tri-axle versus duals

scoutcub · Jun 11, 2009

Hello all -
Looking to upgrade my 22' Loadmax trailer to a 30' Loadmax. I was set on triple 7K axles, but some research indicates people like the duals better? Or was this just a few random opinions....looking for some input. Hauling multiple compacts, and eventually small dozers/various equipment.

Newblue · Jun 11, 2009

I went from a tri-axle pintle to a double axle gooseneck. The tri-axle would scrub the tires pretty bad but my trailer had the axles spaced far apart. Went from this

To this:

firemanpat2910 · Jun 11, 2009

I have a 20 foot tag along with triples and I hate it. Tires dont pivot right, hardest trailer to back up I have ever used, tires get rolled off the rims mainly on the farthest back axle. It rides terrible when empty maybe too many tires bouncing? I havent pulled mine in over a year, I will use every other trailer I can before that one.

Mike120 · Jun 11, 2009

I've got a 7-horse trailer with 3 axles. It eats tires. When I replace it, I'll go for a two axle version.

LBrown59 · Jun 11, 2009

scoutcub said:
Hello all -
Looking to upgrade my 22' Loadmax trailer to a 30' Loadmax. I was set on triple 7K axles, but some research indicates people like the duals better?
*Or was this just a few random opinions....looking for some input. Hauling multiple compacts, and eventually small dozers/various equipment.

No.----

JohnDeere4300 · Jun 11, 2009

I have seen people have to jackknife a triple-axle trailer in a tight parking lot or other tight places...and be loaded with a dozer and a tire would come off.

Most of the tires that I've seen come off was on the front-axle....I have seen tires come off tri-axle camper's at a campground also.

I have also seen the front tire come off the rim on a double-axle trailer....And that depends on how heavy the trailer is loaded, and if you have to jackknife the trailer around real hard....and what (ply) tire it is.

*HOW DID THIS PAGE GET SO BIG?

LBrown59 · Jun 11, 2009

johndeere4300 said:
I

*HOW DID THIS PAGE GET SO BIG?

Pictures posted weren't properly resized.

WantedWolf · Jun 11, 2009

yep tandem duals are the way to go, same old story of tires falling off on slow tight turns loaded. I dont know why they are so popular, 3-7000# axels would equal 21000# , my T. duals are rated 25900 w 12k axels.

Is a 3rd 7k axel generally cheaper then a beefier pair (2)
I guess you get an extra 2 tires with the duals,
Does anyone make a dual wheel Tridem?

QRTRHRS · Jun 11, 2009

WantedWolf said:
Does anyone make a dual wheel Tridem?

By using the word Tridem, I am assuming that you mean a three axle dually setup?

You are talking really heavy duty in that case. Usually, the third axle would be an air lift.

Anyway, to further add to what has been said here, even with a tandem single axle trailer, you still need to plan ahead, more so when loaded to avoid unnecessary tire and axle componant wear. And, a gooseneck is able to jack harder than a bumper pull so you are able to put more stress on things. With a tandem dually, you can exert a lot of stress on the walking beam between the two axles.

Bottom line, tandem axles are better than triples but you need to avoid putting your equipment in tight situations. What you can do for an unusual situation is lay down some plywood with a lubricant such as liquid detergent and spin the axles on that. Works well on blacktop or concrete also.

By the way, if you have ever seen some truck driver spinning the trailer around so that the trailer wheels are going backwards, you can figure that it is someone elses equipment.

powerstroke444e · Jun 11, 2009

Same story here I had a tri axle gooseneck & handled like crap and had to have a pit crew with me any time I went some where. I built a 30' with 2 8k dexter's and 14ply tires rated @ 4,000+ each with the heavier rims, it handles better and I haul more on this trailer than the other because it handles and stops better. The trailer is a little over built as it wieghts like 7,000lbs empty and it a little tounge heavy which helps the handling big loads.

