Are tandm trailes easier to maneuver than a single axle?

[capecodtodd]

I'm looking to upgrade my boat and the style I want comes with a tandem trailer. I have only owned single axle ones. Question is are the tandem easier to maneuver? A guy up the street has a huge CC with a tandem and I have seen him whip it around in the cul de sac at the end of our road. I could never do that with my single axle.
Are tandem trailers easier to pull, turn and back?

 

[alldodge]

What makes a trailer easier to back is how long it is, the longer the better (to a point), so it doesn't turn so quick from a bit of steering. The guy up the street probably has more practice pulling and backing which can make it look easier.

 

[dingbat]

Yep, longer tongue is better

Our tandem horse trailer is a lot harder to steer than the boat

 

[capecodtodd]

What makes a trailer easier to back is how long it is, the longer the better (to a point), so it doesn't turn so quick from a bit of steering. The guy up the street probably has more practice pulling and backing which can make it look easier.

That is so true. I can put my trailer with its 20' boat just about anywhere but give me a small 4x8 trailer get the camera ready for a you tube FAIL video. LOL

I have also seen tractor trailers spin down the end of the road, they have regular city cabs but still long boxes. The tandem wheels seem to act like a pivot on themselves.

 

[MTboatguy]

Just depends on what you learn with each type of trailer, I am good at backing just about any of them up, including up to 40 5th wheel travel trailers, but it takes practice and patients to understand the particulars to each type of trailer you pull. Short tongue trailers can drive you crazy until you figure out how they swing and pinch at the hitch ball. I often teach new trailer users how to backup as well as how to work with the swing of the trailer going around corners. Proper hand placement on the wheel is really important. I always put my hand at 6 o'clock on the wheel when backing a trailer up, that way the trailer is going the way my hand is going, others like to put their hand at 12 o'clock and then the trailer goes the opposite of what your hand is doing.

It all depends on what and how you learn to control the trailer.

 

[ahicks]

Familiarity/practice a bigger factor than length.

 

[KD4UPL]

A tandem will normally ride a little better. If it's longer it will back easier. If it's the same length likely no difference. As for turning, a single axle should turn a little easier because you aren't putting the tandem tires in "a bind" when you turn sharp. Take a close look at the tires on a tandem when it's being turned sharply, the tires will be leaning slightly on the bottom, one in, and one out as it makes a sharp corner.
If your neighbor can turn his trailer you should be able to turn yours unless your rig is a whole lot longer than his.

 

[jimmbo]

Try moving a tandem trailer over a foot by hand, not going to happen, well it might if you have 4 or 5 more people helping.

If you can do a U-turn with the tow vehicle without hitting a curb or going off the road, the trailer will follow in a tighter turn radius, The boat hanging behind the axle might swing wide thus requiring more clearance but...

 

[capecodtodd]

Thanks for the input guys. What the tractor trailers and the guy with the long CC does is they really attack that circle at the end of the road. They really cut their tractors/truck really tight to the point of jack knifing. I guess I'm more easy going with my trailer driving if that makes sense, and prefer not to jam it up like that. I might have to find a spot where I can practice this tight turning maneuver.

 

[aspeck]

I am pretty proficient in backing a trailer and to get my boat in the garage we are making a 90* turn off the road onto the driveway, then a 45* turn into the garage area and then another 45* to maneuver between the retaining wall and the garage openings. It is tight and tricky. It was much easier BEFORE I had to cut 2 feet off the trailer tongue to allow the rig to fit into the garage with my tow vehicle. Tongue length is a big factor.

 

[TyeeMan]

This is my first tandem axle boat trailer I've had. Definitely rides better and tracks better. Backing up is a little easier simply because it's a longer trailer.
As far as taking a really sharp turn with a tandem, , I just can't get myself to do it unless absolutely necessary or if the trailer is empty. I just have this thing about side loading the tires so much.

Now, where you will notice it's incredibly difficult to maneuver is if you are trying to move the boat and trailer by hand. Back and forth in a straight line, no problem. Don't even think about trying to turn the trailer. I needed to get the trailer tongue over a little in the garage. It took myself and the wife and about a 10 foot distance rolling the trailer while pushing the front of the trailer over.
Thankfully I rarely if ever need to do that.

 

[Leardriver]

Single axle trailers are great for bouncing when you hit the slightest bump.
My short 3 rail dirt bike trailer takes more game to back up than any trailer I've been around. My 27' bowrider trailer goes pretty straight due to it's length.