Single axle?!

[SnowHunter]

So, whats the deal with all these boat trailers being single axles? Even ones that are set up to hold boats from 14ft-20ft? Is it simply a money saver for manufacturers?

Comin from someone whos towed horse trailers and flatbed trailers, the double axle is so much more stable!!! The experiences I've had with single axle trailers have been, well, nerve wrecking and less then stellar, due to the lack of stability...

So, I guess I'm just curious, and asking why?

 

[83Evinrude]

Re: Single axle?!

I'm just curious, and asking why?

Probably money and weight. My current and previous boats both had single axle trailers and had excellent road manners. Its generally easier to push a single axle trailer around by hand as well. One weighed 2500lbs loaded so didn't require a second axle, and I haven't weighed our current setup yet but don't expect it to be different.

Our four horse bumper pull and 29' 5th wheel absolutely require tandem axles though.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Single axle?!

Personally prefer a single axle for smaller boats and loads.
Is it cheaper to manufacture......Yes, cheaper to buy.....Yes
Is the trailer lighter because of it....Yes
If you are well within the weight limits for a single axle then i see no point in having more. I have never had any issues towing or reversing a single.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Single axle?!

Single axle trailers are generally in the 3500# GVWR and are limited by the axle/spring/tire combination. It makes no sense to install two 2000# axles to make a 4000# trailer to haul a 2000# load. Nor does it make sense to add another 3500# axle to make a 7000# trailer to haul a 2000 or 3000# load. It is simply a cost, load and GVWR requirement.

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Single axle?!

Agreed, no reason to have a tandem axle if the weight of the boat doesn't require it. However, I uually find that tandem axle trailers track better and have less bouncing than single-axles, but that's mainly because of the heavier weight and the better weight distribution.

 

[mattpyle]

Re: Single axle?!

Comin from someone whos towed horse trailers and flatbed trailers, the double axle is so much more stable!!!

Most flatbed trailers are setup to haul 7K or more lbs, so they need the extra axle. Horse trailers are the same way, unless you just have a single horse trailer. One horse weighs nearly, if not, 1k lbs on it's own. Plus, you blow out a tire on a single axle horse trailer, horse is going to be pissed when/if the trailer starts flying all around. Blow out a tire on a dual axle and nothing really happens usually

 

[SnowHunter]

Re: Single axle?!

I guess I just prefer the stability of a dual axle.

Towing with my F350 Crew Cab, a single axle aint that big of a deal, since ya can't hardly even tell theres anything back there, but towing with the F150 or Expedition, the single axle trailers tend to move the whole rig around on the road a bit more.

Driving backroads and around town aint bad with either hauling set up, but on the interstate, where all the idiots are around here, it tends to get a bit hairy at times...

Single axle sure is cheaper when it comes time to get new tires though

 

[mattpyle]

Re: Single axle?!

Make sure the trailer has a nice set of shocks on it. That will make a huge difference for sure.

 

[180shabah]

Re: Single axle?!

the single axle trailers tend to move the whole rig around on the road a bit more.

I would guess you have more of an issue with load balance/setup than a single/dual axle issue. I had to buy a new draw bar and move the winch post and axle around to get it right, but my boat now track rock solid. No twitchyness, no sway, and no tire scrubbing making the 90 turn in reverse to park it. Tandem axle camper - not quite a ncie to tow, but it is much larger and a solid ton heavier.

 

[SnowHunter]

Re: Single axle?!

I would guess you have more of an issue with load balance/setup than a single/dual axle issue. I had to buy a new draw bar and move the winch post and axle around to get it right, but my boat now track rock solid. No twitchyness, no sway, and no tire scrubbing making the 90 turn in reverse to park it. Tandem axle camper - not quite a ncie to tow, but it is much larger and a solid ton heavier.

probbaly right....none of the single axle trailer setups were ideal, but they got the job done.

Haven't had to tow the boats with anything but the F350 CC yet, so it might not be an issue when I do, due to better balance

 

[tpcowfish]

Re: Single axle?!

I have travelled towing a boat with a single axle, boats were 18-20 ft , and never had a problem. As long as a good trailer design ,and straight and lined up right, and within weight restrictions. Usually 4-5 hundred miles one way, they worked great. I now have a new trailer tandem axle,which i havent towed more than 130 miles one way don't know if i can see to much difference, maybe a little less bouncy?

 

[dazk14]

Re: Single axle?!

What you are describing sounds like too low a tongue weight. Boats generally are 5-7% of total load.

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Single axle?!

Make sure the trailer has a nice set of shocks on it. That will make a huge difference for sure.

I can honestly say i don't think I have EVER seen a trailer with shocks, outside of air ride suspension at least...

What i'm kind of surprised is that you don't see more single torsion axle trailers. Picked up a 8x10 snowmobile trailer with a torsion axle, and it rides as well as the tow vehicle pulling it. No extra bouncing, and it handles EXTREMELY well behind the vehicle. World of difference compared to a leaf spring, and vastly fewer parts to rust/fall apart/fail.

 

[SnowHunter]

Re: Single axle?!

Hmmmm.... weight might be the big difference I'm seeing *shrug*

I've honestly not done much towing of anything light weight. Its all been 5k + which tends to lend a smoother and steadier ride....

Guess I'll get used to it when I start takin the boat to the lake

 

[180shabah]

Re: Single axle?!

World of difference compared to a leaf spring, and vastly fewer parts to rust/fall apart/fail.

Ahh, but the rubber fails, there is no repair, just replace the axle.

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Single axle?!

Ahh, but the rubber fails, there is no repair, just replace the axle.

yep, the drawback, non repairable... it won't fail dramatically, it will just lose suspension ability over time. (my snowmobile trailer is 15 years old, original axle yet, in great shape.)

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Single axle?!

I like towing my single a whole lot better than the double. Even the double empty is a pain. I think the OP isn't well balanced. His boat, that is!

Around here you don't see doubles on boats under 20'. You see a lot of singles up to 22'. After than, doubles. Of course, length is not the real measure; I'm sure a 19' walk around weighs mroe than a 25' carolina skiff.

 

[mattpyle]

Re: Single axle?!

I can honestly say i don't think I have EVER seen a trailer with shocks, outside of air ride suspension at least...

For a light weight setup, being pulled by a light weight truck...ya shocks would make a huge improvement. The heavier the load on the trailer, the less it matters.

 

[SnowHunter]

Re: Single axle?!

I like towing my single a whole lot better than the double. Even the double empty is a pain. I think the OP isn't well balanced. His boat, that is!

Around here you don't see doubles on boats under 20'. You see a lot of singles up to 22'. After than, doubles. Of course, length is not the real measure; I'm sure a 19' walk around weighs mroe than a 25' carolina skiff.

Well...I've bever been accused of bein completely off my rocker...not that I'm ever very far from it though Oh, and that'd be "HER" boat Hubs prefers this boat thing to be my madness, not his, LOL!

Neither of the boats towed badly. Just seeing em bouncing and wigglin a bit behind the 1ton was a bit unnerving...course, driving with not so great tires on the trailers didn't help, but that will get remedied once they both get pulled from under the boats... along with some other modifications to help balance the boats proper!

 

[mrdancer]

Re: Single axle?!

I run a 26-foot boat on a single-axle trailer. However, that single-axle is a 5200-lb axle (or maybe its 5400-lb, can't remember off-hand). Tows great, and I can manhandle the boat on a concrete garage floor pretty easily. I don't think the boat weighs much more than 2000lbs., but hitting bumps and potholes can put a lot more dynamic weight on the axle/spring combination, so I'd always recommend going with a higher-capacity axle.