Tri Axle Trailers

cre10 · Sep 17, 2015

Anyone have any PERSONAL experience with them? Not looking to hear what you've heard from so and so.

Here's the deal, I need to haul a mini excavator that weighs 12k. With a 14k trailer weighing 4k I'm only at 10k gw.

I have heavier goosenecks, but I want a 16+6 tilt so it's shorter and easier to haul to certain spots than a 32' gooseneck. No one really makes a trailer like that with 8k axles aka 16k gvw. Most want to jump to 3 7k axles. I noticed PJ used to offer the 8k, but not longer do and only offer the 3 7's now.

I'm hesitant about a tri axle bc of rumors of tire scrub and wear, but I've never talked to someone that actually has one, it's all just rumors.

Bird · Sep 17, 2015

Well, I can only add to the rumors.:laughing: But one of my brothers has a 38 foot 3 axle fifth-wheel (RV) and he's had no end of tire problems.

George2615 · Sep 17, 2015

Here's 3 companies that make tandem axle 16K trailers. The last has 16',18', and longer deck sizes. Some tilt deck, some flat.

http://www.gntrailers.com/pdf/tilt_16k.pdf

Pintle Trailer 16k Tandem AxleÂ*|Â*Gatormade Trailers

Page 05-01: 16K BP Flat Deck Tandem Axle Low Boy Equipment Trailer

cre10 · Sep 17, 2015

Needs to be a tilt with 82 between the fenders since the tracks are 78. The GN trailer is expensive and in Oregon. Don't want a deckover either or I'll just haul the goosenecks.

RDrancher · Sep 17, 2015

Check out Towmaster. http://towmaster.com/trailers/drop-deck-tilt-trailers/t-14dt_t-16dt/

cre10 · Sep 17, 2015

RDrancher said:
Check out Towmaster. T-14DT / 16DT | Towmaster Trailers

Now that one looks promising.

cre10 · Sep 17, 2015

I had my eye on this one until I read their reviews and BBB complaints. Holy crap.... 17000 GVWR Deluxe Wood Floor Tilt Equipment Trailer - Kaufman Trailers

My dealer told me there's something fishy with 8k axles and to get the full 82" then you are overwidth for DOT and to shrink them up to be within width actually makes them weak/equal to a 7k.

He left a message with PJ to ask what the deal is with the 8k axles and why they aren't offering them anymore and why when they did offer them that the width between fenders dropped to 78.

herringchoker · Sep 17, 2015

Years ago I had a 9-ton triaxle that I hauled a bulldozer or a backhoe on (they each weighed about 6 ton, like your excavator), behind an F-750 dump truck. I can verify the rumours about tire scrubbing - also hard on the suspension bushings, etc. I figure that's why the dually tandems rule the roost nowadays.

farmer2009 · Sep 17, 2015

We had a custom hauler move a dozer for us once. He came in with a tri-axle. After seeing him turn around and thinking he was going to pop the beads on the tires we decided we'd never have one in a gooseneck.

Someone makes a deck over with raised wheel wells. I've seen them. It'll lower you a little. I know it's not a drop deck but might be worth a look. I've seen them just don't remember manufacturer.

George2615 · Sep 17, 2015

cre10 said:
Needs to be a tilt with 82 between the fenders since the tracks are 78. The GN trailer is expensive and in Oregon. Don't want a deckover either or I'll just haul the goosenecks.

The first one by Great Northern Trailer Works I posted is a BP 16K tilt deck with 84" between the fenders.

CJONE · Sep 17, 2015

Yes I owned one for 5 years or so. Hauled a D3 cat at just under 16k and a TCM loader at 15k. Lots of bunks of logs and loads of firewood. Still had the original tires on it when I sold it and they looked good. If the trailer is level loaded it did not scrub the tires too bad, not enough for me to worry about. Never had one come off the bead like others have stated. Would I buy one again? Yes. Mine was a semi drop with drive over wheel wells and a 3' dovetail. I had it built by Rick May in Ada OK I believe. The only thing I had to replace were the slide in ramps, the cat destroyed them with the first use. So I built a set of flip ups. Never another issue. We also used them for a oilfield trucking company I worked at as a mechanic/welder and did not see any more problems with them than the tandem trailers as long as you didn't let the d6's or 7's get ahold of them. Then we would see bent axles. They even bent a few of the dually axles, no big surprise the way they were treated. CJ

cre10 · Sep 17, 2015

George2615 said:
The first one by Great Northern Trailer Works I posted is a BP 16K tilt deck with 84" between the fenders.

