Single vs. tandem axle- pros and cons

[WannaBeFishn]

I'm starting to look for a new (used) bass boat. I've seen the same boat (18.5') listed on single axle trailer as well as tandem axle trailers. What are the pros and cons of either?

I would be towing with a 1/2 ton pickup rated at 5000#, so I'm pretty sure I'm within the weight limits for an 18 or 19 foot boat.

Thanks

[CatFan]

A tandem tows smoother. The axles "walk" over bumps. The tandem can be hauled after a bearing failure or blowout by strapping up the axle with the bad wheel.

Single axle is a little easier to maneuver in tight spaces, and can be turned by hand to get it in a garage.

[mgrice1981]

I prefer a single axle to a dual. To me a dual axle is more for towing cross country alot. On a single axle you have less brakes, bearings, tires to worry about. A dual axle does tow smoother, but you can have twice the trouble as far as parts to worry about failing. IMO.

[cscoios]

I've had both and will never buy a boat again thats single axle. The tandem is so much smoother and fault tolerant if you were to blow a tire on one side; which I've done a couple times. Actually tire flats from screws on the ramps at the lake.

If you tow very little and short distance, than a single axle will suffice. If you do tournament fishing, fish several days a week, and travel to various lakes, you'll appreciate the tandem axle.

[bassinguy]

i love my tandem

[Toypuller]

Never have another single axle trailer. Tandems sway less, bounce less and take potholes way better..

[06Stratos201PXLDC]

Never again will i own a single if i can get a Tandem... night and day difference... much smoother less jolt to boat and truck .. more stable.. less sway.. better braking..

[Al from Canada]

I had my tandem trailer w/TR21 Triton come off the Explorer at 65 mph in heavy traffic and heavy rain. (Long story). I think the fact that we had a tandem had a lot to do with me being able to control it somewhat and get the speed down and off the road (before the 3 semis behind us ran over us). I think the outcome would have been totally different had it been a single axle trailer.

[adchunts]

I have a tandem trailer under my new Bass Cat Sabre (18').

Won't go back to a single axle trailer. I've pulled both single and tandem axle trailers (boat and utility) all over the country. Vastly prefer the tandems. They pull better, don't beat up the tow vehicle as bad as a single, and overall make the whole trip much easier.

Yeah, you have a couple more tires to replace, and a couple more bearings to service.........but it's a trade-off I willingly will make...............

[BBG Marine Electronics]

Tandem is a little tougher to get it hooked up, but I would prefer it to a single axle. On a long trip you have piece of mind that even if a tire blows you won't loose control and as someone said, you can strap an axle up if a bearing goes out and you can't fix it along the road.

[SwatDawg]

Tandom all the way

[SoonerFan]

I can sure see the advantage of a tandem on a larger boat but I sure do appreciate how easy my single axle is on my 18 1/2 foot Nitro. I park in the garage. I can push the boat from one side to the other to get around and behind the boat. When I had to have some plumbing work done last week the plumber was able to just push the boat forward to get into the hot water tank closet. When I hitch up all I have to do is get my pickup somewhere in the vicinity and I move the boat over to the hitch ball. I really don't feel any problems when towing either... it just follows along. I've never had a flat or bearing failure (knock wood) . I might have a different opinion if something like that happened.

[colreb2000]

I've pulled both......I love the tandem.