Why virtually no single axle 5,000 lb GVWR cargo trailers

newbury · May 9, 2014

I've been looking for a cargo trailer, 6' by 12' or 14' and can't find one on the web that uses 5,000 lb axle. I called the local "Custom" trailer shop and they only do 3,500 lb axles, single or dual.

Is there some law I don't know about?

I've a vehicle w/ a 5K tow rating.
Virginia has been written about on TBN as having the police stop and check the axles etc. to determine if you are pulling too much, so getting a tandem derated to 5K lbs would not work well in this case.

/edit - it seems like many places will swap out two 3,500 lb axle for two 5,200 lb axles for ~ $1,500.

CalG · May 9, 2014

newbury said:
I've been looking for a cargo trailer, 6' by 12' or 14' and can't find one on the web that uses 5,000 lb axle. I called the local "Custom" trailer shop and they only do 3,500 lb axles, single or dual.

Is there some law I don't know about?

I've a vehicle w/ a 5K tow rating.
Virginia has been written about on TBN as having the police stop and check the axles etc. to determine if you are pulling too much, so getting a tandem derated to 5K lbs would not work well in this case.

/edit - it seems like many places will swap out two 3,500 lb axle for two 5,200 lb axles for ~ $1,500.

Tires!

A blow out would put a lot of material sideways ....

jejeosborne · May 9, 2014

Find a heavy duty single axle and do an axle swap. Chances are a single 3500 wouldn't have brakes so that would be a good time to just buy a 5000 lb axle with brakes and new springs. Axles and springs are pretty inexpensive.

aczlan · May 9, 2014

The only legal limit I know of is that over 3k GVWR you need brakes on one or more axles in most states.
I would prefer a larger single axle trailer vs a 2 axle one. Easier to turn, tires will be a little less (3/4 the price for 2 heavier tires vs 4 lighter ones?)

Aaron Z

ultrarunner · May 9, 2014

I've posted before about Air-Tow trailers... trailers with a drop deck for easy loading.

Airtow Trailers, Ground-level Loading / Full Air Suspension, Utility Model Specs - Airtow Trailers

They list several with payload of 5,000 and higher.

MaJYk · May 9, 2014

Single axle 5k are out there. Probably have hard time finding a used one.
I know for sure PJ and CornPro make them. I was going to order a PJ, but the crazy lead time led me to buy a CornPro off a local lot. 6.5'x12'
I didn't necessarily need the extra capacity, but wanted to have brakes for pulling my UTV with the jeep.

Diamondpilot · May 9, 2014

I personally would not pull a single at highway speeds that had more than a 3500# axle. Any bigger and a blow out is very dangerous.

Chris

RDrancher · May 9, 2014

Search "single axle equipment trailers". You'll find a bunch available, usually the tilt type. They're very common for hauling vibratory rollers and asphalt equipment. I've hauled on quite a few with 6k capacity. Forget LT tires though. G-rated tires in 7.50-16" radial are your friend.

Edited to add: Sorry, just noticed that you said "cargo." My bad.

George2615 · May 9, 2014

I think they passed a law quite a few years ago (at least in NY) that stated trailer dealers that sold trailers rated over 3K had to have a trailer mechanic with an inspectors license and be a state licensed inspection station. A lot of dealers here that were selling double axle trailers stopped selling them so they didn't have to hire mechanics with inspectors licenses or become a state inspection station. There still are companies that do have HD single axle trailers for equipment such as small paving rollers etc. Personally, if I'm going to haul something over 3K I prefer 2 or more axles on the trailer.

handirifle · May 11, 2014

Plus wouldn't a double axle handle better? I know the RV's singles and doubles I've towed, the doubles always towed better.

ultrarunner · May 11, 2014

I own 7 trailers of which 5 are single axle.

The single axles can be moved around the yard by hand and the tires last forever...

Never ever had a flat with a single axle... can't say the same for the double axle.

Each has it's place.

Diamondpilot · May 11, 2014

ultrarunner said:
I own 7 trailers of which 5 are single axle.

The single axles can be moved around the yard by hand and the tires last forever...

Never ever had a flat with a single axle... can't say the same for the double axle.

Each has it's place.

Having a flat has absolutely nothing to do with the number of axles. It comes down to tire maintenance and luck.

