Single Axle Vs. Dual Axle for an 18 foot boat

[Nat's Dad]

Need some advice please. What are the Pros and Cons of two wheels vs. four wheels on an 18 foot boat w/ a 150? I never thought an 18 footer would need a dual axle, but since I have been looking at Champions and BassCats in 18 feet I see way more than I would have imagined with two axles. Also , I may need to move this by myself in the garage the last few feet as the fit in a 21 foot deep garage will be too close to back it in....and I "think" a dual axle may make this much harder. but not sure how much harder.
What options/upgrades are good to have on either a single or dual axle also?
Thanks

[EdDavisKY]

Dual axle will carry a load and fallow a lot better, will not wonder as much.
Dual axles are a bitch to move by hand, no if and or buts.

If you are going to have to move it any distance at all by hand get a single axle trailer.
This comes from my own experience of owning rigs with both types of trailers.

I have no problem with room now so all I will own is a dual axle.

Dual axle trailer can be moved but only in a straight line in my case, then again I am almost 62 and only weigh 165#.

Sounds to me like you would be way better off with a single axle rather than a dual axle trailer if you are going to be having to maneuver it by hand most of the way into a garage

[Nat's Dad]

Is there some kind of floor jack that would make it easier to move about? Besides following better,,,what else does two axles do for ya?

What is the normal price difference? What about options?

[oldsailor]

Have wondered about the logic of the factory in determining which boats get single axle or double axle trailers....fortunately, among the papers I received when I purchased my boat, was the original ChampioN order form for the 191 Tournament Edition. At the very bottom, under "Trailer" is a box to check for "Dual axle" as an option. Apparently for 18 & 19 foot models, a dual axle trailer is an option....

As my boat weighs "about" 1500 lbs empty, the motor weighs less than 500 lbs, and the trailer weight is stated as 700 lbs, the single 3500 lb capacity axle is sufficient. Moving it all around is much easier with the single axle.....

[Nat's Dad]

Dumb question,,,,,,,,,,,,,If you get a flat can you drive a few miles on three to get to an exit or is that no different than driving your car with one tire flat?

[clayshooter]

If you remove the flat tire and wheel you can drive it a long ways if needed!!
I hauled from Lake Ochechobe Fla. to northeast Ohio once when the wheel bearing ate the end of my axle,and no help could be found to fix it(Christmas Holiday week).

Ed

[Mike Adams]

I am not sure if the offer it on the Sabre or not, but Bass Cat does offer a pop axle trailer. This gives you a Tandem while towing and a single axle for when you have to move it around by hand or in tight spaces. It kind of gives you the best of both worlds.

[jerzia]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Nat’s Dad &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Is there some kind of floor jack that would make it easier to move about?</TD></TR></TABLE>
http://www.zendextool.com/gojak/gojak-5000.html

[Nat's Dad]

How long does it take to disengage the front axle on that BassCat pop axle? Is it something you can do in the dark without tools or does it require tools and ramps? I want to be able to tow to the driveway, back up to the garage and put her in by hand like a sardine. What am I looking at after a long, hot day fishing in the the driveway?

[Cable Dog]

" Is there some kind of floor jack that would make it easier to move about ?

As a matter of fact, there is.

http://www.harborfreight.com/c...7510

[Mike Adams]

I have no clue, I don't have one, that's one of the reasons that I am looking at a Bass Cat. I would post over on the Bass Cat Forums about that.

[Superpro]

Pros would be that a tandem axle will carry more load, if you get a flat or damage a bearing, you can run on 3 wheels, if you get a blowout while driving @ 70mph, you will be glad, cons would be moving the trailer by hand, buying 4 tires vs 2, more $$$. I would go with the tandem myself after having both setups

[LarryR.]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Superpro &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Pros would be that a tandem axle, if you get a flat or damage a bearing, you can run on 3 wheels,</TD></TR></TABLE>

Tandem axle you have twice the chances of a flat tire and or bearing/seal failure.

Tandem trailer= 4 tires, 4 hubs with bearing and seals, and some have 4 sets of brakes.

Single axle trailer maintenace cost lower.