Got a nice deal on a tandem dual trailer

[Diamondpilot]

There are 2 designs of tandem duals - those with wheels inside and outside the frame rails, and another with dual wheels similar to a dually pickup. The outer/inner is an older design I think and is a real bear to work on.

Our company has a triple axle 15k enclosed car trailer and the tires take an awful beating on tight turns and parking. To add insult to injury its has 5200 lb axles with 15" tires for a lower profile, so you don't get the benefit of an E rated heavy ply tire.

This is the type I had.

As for E rated 15" tires, they are available in both Gladiator and Greenball. I run 225/75/15 10 ply load rang E on one of my tri axles and my tri axle.

I have pulled 3 and 4 axle trailers for 20 years. Even a few 5 axle units. Never been a issue with tight turns. I had no bearing, spindle, hub, wheel failures. Tire failures ar on par with single and tandem axle trailers and of the same type.

Chris

 

[cockeyedMFer]

Thanks for the tire recommendation. We're due to order a new set soon. The current set has scrubbed the sidewalls badly - might just be a cheaper brand or something. But hubs and brakes have held up well.

Edit -
Greenball Tow-Master - ST225/75D15(H78-15) - Sam's Club

are these E rated? I looked at several sites but didn't see a mention of load range. 2540lbs rating sounds like a D

 

[cockeyedMFer]

nevermind, there's apparently an 8 ply D rated greenball and a 10 ply E rated model.

Greenball Transmaster St Radial Tires ST225 75R15 10PLY | eBay

 

[CJONE]

Everybody is throwing rocks [so to speak] at the tandem dual and triple axle. But the one problem we always had is the tandems loosening up, if you did not retighten them every few weeks you would end up busting a set of lugs off. that was really the only problem we had. I prefer the tandem because of the quality of the axles [oil bath] and the heavy build but when it came to my personal trailer to haul 16k it was a tri axle. Never had any issues with it either. CJ

 

[dstacy]

You might want to check the date of manufacture on the tires. If they're over 5-6 years old they can blow or throw the tread off even if they look new. I've had both happen with my trailer when I was hauling hay. The tires were 6 years old and looked new, no cracking at all. I threw the tread off one tire with the first load and had a blowout on the second load. I didn't even know about the blowout until I got home and was unloading. The spare had never been mounted and the tread separated while it was on the rack.

Yep, I checked them all and found one that was a 2006 tire. So I replaced it and made the 2009 tire the spare. It didn't have a spare before. All in all I ended up buying 2 tires so now everything is 2010 or newer.

 

[HHR]

I don't think tandem duals would have helped the guy in this video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0f6cWi1kTUg&feature=youtube_gdata

 

[two_bit_score]

Yep, I checked them all and found one that was a 2006 tire. So I replaced it and made the 2009 tire the spare. It didn't have a spare before. All in all I ended up buying 2 tires so now everything is 2010 or newer.

You got a great deal. Congrats!