Straight axle vs. drop axle?

[JDgreen227]

I have a utility trailer (2990 lb GVW) with a straight axle, no brakes, and was skipping over a multi-state sales newspaper where the builder/seller of utility trailers was claiming "we use drop axles, no straight axles" like the drop axles he used were more costly than a straight axle.

Might be a stupid question, but for a utility trailer like mine, would there be any advantage to having a drop axle over a straight axle? Thanks.

 

[BobRip]

The trailer bed is lower on a drop axle. This makes loading and unloading easier. You loose ground clearance though.

 

[JDgreen227]

The trailer bed is lower on a drop axle. This makes loading and unloading easier. You loose ground clearance though.

I figured out the ground clearance/bed height issue before I purchased but was wondering if there was another plus factor the drop axles would give....thanks.

 

[BobRip]

I figured out the ground clearance/bed height issue before I purchased but was wondering if there was another plus factor the drop axles would give....thanks.

There may be others. I just don't know.

 

[ultrarunner]

Some will say the trailer is more stable with a lower center of gravity...

I have drop and straight utility trailers... there is a noticeable deck height difference.

I use the drop axle most of the time, the lower deck height let me use the tailgate as a ramp for moving things like refrigerators or I can back up to a city curb and drive my riding mower right in... no ramps required.

Now, my home made dump trailer has a straight axle and it benefits my dump design by being higher up, there is more room or travel for dumping when I raise the bed

Drop axles are generally forged as far as the drop goes because it has to be made stronger... I have seen one or two drop axles with the spindle bent from too much weight of going over a pothole loaded.

 

[JDgreen227]

Some will say the trailer is more stable with a lower center of gravity...

I have drop and straight utility trailers... there is a noticeable deck height difference.

I use the drop axle most of the time, the lower deck height let me use the tailgate as a ramp for moving things like refrigerators or I can back up to a city curb and drive my riding mower right in... no ramps required.

Now, my home made dump trailer has a straight axle and it benefits my dump design by being higher up, there is more room or travel for dumping when I raise the bed

Drop axles are generally forged as far as the drop goes because it has to be made stronger... I have seen one or two drop axles with the spindle bent from too much weight of going over a pothole loaded.

Thanks for your input, my trailer has a five foot long rear ramp gate so deck height isn't an issue. I would rather have ground clearance instead of a lower deck height.

 

[Diamondpilot]

As said before ramp angle is the main advantage. They are very common on boat trailers because it allows the trailer to get in deeper while keeping the tow vehicle farther away from the water.

Chris

 

[newt92]

I have drop axles on my 16' flatbed trailer. Ordered it like that, and I built a 3' gate for it. Lower deck height with only a 3' tall gate = less wind drag too. Yea, it has less ground clearance, but I love the trailer.

 

[Iplayfarmer]

I have drop axles on my 16' flatbed trailer. Ordered it like that, and I built a 3' gate for it. Lower deck height with only a 3' tall gate = less wind drag too. Yea, it has less ground clearance, but I love the trailer.

I'm with you on the ground clearance vs. load height. I like my trailer LOW. I do scrape the tail at times and occasionally the tongue, but I love it when I can load my tractor at a 10 degree loading angle.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I like my low trailer also but it does not have drop axles. Its deck height is only 14" and its a 18'x82" 7,000# trailer. No dove tail or gate, just slide in ramps from the rear. Very easy to use and load. Only weighs 1,250# empty so it has a 5,750# payload. Perfect trailer for me.

My last trailer was a 25+5 GN Deckover 25,000# unit. Hated it. Hated the GN for the loss of my truck bed. Hated the deckover for its load height and ramp angle. Hated the Dove Tail for its loss of flat floor space. Only liked its heavy duty load capacity but for no more than I used it I can pay someone to move my heavy stuff for a $100 or so. The darn thing weighed 5,800# and some change empty.

Chris

 

[Iplayfarmer]

I like my low trailer also but it does not have drop axles. Its deck height is only 14" and its a 18'x82" 7,000# trailer. No dove tail or gate, just slide in ramps from the rear. Very easy to use and load. Only weighs 1,250# empty so it has a 5,750# payload. Perfect trailer for me.

My last trailer was a 25+5 GN Deckover 25,000# unit. Hated it. Hated the GN for the loss of my truck bed. Hated the deckover for its load height and ramp angle. Hated the Dove Tail for its loss of flat floor space. Only liked its heavy duty load capacity but for no more than I used it I can pay someone to move my heavy stuff for a $100 or so. The darn thing weighed 5,800# and some change empty.

