- a single axle trailer is adequate up to its specified maximum load.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Do two axle trailers tow better than single axle?

In addition to what Silvertip said...

Assuming the boat is 3000# and the trailer is another 700#, you are up to 3700# with no gas or other stuff thrown in the boat. Axle would be rated at 3500#. I would go with a tandem trailer. Most trailer manufacturers max single axle trailers are rated at around 3600# including the weight of the trailer.

My last trip to Tahoe with a tandem trailer, I had all the lug bolts shear off of one wheel. I was at least able to limp off the freeway and get my self going again. A single axle trailer would have had the hub rolling along the road.

 

[levittownnick]

Re: Do two axle trailers tow better than single axle?

The 2 previous posts say it all. I can only reinforce what was said above. I have a tandem axel trailer and it don't like tight turns and I don't like the extra maintainance, but if you need the capacity, the choice is obvious.

 

[JB]

Re: Do two axle trailers tow better than single axle?

I towed my Boston Whaler Outrage 18 on both single and dual axle trailers.

My opinions may not apply to all single/dual axle comparisons, but I much preferred the single. I think it tracked better, it definitely maneuvered better, and the tires lasted longer.

In addition to the obvious maintenence comparisons I had to realign the wheels on the dual regularly or they scrubbed and added a lot to the drag. Getting two tires tracking exactly the same is hard enough, but four was ten times harder.

 

[SwampNut]

Re: Do two axle trailers tow better than single axle?

I've always found that dual axles drive better, sway less, and you have the safety margin of being able to run with a blown tire for a short distance.

 

[salty87]

Re: Do two axle trailers tow better than single axle?

'better' is so subjective. with some tow verhicles, you'll notice differences between the two. with a honking big truck, you might not.

it seems the pro's and con's have been discussed. i think tandems sway less, track better, have an edge when it comes to flat tires, have more tires and bearings to maintain, and can be harder to turn in tight quarters....oh yeah, cost more too.

my boat is a little too big for single so my choice was made. i can really tell the difference when pulling someone else's single, i'm not used to the difference and don't really like it.

 

[87sylvanv171]

Re: Do two axle trailers tow better than single axle?

One thing that i like about dual axle trailers better is that they back up easier. I have towed everything from race cars to horses to boats. My boat is the only single axle trailer that i tow. Its more of a pain to line it up at the ramp, than the 45 ft horse trailer that I use to pull every week end.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Do two axle trailers tow better than single axle?

My boat is the only single axle trailer that i tow. Its more of a pain to line it up at the ramp,

Put a Longer neape on it,+ That problem will be History.....

It's All about the Distance to the Axle,... Not how Many there are.......

 

[Mischief Managed]

Re: Do two axle trailers tow better than single axle?

My last boat had a single 6000 lb rated axle. The tires I used limited it to 4300 lbs. It hought it towed better than my present dual axle trailer. No binding in tight corners and it was a heckuva lot cheaper and easier to maintain. With only 3000 lbs of boat, I'd get another 6000 lb single axle long before I'd get a dual axle. A spare tire is necessary either way.

 

[piratedude]

Re: Do two axle trailers tow better than single axle?

2 is better than 1! 1 is better than none! i have a triple axel and love it! no sway and if a tire blows- i keep on going!

 

[SuperNova]

Re: Do two axle trailers tow better than single axle?

My personal experience with a tandem axle ez-loader and a blown tire were- the axle doesn't stay up without a tire under it. The rim hit the ground and the sparks flew. I had to pull over immediately and take care of the situation. I also knew when it blew out because the trailer became unstable. This happened to me twice- once at slow speed (appr. 35 mph) and once on the highway at 55 mph. The effect was the same. The rig was undrivable.So don't bank on the "I can still run on three" security aspect of a tandem, it may or may not work out. I tow a 26 ft Nova about 2600 miles a year. Definitely get a good spare for the trailer. Another upside to the tandem is you get an extra set of brakes out back and more tire contact with the road surface so stopping is much more efficient and you are less likely to lock the trailer brakes up during a panic stop.

 

[reelfishin]

Re: Do two axle trailers tow better than single axle?

I would say that I prefer a double in most cases, but if your pulling a boat that may be either near the limit of your tow vehicle, a single axle may handle and back a little easier, but pulling wise I usually prefer a light double to a super heavy single axle, especially for longer trips. If you blow a tire or wheel bearing, you still have three more to keep rolling with. Lose a tire or bearing on the single axle and you better have spare parts or good towing insurance.

I seem to see a lot of boats that are a bit much for the trailer they came on, especially on older boats. I had a 1968 Trihull that came with a single axle trailer with those little 12" tires, it was near max with just the boat, fill the tank and toss in a cooler or two and some tackle, and it was on the frame. It ate tires and bearings on a regular basis too.
I have a 20' Renken now, it's on a heavy single axle, and it's been fine, but I only go about 15 miles to the water on back roads. If the trip meant running the interstate, I'd seriously think about putting it on a dual axle trailer just for piece of mind. It would also most likely mean that my 4 cylinder truck would have to be upgraded, since it's about at it's limit with the rig the way it is.