Single vs tandem axle?

[ZmOz]

Looking for a new boat, 18' ish under 3000lbs fully loaded. Seems a lot of the ones I'm looking at have tandem axle trailers. Is that really necessary on a boat that small? What is the advantage? All I see are twice as many tires to replace and twice as many bearings to pack. Is it worth the extra maintainence? Two wheels have served my current boat just fine for over 30 years...

 

[tommays]

Re: Single vs tandem axle?

If you dont need it its a PITA much harder on the tires in turns REAL hard to wiggle around when your hitching up to the car ect<br /><br />And for some reason they seem to cut corners on the tire size on most NEW tandems with no concern for how much harder it is on the tires when turning and such <br /><br /><br />tommays

 

[springhead]

Re: Single vs tandem axle?

No need for tandem on an 18 footer, my 18 has a single and is just under 3000, most 20 plus boats have tandem. good luck

 

[ZmOz]

Re: Single vs tandem axle?

So why might a manufacturer sell a boat that size with a tandem axle? Is there a reason? (assuming the trailers are original, they may not be)

 

[jeffnick]

Re: Single vs tandem axle?

My boat came w/ a single axle trailer. Fully loaded boat & trailer = <3500#. I put another axle under it, now it tracks better, I can use tires w/ lower ratings and there's a small security factor. I'd opt for the dual axle again.<br /><br />Single:<br />

<br /><br />Dual:<br />

 

[njlarry609]

Re: Single vs tandem axle?

I have never had a tandem but I feel a single is better as there is half the maintainece, half the parts to go wrong. A well maintained single gives me more comfort than a less maitained dual and easier to park. As the individaul tire rating on a dual is often to low for safety I wonder if there is any advantage in a failure?<br />At 3000 lbs a single with brakes should more than adequate imo.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Single vs tandem axle?

individaul tire rating on a dual is often to low for safety

Tires are considerably underrated when compared with their design ratings. I would imagine that you'll find out that the average "street" rating is anywhere from 25-50% of the actual design rating. A 1850 lbs rated tires certainly isn't going to fail with 1851 lbs. on it and probably isn’t going to be overly stressed with 2000 lbs. on it either.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Single vs tandem axle?

Twice the tires share the load at half the strain. Usually a tandem has brakes on one axle and packing the bearings is really not a big job. If you get a flat on one wheel on a tandem you can actually keep driving and you will not be stranded. The tandem axle trailers I have owned (3 of them) always seemed more secure and acted better behind the truck.

 

[Johnshan1]

Re: Single vs tandem axle?

The tandem trailers I have pulled are MUCH better than any single ive ever encountered. They track better, ride better, and are more stable. I also think they actually are easier to backup for some reason as well.

 

[sangerwaker]

Re: Single vs tandem axle?

I completely agree with Johnshan1. My current rig is the first tandem I've ever owned. This rig weighs a LOT more than my old 16' Forester on a single axle, but handles much better. Tracking is excellent, and the ride in the tow vehicle is better.<br /><br />My boat is a 20', but is light for it's size (low freeboard, and few goodies). A tandem is definitley not necessary, but I'll never not have one again.

 

[paulie0735]

Re: Single vs tandem axle?

Originally posted by njlarry609:<br /> A well maintained single gives me more comfort than a less maitained dual

.....and a well maintained dual gives twice the comfort than a well maintained single

 

[rottenray6402]

Re: Single vs tandem axle?

The tandem axle trailers are more maintence but they don't sway behind the tow vehicle near as bad especially at highway speeds. If I had my choice I would opt for a tandem anytime on any boat over 3000 lbs. Lets face it on the tire thing, you have to tow a lot of miles to actually wear out trailer tires and the newer tires don't dry rot as bad as the older ones. Just my 2 cents worth......

 

[JasonB]

Re: Single vs tandem axle?

I started out with a single under my 19' and after a couple years, I upgraded to a tandem. night/day difference. The tandem is heavier, but pulls much better. Maintenance is only another set of bearings.

 

[Fl_Richard]

Re: Single vs tandem axle?

Ever loose a trailer tire on the highway? If you have a tandum axle your most likely still here to read this. Plus you could probably nurse the vehicle to a tire shop and still make it out for a nice day on the water.

With a single axle blowout.... Your swerving all over the road, your changing a tire or your looking for a tow truck and your definately not out boating

 

[RetNav]

Re: Single vs tandem axle?



I have a tandem under my dusky and it tracks well. As has been stated, it is twice the maintenance.

I have a singel under my Carolina Skiff and with the proper tounge weight it tracks as well as the tandem plus less maintenance. It also has the quick lube hubs which cuts the maintenance even more IMHO.

 

[JB]

Re: Single vs tandem axle?

Well, I never had a single axle trailer that was properly set up and loaded that didn't track more or less perfectly.

The only tandem I ever had tracked well and would tolerate a poor set-up without sway and wobble. . . BUT...

It had brakes on only one axle and in a hard stop they always locked up and pushed my truck. The skinny little tires just didn't have the grip of larger tires.

That, plus the extra toll on toll roads, difficulty in maneuvering by hand, near doubled costs, short life of dinky tires that scrub on every turn and the doubled maintenance make me prefer single axles when they can handle the load.

I have suffered tire failures on the highway with single axles. No problem. Put the spare on and go on my way. The idea that you can safely tow a tandem, even at low speed, with a flat tire scares heck out of me.

 

[troypolla]

Re: Single vs tandem axle?

You may be able to help me too. I am looking at a new Sea Hunt escape 200. Its a 20'4" boat, but the trailer that they are selling it with is a single. Should I be concerned that it is insufficent to support that kind of weight, or should it be fine?

Thanks for help.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Single vs tandem axle?

I would get a tandem. I just had a wheel come off my tandem trailer. It was a pain but would have been a catastrophe with a single.

My last 20' 6" boat had a tandem.

 

[jaycozer]

Re: Single vs tandem axle?

I recently bought a 19 foot runabout that is just over 3000 lbs. I feel that the second axle adds a little more stability and safety while being towed behind my pickup truck. I will probably make 95 percent of my trips in freshwater so the extra lube on the bearing buddies is not much of a hassle. Tire pressure, lights, brake, springs, etc all part of the deal anyway!
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