Dual Axle or Single?

[Soundguy]

yep.. everything about that post is why I like a tandem bette rthan a single.

tandem stops the teeter totter when you have a load that's hard to ballance on a single axle trailer too..

My experience with single axle vs tandem axle is that the tandems pull better. Meaning less sway. They also follow the terrain better with an equalizer between the springs and they tend to drag less on steep driveway exits because the rear axle is closer the the rear of the trailer and the front axle is closer to the hitch, than on a single of the same length. They also have more brakes and that's good in the mountains. Some tandem trailers have brakes on only one axle, but I always put them on both.

Having extra capacity is a good thing because sooner or later you'll want to put something really heavy on it.

I guess the down side is more weight and more maintenance costs for a tandem, but to me it's worth it for anything more that a simple utility trailer.

I don't have any dual wheel single axle trailers, so I can't compare that style, but the advantages I mentioned for the tandem should still apply.

 

[Beltzington]

I just installed a B&W Gooseneck hitch on my 2500HD. I have no experiance towing either a 5th wheel or gooseneck. I assumed trailer loading would not be as critical as with a BP but based on your comments maybe I am wrong?

 

[Soundguy]

it's much easier to get a workable load on a gn or 5thwhl.. you have a lil more play with truck load vs the precise bumper pull loading that if not done, gives you the fishtails.

I HATE going BP now that I have a GN and 5th whel adapter..

 

[Raspy]

The trailer will turn on its axis without scrubbing the tires. Tandems scrub the tires, in the worse case, scrubbing the tires off the rims.

This is not a problem for highway trailers unless the tires are under rated or under inflated.

I have a 48' enclosed fifth wheel trailer with triple axles. It scrubs alright, but with load range E tires and proper inflation, even an 18K pound GVW is no problem. It's probably the resistance to scrubbing that makes tandems follow so well.

A single axle with single tires squirms more too. Not a full on fish tail, but just squirming. I don't like to think they are on the edge of instability all the time and it's unsettling to see the trailer busier than it should be. I test all loads on all trailers with a little back and forth on the wheel to see how stable the trailer is, how fast it settles back down and behaves.

 

[Gale Hawkins]

One plus of a dual single axle that I see is with tilt equipment trailers to make the incline less steep.

 

[Iplayfarmer]

Reason I ask is here is a possible new project. I can use the crane for lifting pre-assymbled framing. Never seen a 9k trailer with a single axle so I thought I would run it by the forum. Appreciate your comments.

24' Gooseneck Trailer

Once you mention it's a gooseneck, my opinions change slightly.

I've had them all... single axle bumper pulls, single axle goosenecks, and double axle of both. I much prefer a dual axle trailer for a bumper pull. It feels more stable, and it seems easier to distribute the load.

That being said, I love my single axle gooseneck horse trailer. Weight distribution is not as critical with a gooseneck as with a bumper pull trailer. And with a gooseneck you have a lot more maneuverability in tight spots. The single axle ads to this maneuverability as you can pivot on the axle without scrubbing tires.