Chris

ultrarunner · May 11, 2014

Tires on dual or multi-axle trailers are subject to tremendous sidewall force that doesn't exist with single axle trailers.

Here is a quick Bridgestone tire link regarding this...

Bridgestone Commercial Truck Tires

I've seen a tri-axle trailer pop a tire right off the rim when the driver was trying to negotiate one of the hairpin turns on the county road leading up to the ranch... a family friend had the towing concession for years and said loaded multi-axle trailers loosing a tire occur often.

With my own enclosed car hauler I regularly torque the tires (For lack of a better word) getting it backed into place where I park it...

Single Axle tires are never subjected to this...

If anyone wants to test this for themselves... just see how easy it is to pivot a single axle by hand vs a double which really can't be done...

Air-Tow sells both single and double axle trailers with the same gross trailer weight rating...

Diamondpilot · May 11, 2014

ultrarunner said:
Tires on dual or multi-axle trailers are subject to tremendous sidewall force that doesn't exist with single axle trailers.

Here is a quick Bridgestone tire link regarding this...

Bridgestone Commercial Truck Tires

I've seen a tri-axle trailer pop a tire right off the rim when the driver was trying to negotiate one of the hairpin turns on the county road leading up to the ranch... a family friend had the towing concession for years and said loaded multi-axle trailers loosing a tire occur often.

With my own enclosed car hauler I regularly torque the tires (For lack of a better word) getting it backed into place where I park it...

Single Axle tires are never subjected to this...

If anyone wants to test this for themselves... just see how easy it is to pivot a single axle by hand vs a double which really can't be done...

Air-Tow sells both single and double axle trailers with the same gross trailer weight rating...

I agree towing a single will never put side forces on tires that tandem, tri, and quad axle trailers like we tow do but in 20 years of pulling about 10,000 miles per year, and making some turns on boat ramps and in boat yards that were hair pen I have never popped a tire.

Chris

HHR · May 11, 2014

I have seen equipment, tilt deck and dump trailers with a single 6,000 pound axle. I've never seen an enclosed cargo trailer with an axle rating over 3,500 pounds. I'm sure you could special order one.

Capt Dan · May 11, 2014

Just a thought but most of the 5000 lb single axle trailers I've seen tend to be designed for a specific piece of equipment. They have had stops/chocks to load the equipment the same way each time. Balance the weight properly. It might be difficult to get proper tongue weight when loading if not experienced.

I did see a really nicely equipped name brand 14 single 5000 lb. axle flatbed a few years ago listed at a dealer. Orange and every option available. I would have liked to own it for a Kubota BX but didn't think I wanted it for my old Kubota B's. Trailer would have looked way better than either tractor I have. It had everything I wanted at the time already on it and would have been nice for someone that makes money with there tractor.

Dan

sacmarata · May 13, 2014

I refuse to buy new and figured I could find a used 10,000lb+ bumper pull tandem with 2 brakes pretty easy. WRONG! I looked for over a month and all I could find was trailers with one brake and 3,500lb axles. Most had load range C tires. I finally foud an 18' jewel with 7,000lb axles for $2,000 that met all my needs but it took a LOT of searching.
I bet finding a single with anything more than 3,500lbs is nearly impossible, and I agree that I wouldn't wanna pull anything heavy on single axles for fear of a blowout.

Capt Dan · May 13, 2014

Why aren't there more 10,000# trailers? What you described is what I want in 20 foot length.

This trailer 20 foot 10,000# is what I think I want. A PJ Trailer Buggy hauler (at the price of the first one I saw). Not sure of options.
Dan

PJ Trailers - 5" Channel Buggy Hauler (B5)

sacmarata · May 13, 2014

Capt. Dan said:
Why aren't there more 10,000# trailers? What you described is what I want in 20 foot length.

This trailer 20 foot 10,000# is what I think I want. A PJ Trailer Buggy hauler (at the price of the first one I saw). Not sure of options.
Dan

PJ Trailers - 5" Channel Buggy Hauler (B5)

I wanted 20' but settled for 18'. I miss that 2' badly and have overhang with both my rotary mowers. I gave up to be honest.

ultrarunner · May 13, 2014

When I built my dump trailer I decided on one axle because it let me use the axle wheel bearings as the pivot point.

With two axles the dump pivot would require more hardware including a pivot or hinge.