Single vs dual axle trailer ??

B

bgreene

Banned
I may squeeze out only this season with the current dual axle that came with the boat.

I see a LOT of V's riding on single axle trailers.

Why ? Is a good single more than adaquate ? Does it " ride " nicely ?
Is a dual axle trailer really necessary.........as in is it worth the extra cost and related maintainance ?
 
When I bought my V it was on a single axle trailer and rode ok. I rebuilt a tandem axle trailer for it during the rebuild and it rides on it now. It seems to ride alittle smoother on the duel axle, plus the weight is distrubited between four tires instead of two. Makes me feel better.
 
depends on how far you have to trailer. i have a 10 mile round trip to ramp, so a single would be ok, but on that 1500 round trip to the keys, i had to have a tandem. i believe most singles are rated around 3500 lbs. i have had 5 flat tires while traveling at interstate speeds and a tandem keeps the pucker factor down.
 
I have pulled both and feel more comfortable with a dual axle than a single. Especially with the added security factor of four wheels vs two in case of a tire blowing as stated previously.
 
Take a look at my sig pic. I've trailered down to Fla and back 1650 miles each way with no problem. I carry a spare, a jack and two complete sets of bearings. My point is that with the proper precautions a single is fine. :head:
 
When I bought my V it was on a borrowed dual axle bunk trailer while I did some work to the single axle. Now in defense of the dual trailer, it wasnt set up specifically for my boat, but that thing fought me everytime I set in or pulled out and it pulled like I had a 30 footer back there. When I finished with the single axle it just seemed to fit better...boat jumps in the water and hopes back on the trailer. The ramp is only a mile from my house so pulling isnt an issue. I like the way it sits higher on the trailer with the rollers vs bunks also. That being said, if I was towing any great distance I would def opt for a dual axle
 
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I used to be of a mind that a tandem was the way to go...I'm in the process of changing my mind on that...any time you put more wheels on the ground, you are adding more resistance to going down the road...and more weight, which in itself is a negative...

I'm coming more and more to believe it's all in the trailer's weight capacity...there are tandems w/6,000lb capacity and there are singles w/6,000lb capacity...

W/a tandem, a flat will put you on the side of the road as surely as w/a single...and under certain circumstances, you could have two flats on one side instead of just one...

As boat sizes increase, eventually you GOTTA go to a tandem, but I don't think a V20 NEEDS one.

Destroyer seems do do fine on long distance tows and Rob pulled his V from NJ to SC last Spring w/no problems on his single axle...at this point, as long as it's the right weight capacity, I'd lean toward a single...
 
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Also your tow vehicle plays a role in which trailer to get. I've trailered alot of boats with my old CHEROKEES I had, and i will say a 20 foot boat on a single could be a white knuckle drive t times where as with a tandem it was a breeze. If you have a large tow vehicle then go with the smallest you can get by with.
 
THEFERMANATOR said:
Also your tow vehicle plays a role in which trailer to get. I've trailered alot of boats with my old CHEROKEES I had, and i will say a 20 foot boat on a single could be a white knuckle drive t times where as with a tandem it was a breeze. If you have a large tow vehicle then go with the smallest you can get by with.
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Hey Ferm...possibly a little light in the tongue weight on the singles??...I know it got me before...:cen:
 
reelapeelin said:
Hey Ferm...possibly a little light in the tongue weight on the singles??...I know it got me before...:cen:
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Nope, it would go from the back end drifting to the front end drifting over bumps at speed, then would start wagging the trailer around whenever i would get passed. I always swapped over to a dual axle trailer when i towed with my CHEROKEE as a single on anything over 2K pounds or so would get hairy. Then again I didn't used to drive slow either. Now I t doesn't really matter:hi:, the BURB don't know it's back there.
 
THEFERMANATOR said:
Nope, it would go from the back end drifting to the front end drifting over bumps at speed, then would start wagging the trailer around whenever i would get passed.
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Describes my tandem to a tea, until I shifted the sliding dual axle assembly to the rear which put more weight on the tongue...straightened it right out...

I mentioned above that weight capacity, whether tandem or single axle, is crucial and it is...but tongue weight is as important, especially at interstate speeds...
 
I'd rather have a solid heavy duty single than a flimsy tandem. Also as reel said properly setting up your trailer for your boat is crucial for proper towing.
 
I like to have the backup for 2 extra wheels, I pulled my first V-20 from FL to SC and by the time I got back I had only one rear wheel on port side and one front wheel on starboard of the trailer but I could still pull it back.
 
Like Reel said, proper tongue weight is important. I keep mine between 200-300 lbs. and have no problems towing at highway speeds (or slightly above). Brakes are just as important to me since I do tow with my Jeep Cherokee, which, like Ferm said, can be a white knuckle experience due to it's light weight. You have to try several different setups to see which one works the best. Once it's dialed in for your vehicle you'll find that long distance trailering is no more of a problem than going to the corner deli. :beer:
 
I am surprised you will have to be replacing the trailer so soon. Is it a painted trailer which has been used in salt water? If so, that would explain it. Even if you hose them down after dipping them in the salt water, the painted trailers do not last long at all.
 
CharlestonSC said:
I like to have the backup for 2 extra wheels, I pulled my first V-20 from FL to SC and by the time I got back I had only one rear wheel on port side and one front wheel on starboard of the trailer but I could still pull it back.
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MAN!!...tell me what make/Model trailer that was!!...there's gotta be some more to this story...:news:...
 
Take the wheels off and chain up the axle. By the time he got home he was on two wheels, one per side but on different axles, if I understand him correctly.
I like the feel of the tandem when the tire decides to blow. Had a series of blowouts under the Whaler. One let go as I was in the go fast lane after crossing the Courtney Campbell Causeway(long bridge) on 275 Eastbound. Tire shredded going 65 just as I was making the first right hander by Westshore, the sea of cars parted just in time for me to get all the way over to the triangle on the shoulder where Westshore Blvd merges with 275. Lucky as he// because the bridge is no place to break down and 275 is nothing but bridges and concrete barriers for miles.
 
RidgeRunner said:
Take the wheels off and chain up the axle. By the time he got home he was on two wheels, one per side but on different axles, if I understand him correctly.
I like the feel of the tandem when the tire decides to blow. Had a series of blowouts under the Whaler. One let go as I was in the go fast lane after crossing the Courtney Campbell Causeway(long bridge) on 275 Eastbound. Tire shredded going 65 just as I was making the first right hander by Westshore, the sea of cars parted just in time for me to get all the way over to the triangle on the shoulder where Westshore Blvd merges with 275. Lucky as he// because the bridge is no place to break down and 275 is nothing but bridges and concrete barriers for miles.
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Yeah, I've seen 'em strapped, roped and chained...I guess the moral is carry a couple of loggin' chains when towin' a tandem...

Sounds like ya got lucky on 275...I went back and forth over that a couple of times in recent years and you're RIGHT...but to the point of this thread, even with 4 wheels on the ground, you were lookin' for the side of the road pretty quick...

Wish I'd known you back when I was comin' that way...I'd have stopped by for grilled brats!!...:beer:
 
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