Yes, but it would be around $9000 plus I have to get it from Oregon to the midwest.

A triple PJ is $7,000 and 2 miles away.

George2615 · Sep 17, 2015

cre10 said:
Yes, but it would be around $9000 plus I have to get it from Oregon to the midwest.

A triple PJ is $7,000 and 2 miles away.

Sorry, didn't know money and distance mattered. Figured you must have extra.
Most of us are just trying to help you spend your money. We're good at that.

RedNeckRacin · Sep 17, 2015

You are cutting yourself short on that 14k trailer. Don't forget if you have a GN you should have a Truck that can take a 25% pin weight and be fine. I haul my 5083E JD around on my 14.5k gn with no problems. It's right around 11,800lbs.

There is one poster on this board who swears by triaxles..*cough*DP*cough* and he is the only person I know who likes them. Then again I think they are mostly boat trailers so they aren't exactly hauling like most people haul equipment. If you read on any other forum like the heavyequipmentforums.com those guys absolutely hate triaxle trailers unless they are heavy hauling semi trailers. Personally, I'd look at some different manufacturers and get a trailer with 7k or 8k axles and not think twice about it. Now if you are playing the 26k shuffle that's a different story.

cre10 · Sep 17, 2015

RedNeckRacin said:
You are cutting yourself short on that 14k trailer. Don't forget if you have a GN you should have a Truck that can take a 25% pin weight and be fine. I haul my 5083E JD around on my 14.5k gn with no problems. It's right around 11,800lbs.

There is one poster on this board who swears by triaxles..*cough*DP*cough* and he is the only person I know who likes them. Then again I think they are mostly boat trailers so they aren't exactly hauling like most people haul equipment. If you read on any other forum like the heavyequipmentforums.com those guys absolutely hate triaxle trailers unless they are heavy hauling semi trailers. Personally, I'd look at some different manufacturers and get a trailer with 7k or 8k axles and not think twice about it. Now if you are playing the 26k shuffle that's a different story.

I want a tag trailer with tandem 8k's or triple 7k's. I do not want a 14k trailer.

I already have 5 goosenecks.

RedNeckRacin · Sep 17, 2015

I don't think you need a triaxle is what I'm saying. If you can carry the correct tongue weight a 14k trailer should be enough although it would be right at the edge. If you can get by with 8k axles, why would you want another axle unless the price was worth it?

4570Man · Sep 17, 2015

I have a friend who has a tri axel camper. It sucks at turning around. The last time he pulled it it left him sitting with the lug bolts sheared off 6am on Sunday.

Diamondpilot · Sep 17, 2015

cre10 said:
Anyone have any PERSONAL experience with them? Not looking to hear what you've heard from so and so. Here's the deal, I need to haul a mini excavator that weighs 12k. With a 14k trailer weighing 4k I'm only at 10k gw. I have heavier goosenecks, but I want a 16+6 tilt so it's shorter and easier to haul to certain spots than a 32' gooseneck. No one really makes a trailer like that with 8k axles aka 16k gvw. Most want to jump to 3 7k axles. I noticed PJ used to offer the 8k, but not longer do and only offer the 3 7's now. I'm hesitant about a tri axle bc of rumors of tire scrub and wear, but I've never talked to someone that actually has one, it's all just rumors.

I have had 3. All with either 5.2 or 6K axles. Not a single issue. My uncle has one with 8K axles that he loads to 25K all the time and no issues. Got my first one in 1999.

I would take a tri axle any day of the week over tandem duals. I had one and it was a pain to service.

Chris

tcartwri · Sep 17, 2015

I've put about 100K on a triple goose with 7K axles. You will replace your tires every 15K or so, wheel bearings will be worn out at the same interval. We broke several rims and one axle. If you're always pulling on the interstate it's not an issue. The leading and trailing axle take huge abuse over uneven terrain, often taking the entire weight of the trailer.

The only time you spec a triple is if you have no other options.

oliver1555 · Sep 17, 2015

Diamondpilot said:
I would take a tri axle any day of the week over tandem duals. I had one and it was a pain to service.

Chris

Duals are a pain, especially in mud. Tri-axles often eat tires and bearings, depending on use. You can get 17.5" wheels and tires with capacities from 4000# to over 6000# per tire @ 110 PSI. Many in the oilfield have them on their trailers with excellent results - singles on two axles with the same or more capacity of duals.