Why virtually no single axle 5,000 lb GVWR cargo trailers

[ultrarunner]

I own 7 trailers of which 5 are single axle.

The single axles can be moved around the yard by hand and the tires last forever...

Never ever had a flat with a single axle... can't say the same for the double axle.

Each has it's place.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I own 7 trailers of which 5 are single axle.

The single axles can be moved around the yard by hand and the tires last forever...

Never ever had a flat with a single axle... can't say the same for the double axle.

Each has it's place.

Having a flat has absolutely nothing to do with the number of axles. It comes down to tire maintenance and luck.

Chris

 

[ultrarunner]

Tires on dual or multi-axle trailers are subject to tremendous sidewall force that doesn't exist with single axle trailers.

Here is a quick Bridgestone tire link regarding this...

Bridgestone Commercial Truck Tires

I've seen a tri-axle trailer pop a tire right off the rim when the driver was trying to negotiate one of the hairpin turns on the county road leading up to the ranch... a family friend had the towing concession for years and said loaded multi-axle trailers loosing a tire occur often.

With my own enclosed car hauler I regularly torque the tires (For lack of a better word) getting it backed into place where I park it...

Single Axle tires are never subjected to this...

If anyone wants to test this for themselves... just see how easy it is to pivot a single axle by hand vs a double which really can't be done...

Air-Tow sells both single and double axle trailers with the same gross trailer weight rating...

 

[Diamondpilot]

Tires on dual or multi-axle trailers are subject to tremendous sidewall force that doesn't exist with single axle trailers.

Here is a quick Bridgestone tire link regarding this...

Bridgestone Commercial Truck Tires

I've seen a tri-axle trailer pop a tire right off the rim when the driver was trying to negotiate one of the hairpin turns on the county road leading up to the ranch... a family friend had the towing concession for years and said loaded multi-axle trailers loosing a tire occur often.

With my own enclosed car hauler I regularly torque the tires (For lack of a better word) getting it backed into place where I park it...

Single Axle tires are never subjected to this...

If anyone wants to test this for themselves... just see how easy it is to pivot a single axle by hand vs a double which really can't be done...

Air-Tow sells both single and double axle trailers with the same gross trailer weight rating...

I agree towing a single will never put side forces on tires that tandem, tri, and quad axle trailers like we tow do but in 20 years of pulling about 10,000 miles per year, and making some turns on boat ramps and in boat yards that were hair pen I have never popped a tire.

Chris

 

[HHR]

I have seen equipment, tilt deck and dump trailers with a single 6,000 pound axle. I've never seen an enclosed cargo trailer with an axle rating over 3,500 pounds. I'm sure you could special order one.

 

[Capt Dan]

Just a thought but most of the 5000 lb single axle trailers I've seen tend to be designed for a specific piece of equipment. They have had stops/chocks to load the equipment the same way each time. Balance the weight properly. It might be difficult to get proper tongue weight when loading if not experienced.

I did see a really nicely equipped name brand 14 single 5000 lb. axle flatbed a few years ago listed at a dealer. Orange and every option available. I would have liked to own it for a Kubota BX but didn't think I wanted it for my old Kubota B's. Trailer would have looked way better than either tractor I have. It had everything I wanted at the time already on it and would have been nice for someone that makes money with there tractor.

Dan

 

[sacmarata]

I refuse to buy new and figured I could find a used 10,000lb+ bumper pull tandem with 2 brakes pretty easy. WRONG! I looked for over a month and all I could find was trailers with one brake and 3,500lb axles. Most had load range C tires. I finally foud an 18' jewel with 7,000lb axles for $2,000 that met all my needs but it took a LOT of searching.
I bet finding a single with anything more than 3,500lbs is nearly impossible, and I agree that I wouldn't wanna pull anything heavy on single axles for fear of a blowout.

 

[Capt Dan]

Why aren't there more 10,000# trailers? What you described is what I want in 20 foot length.

This trailer 20 foot 10,000# is what I think I want. A PJ Trailer Buggy hauler (at the price of the first one I saw). Not sure of options.
Dan

PJ Trailers - 5" Channel Buggy Hauler (B5)

 

[sacmarata]

Why aren't there more 10,000# trailers? What you described is what I want in 20 foot length.

This trailer 20 foot 10,000# is what I think I want. A PJ Trailer Buggy hauler (at the price of the first one I saw). Not sure of options.
Dan

PJ Trailers - 5" Channel Buggy Hauler (B5)

I wanted 20' but settled for 18'. I miss that 2' badly and have overhang with both my rotary mowers. I gave up to be honest.

 

[ultrarunner]

When I built my dump trailer I decided on one axle because it let me use the axle wheel bearings as the pivot point.

With two axles the dump pivot would require more hardware including a pivot or hinge.