I would never go back to a tri axle and if I went with dually I would go with 12k disc brake dexters as they will stop you on a dime.

Renze · Jun 12, 2009

Same thing from Holland:

At my previous employer we used to build 5th wheel trailers. Some wanted a low floor height so we used triple 1800kg (3968 lbs) torsion axles on small 13 or 14 inch wheels. Very often they twisted the tubeless tire off the rim, or bent a torsion swing arm against a kerb stone, which caused even more tire wear.

With 2 axle duals on 8 ply 195/65R16 tires, we never had problems. With the slightly higher 205/65 R17.5 commercial truck tires, even those that turned all day on narrow paved yards wouldnt need new tires in a couple of years.
Off course a tandem dually comes with rigid axles and leaf springs, which is much more durable than independent torsion arms.

triple torsion axle on light duty tires is a cheap choice. tandem dually on (light) commerical tires, will have lower overall running costs, unless you use the trailer so little that the tires age more than they wear from use.

davo727 · Jun 14, 2009

Isnt it mostly a money deal- Almost double the cost for the pair of 10K axles and wheels, and tires as opposed to the 3 axle -7K setup?

wushaw · Jun 14, 2009

davo727 said:
Isnt it mostly a money deal- Almost double the cost for the pair of 10K axles and wheels, and tires as opposed to the 3 axle -7K setup?

I would agree with cost also.

Renze · Jun 14, 2009

wushaw said:
I would agree with cost also.

purchase cost, but long term annual cost is way lower with HD tandem dually....

JoelD · Jun 14, 2009

I have a tri-axle deck over (in avitar). I am looking to go tandem axle. There is a bunch of scrub and turning sharp. Also, when unloaded the trailer is almost perfectly neutral, therefore, handfull when pulling empty down the highway.

Would be interested to know advantages of tri over dual other than weight capacity with tires and all being equal.

I'll be looking to go dual.

Joel

farmboy12 · Jun 14, 2009

WantedWolf said:
yep tandem duals are the way to go, same old story of tires falling off on slow tight turns loaded. I dont know why they are so popular, 3-7000# axels would equal 21000# , my T. duals are rated 25900 w 12k axels.

Is a 3rd 7k axel generally cheaper then a beefier pair (2)
I guess you get an extra 2 tires with the duals,
Does anyone make a dual wheel Tridem?

If you mean trie axle dually, then yes, they do. Even with smaller 10k axles. I've seen them, 35+5+5 with 3 dually axles. And they are gooseneck. E-W Trailers in Oklahoma makes them, they list a lot on eBay.

Also, the big ones with air lift often are found on large over 50 ton lowboy trailers for road tractors.

Kyle

scoutcub · Jun 15, 2009

Wow -

Looks like overwhelming response is duals....and that's what I will switch my spec to!
To answer a few responses, yes, I know Loadmax does offer triple 10K dual axles. The pushers are designed for the BIG equipment trailers and trucks as Kyle mentioned.
Pricewise, the duals are more expensive...but not double the cost, unless davo+ were talking about the cost of axles only. From my limited
research thus far, looks like an additional 1K for the same 30' trailer for duals.
Hey NewBlue - Where'd you get that sweet deuce-and-a-half? I've got LOTS of time behind the wheel of those back in the Corps. Assuming you did a full restore? Sure looks nice and brings back memories. Very nice NH and Dodge as well, even though I'm a Cub and Ford guy!

Thanks to all for the great input, it's been extremely helpful.
Anyone interested in a 2005 14K Load Max 18'/4' with gate?

Newblue · Jun 15, 2009

Thanks, I got the Deuce about 20 miles South of Louisville. The guy I bought it from painted it CARC camo from the light brown it was before. The only thing I have done to it was to replace the axle seals and repack the bearings. Oh, and I also put new canvas seat covers on it. I painted the triaxle to match the Deuce but the wife said it had to go before I bought the gooseneck. Now the Deuce is trailerless but it will survive!

Mike