Chris

Tare weight is another good point you make. This may or may not have anything to do with the axles, but it's important to consider when buying or building a trailer. I found mine weighs 1760. Having over 5K pounds of payload is a big plus.

 

[deepNdirt]

many of the axle's I've seen only have a drop of approx 6-8 inches which doesn't seem like much, although to some it might make the deference in pulling the trailer with a tractor or load through a shop door opening, etc,etc,
and I would think being lower would help cut down on wind shear,

 

[Iplayfarmer]

many of the axle's I've seen only have a drop of approx 6-8 inches which doesn't seem like much, although to some it might make the deference in pulling the trailer with a tractor or load through a shop door opening, etc,etc,
and I would think being lower would help cut down on wind shear,

Where 6-8 inches makes a big difference is in load angle. If you raise a deck from 12" to 18" with 4 foot ramps it takes your load angle from 14 degrees to 20 degrees.

 

[newt92]

Here are some pictures of the two trailers I have. 16' with drop and 20' with strait. Both 3,500 lb axles, and both the same tires and same size.

In front is the 16' w/ 3' gate made of 1 1/2 tubing. Behind is the 20' w/ 4' gate made of 2" tubing. Both trailers sitting on level ground and sitting level (via a level).

Now, where I see the biggest advantage is the lighter weight of a 3' gate vs. 4' gate, and second the height of the 3' gate while traveling. With my mowers, the mowers cover up most all the wind drag.

Now some measurements..

Trailer deck height

16' 18"
20' 22"

Top of gate to the ground when up.
16' 50"
20' 67"

Ground clearance at the tail
16' 8 1/2"
20' 11 3/4"

These measurements are with a empty trailers ( well the 997 on the front of the 20' but jacked up)

 

[JDgreen227]

Here are some pictures of the two trailers I have. 16' with drop and 20' with strait. Both 3,500 lb axles, and both the same tires and same size.

In front is the 16' w/ 3' gate made of 1 1/2 tubing. Behind is the 20' w/ 4' gate made of 2" tubing. Both trailers sitting on level ground and sitting level (via a level).

Now, where I see the biggest advantage is the lighter weight of a 3' gate vs. 4' gate, and second the height of the 3' gate while traveling. With my mowers, the mowers cover up most all the wind drag.

Now some measurements..

Trailer deck height

16' 18"
20' 22"

Top of gate to the ground when up.
16' 50"
20' 67"

Ground clearance at the tail
16' 8 1/2"
20' 11 3/4"

These measurements are with a empty trailers ( well the 997 on the front of the 20' but jacked up)

VERY informative and illustrative post....well done....:thumbsup:

 

[Mahindra One]

Diamonpilot, curious as to the make of your trailer. Is it alum or steel? I have the same size Big Tex and it weighs over 2200!

 

[Diamondpilot]

Diamonpilot, curious as to the make of your trailer. Is it alum or steel? I have the same size Big Tex and it weighs over 2200!

Mine is a Jerry James 18'x82". Its a 2004 model. It has 205/75/15. That weight was not with the spare tire mounted or the winch and tool box on the tongue.

Its tough as can be. Hauled 2 Pontiac's 35 miles each Friday for a friends son. Its hauled many of cars 1000's of miles. Has also had a Suburban on it, a GMC 1/2 ton, a Dodge 1/2 ton, Trail Blazer, Durango, and numerous tractors. Even a boat.

http://www.jerryjamestrailersinc.com/index.htm

Chris

 

[TimS]

Newt, can you please indicate the manufacturer of your trailers?

I am looking for a trailer to carry my JD455 and 40 Loader combo, and I am having trouble finding a company that has exactly what I'm looking for - a low deck is one factor. Thanks!

Tim

 

[newt92]

Newt, can you please indicate the manufacturer of your trailers?

I am looking for a trailer to carry my JD455 and 40 Loader combo, and I am having trouble finding a company that has exactly what I'm looking for - a low deck is one factor. Thanks!

Tim

The 16' I ordered at the manufacture down in Sikeston Missouri. C & H Trailers.
The 20' different manufacture but still in Sikeston. (now dont laugh at me here) Wanda's Trailers.

 

[Diamondpilot]

The 16' I ordered at the manufacture down in Sikeston Missouri. C & H Trailers.
The 20' different manufacture but still in Sikeston. (now dont laugh at me here) Wanda's Trailers.

I have done business with a couple of manufactures in Sikeston. Good people down that way. I buy most of our stuff from Jerry James Trailers.

Jerry James Tandems

Chris