Single vs Dual axle trailer?

[ArtTricks]

I'm looking to buy a 19' Stratos, some of them come with a single axle trailer wile some others come with dual axles... what is the best and why? Pros and cons?

Thans!

[Locknload59]

I had a single axle on my prior boat and the main advantages are it is much easier to move around and obviously less maintenance since you only have to buy 2 tires. The dual axle rides better and does not bounce around as much. The downside of the dual axle, it is very difficult to move it around.

[Skeeterbait]

Get a good estimate of the total weight of the boat fully loaded and divide by 2. If that is 80% of the max load on the side of the tire then you probably should go to tandem. The down side is tandem is harder to maneuver and impossible to maneuver by hand without using tire jack dollys to raise two tires off the ground. Tandem costs more to buy and to keep tires on it.

[ArtTricks]

ok thanks guys!

[John Jackson]

Once you tow with a dual, you probably won't go back to a single. Even the tow vehicle is not jerked around nearly as much.

[jc2bg]

Somebody has to mention, get a flat (or just a leaker) with a dual, you still can pull on to a safe place to change tire. Since I pull a fair amount on interstates, I hope to always have a dual.

[SoonerFan]

I wouldn't want a single axle with 14" load range C tires...especially with a 19 footer. Four tires sharing the load is always much safer. You could do what I did and upgrade to 15" load range D tires. That will give you a pretty fair cushion of max load vs. actual load. The tandem axle is a pain to move around in the garage and you have to hit the trailer tongue precisely....with the single all you need to do is get the hitch ball somewhere near the trailer and you can move the trailer to the hitch.

[KutTail71]

As far as maneuvering a dual axle it just takes practice. I went from a boat with a single to a boat with dual and like the dual much better. Just had to get used the dual axle.

[20_lb_sack]

The only thing I don't like about my dual is getting it into the garage, with only a few inches on each side of the doorway. Neither of my last two garages have allowed a straight shot at backing in.

[MN1965]

Somebody has to mention, get a flat (or just a leaker) with a dual, you still can pull on to a safe place to change tire. Since I pull a fair amount on interstates, I hope to always have a dual.

Absolutely agree. The extra axle turns a blown tire into a very manageable event compared to the damage that can occur when a single blows.

[bassnpro1]

A dual doesn't allow the tire to drop into potholes either!

[shrapnel]

A dual doesn't allow the tire to drop into potholes either!

Lol, yes it does. You just don't feel it as much as with a single axle.

[JimDee]

Tandem trailers generally have better re-sale value.

[Dh0ckey11]

Dual is way better. The maintenance is worth the benefits in ride, towing, and safety.

[okhawg]

Absolutely agree. The extra axle turns a blown tire into a very manageable event compared to the damage that can occur when a single blows.

One thing you can do with a dual in an emergency is strap a problem wheel up and limp home on 3 tires. I had to do this once when we had our second flat on a road trip, so no spare, and once when a spring broke. Jack the problem up as high as you can, take a ratchet strap and wrap around the axle and tie to the frame somewhere.

[bassnpro1]

Lol, yes it does. You just don't feel it as much as with a single axle.

ok

[LipJerker]

One negative of a tandem is on toll roads. Twice the cost of a tandem trailer over a single axle. $18 round trip, VS $9 with a single axle. Go figure

[Bass newb]

Somebody has to mention, get a flat (or just a leaker) with a dual, you still can pull on to a safe place to change tire. Since I pull a fair amount on interstates, I hope to always have a dual.

That didn't work on my dual axle trailer. One goes flat that rim is on the concrete. The suspension is dependent on both tires being on the road. If one tire ain't, you're in bad shape either way.

[Lea]

Saw a guy, when I was at at C&O Marine, bring his rig in with the rear left wheel off the boat entirely. He had no problem with it. So, I'm guessing if you get a flat, just take the entire wheel off til you can get it fixed.

Kuttail..maueuvering a dual by hand, like in a garage, etc, is what the guys are talking about.

[Dando]

That didn't work on my dual axle trailer. One goes flat that rim is on the concrete. The suspension is dependent on both tires being on the road. If one tire ain't, you're in bad shape either way.

On a tandem axle trailer with leaf springs, You have to take both wheels off of one axle.
On a tandem axle trailer with torsion suspension, You just remove the flat tire and continue on.