Is a single axle enough for a 21' Bowrider?

[Biged007]

Re: Is a single axle enough for a 21' Bowrider?

Sorry guys I'm just bored tonight but here's another ave to run down.
Now for myself here in Ct. if needed I would buy a tandem NOT make one Why?
one answer The D.M.V. or as I put it The dept. of mental vegetables.
Ten years ago I built a motorcycle trailer and had to have it insp. as a home built. Okay that's fair I take it down and it fails why? 15" rims putting it in the 3000# range and no brakes. explaining to the inspector that I was registering it for only 1500 made no difference and wouldn't discuss it. 1 hour later I return with a set of borrowed 13's and it flew thru My point this is the mentality you are dealing with.

 

[rwidman]

Re: Is a single axle enough for a 21' Bowrider?

So your logic is that the carrying capacity is now lowered by adding a second axle...interesting logic. So if I had a beam in my home that was supported by 2 posts and I added a third post between the other two posts, your logic would be that the supporting weight of the beam is now less than when I started? No different than adding another axle. I am not proposing that the OP put more load on than he has now.

My logic is that since the maximum GVWR has not gone up and the trailer now weighs more, the capacity is less. It has nothing to do with beams in your house. There is no GVWR on a house.

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Is a single axle enough for a 21' Bowrider?

But adding an axle does increase the GVWR! you are using the rating on the capacity plate in your logic. Adding the axle will increase the load the tow vehicle is carrying thus reduce its capacity for loads other than or in addition to the towed vehicle.

However, adding an axle just will not be economically feasable. You have the cost of the axle, tires, rims, and mounting hardware. Then you need to get the link between the springs----easier to just sell the trailer and buy a higher capacity one.

AND: If the hull is so far greater in weight than trailer capacity, you will also need to add bunks or rollers for extra cost while the frame still may not be able to adequately take the load.

So rwidman, I agree with you, but for different reasons.

 

[rwidman]

Re: Is a single axle enough for a 21' Bowrider?

The "official" or legal GVWR will not go up.

 

[proaudioguy]

Re: Is a single axle enough for a 21' Bowrider?

I don't see how adding a torsion axle would be as hard as you guys are describing. The debate of cost, legality, etc is another issue. Simply sliding one torsion axle and adding a second with another set of wheels and tires seems pretty simple to me. Maybe someone that has done the work can chime in on that.

 

[109jb]

Re: Is a single axle enough for a 21' Bowrider?

Adding an axle or replacing the existing axle on a boat trailer does not increase the capacity. The manufacturer takes into account the strength of the frame and crossmembers as well as the bunks or rollers and actuator when determining capacity.

If your boat exceeds the capacity of the trailer, you should buy a bigger trailer.

The most common trailer axles have a 3500 lb capacity. These are the ones that use five bolt wheels.

Good points. I agree.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Is a single axle enough for a 21' Bowrider?

To the OP, Caulkins stopped making trailers many years ago but the parent company is still in business. Often trailer manufacturers, like the one that was on my Bayliner(was not a Caulkins), used the same basic frame in many configurations. I know that the same exact frame(same steel dimensions) that my trailer had was offered in a single axle version. Everything else was the same. Might be worth trying to contact them to ask them.

 

[Silver Eagle]

Re: Is a single axle enough for a 21' Bowrider?

If you ever get to experience a blow-out at highway speeds like I have, a tandem axle will surely save your rig (and keep you from needing to change your underwear). Go with the 2nd axle for a peace of mind.

That's good advice. When I bought my first boat It had a single axle trailer. with surge brakes. I took it down thew road on the way home and hit the brakes to see it if would stop me in time. It didn't . The boat was a 3500lbs. Arriva 21 ft with a 320 hp I/O. I went out and got a Loadrite trailer with Tandam axles and brakes all the way around. I personnally don't like surge brakes. They seem to lock up a lot .Get disc brakes. There ss with pads .This wil save you a lot of problems down the road.

 

[Biged007]

Re: Is a single axle enough for a 21' Bowrider?

Okay here's a stupid question as a single does allow for better turning and... and given the fact you are not running overloaded why not a dually setup? hell the trucks do it all the time and wouldn't this offer up the safety and stability one is looking to add. Of course I'm not saying that of a tandem but when you think of it a flat on a tandem will stop you dead but one on a duel will get you off the road.

 

[Lou C]

Re: Is a single axle enough for a 21' Bowrider?

I thought of this too but I realized that if its a 96" wide trailer the extra set of wheels might put you over the legal width limit...and then...you are still limited to the max weight that a pair of springs can carry...depending on size...but there is something to be said for this idea, if you didn't have to get a permit for the width issue...still would be limited to 2 brakes though...