tandem vs triple axel trailer
 

What are the plus' s and minus's of these two trailer set ups? Does a triple axle have problems backing up into tight turns?

Yes in tight quarters the triple axle is a little tougher to manuever.

I personally prefer a triple axle. I think they tow nicer, better balanced, and like being able to strap an axle up and keep on going to the nearest repair facility should you lose a bearing or hub.

I agree the triple axle is superior to a tandem when pulling down the road. Better weight distribution, more redundancy if something goes wrong.

That being said, it will depend on the size of boat you are pulling. If you are pulling a 24' boat, the third axle is really not needed due to weight and dragging the third set of tires is over kill. Most trailers I have seen start using triple axles at the 29' range, but, this will depend on weight of the boat.

Of course all this can be trumped by using tandem, duel axles. (10k Axles+) They will have the redundancy factor, better turning and stability due to the bigger tires and width... I have only seen these trailers set up as a gooseneck hitch, which will also add stability.

Had both, really don't notice a difference backing up or turning. The center wheel will kick up some stone when backing up but that's about it. Depends on the boat length/ weight if you need it.

I would go with as few as possible axles. I have had both and I would go with two heavy axles vs. three lighter duty axles. It gets you out of the "trailer tire" relm into the LT world which I have found to be much more reliable. Also less bearings, breaks, hydraulic lines, etc....

I love my tandem dually. I don't think I'll ever own another triple.

Count me up for triple... I have trailers that are 1,2 and 3 axles. The single sways a lot, the tandem (box car hauler) sways less but still sways and the triple is solid as a rock. Disk brakes are on the front and rear axles.
Some other thoughts, the triple has more tires on the ground, so if you hit a pot hole or a ditch it is more forgiving than others. As stated before you can strap up an axle if you have a problem. But the down side is that you do have more tires and hardware, your back tires will scrub in tight turns and it has to be level going down the road.
What are you going to be putting on said trailer and where do you boat?

I have both now, I like the heavy duty tandem better with the bigger tires, but the triple does seem to float down the road better.

My only concern is don't get a trailer with too much suspension, the less weight on a heavier trailer makes the boat ride hard you need a balance of weight carrying vs load so the trailer floats like an old Caddy running down the road, that's your goal to float!

Boat is a old 28 Pantera that is pretty heavy. Boat has speedmaster drives with their transmisions and is built heavy, way heavier than my 99 was.

Its its simple really if you trailer long distances, frequently, there are some that travel 100+ miles every weekend to go boating, u want a triple, if you trailer alot locally and jack it alot you will love the tandem, I have a tandem under my 30ft boat and I would be curb hopping every time I go in and out of my driveway with a triple, just make sure its setup properly

I have a tandem now and probably getting a new trailer, just trying to decide which one. Everytime we use the boat the trip is a 100 plus miles each way but getting in driveway and garage is very tight with a sharp corner and curves.

Is it bad that seeing the word "axel" misspelled is making me except / expect it? And I'm a crappy speller.

Axel Foley?

It all depends on the trailer and load.
Cheap bolt together trailer? Go with triple.
Welded engineered trailer? MAYBE a tandem under 33 feet and 10K lbs.
I'd only consider torsion axles. You can limp a torsion trailer in an emergency; cannot do so with leaf springs.

Trailers are tools, very expensive tools that accompany a boat.

Do you buy your tools at WalMart or Craftsman/SnapOn/or-better?

I was able to limp home when I snapped a center axle on my triple axle leaf spring myco. It involved a floor jack to raise the axle up, a ratchet strap around the axle to frame, snug it up, then lower floor jack.

Fair point, and thanks for sharing. Do you think it would have worked with a fore or aft axle? That would have to be one REALLY strong ratchet strap to even out the spring levelers.

Several years ago, a friend had his triple axle leaf spring trailer literally eat and drive over the first axle. The levelers got all out of whack, and the entire first axle ripped off as the second axle climbed over it. It came out the back of the trailer/boat to the side, so no damage to the drives. I wasn't there, but a friend who was behind him said it was GNARLY as the boat/trailer was 3 feet in the air. This was a steel trailer under a 388 Hustler. 'Twas probably a good thing he wasn't towing with a Bronco! (PSD dually actually)

I had a wheel bearing on my rear axle within 5 miles of the boat ramp last year. Took the wheel and rotor off. Put a piece a wood in between the brake pads. Tied up the caliper. Slowly released the jack from the axle. As luck had it I had an inch. 10 miles in hour and putted over railroad tracks on my tandem trailer (now 3 wheels) to the boat ramp to remove the weight. My combo weighs 10,800 fully loaded. I wouldn't recommend it but my continental bolt together trailer sustained no damage. Flex a bit though. I now keep a ratchet strap with me in case I have this issue again.

Torsion axle or Leaf Spring?

If you have to ratchet up a torsion axle, you are only pulling up against the force of that axle's suspension.
If you have to do so on a leaf spring trailer, you are pulling against 1/2 or 1/3 of the weight of that side of the boat. (1/2 with tandem axle; 1/3 with triple--as you are pulling up on the spring leveler)

Leaf.

No one brought up tolls. It amazes me what they charge to 2 axles. What about 3?

I bought a custom welded tandem aluminum built by Manning for my 31 Sonic last year and could not be happier. Have not gone more than 20 miles each way so far but will see if I change my mind when I take it my home in the Keys.

I've seen tandem aluminum trailers floated by the tires at the ramp. Gotta think two more wires would be worse.

Once you decide on the number of AXLE'S, you might want to look at a goose neck. It will give you a better turn and weight is better distributed across the truck

I just went through this. I converted my triple 10,500 spring load stabilizing to a tandem 12, 000 torsion and couldn't be happier. I don't seem to notice a difference in swaying, but it seems to tow rather softly behind the truck. Also, backing the boat in the corner of the shop for winter hibernation was a lot easier on the axles.

http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/t...ler-axles.html

I went from 3 to a tandem. For me a tandem is the best option, tight turn into storage and E rated tires and wheels. The road beds here in alabama are not smooth and get very very hot. I was having 2 blow outs per trip to the coast (900 mile round trip) on the 14" st radials. And finding a correct sized 14"er when all your spares blow is very hard when you are in no mans land. I have put about 3500 miles on my new Loadmaster now with zero tire issues. If I ever upgrade I will try and stay tandem but no mater the case the trailer will have E rated tires.

I have a triple under my 28 AT. Love it...very solid and tracks straight all the time. I lost a bearing on the front axle this summer...didn't even have to strap the axle up to make it to my mechanics. If it was a tandem, it would have been a bit hairy.

Pulled with tandem, triple, gooseneck, 5th wheel, bumper pull.
Bottom line
It's in your setup.
The triple axle is not forgiving with bumper height.
Has to be level so front or rear axle does not carry more than its share of load.
Tandem is more forgiving with balanced between front and rear axle with leaf springs.
Tortion axles its still Very important.
Towing on 14" wheels if even considering a triple is bad karma waiting to pay you back.
15" wheels rotates at a lower revolution per mile at all sizes. Load range is higher also.

Tire speed ratings is more critical than load ratings to me.
On my 48' kingpin triple axle trailer....
My 17.5 tires are J rated at 4805lbs but only 62 MPH
That's right!!!
62 miles per hour.
Axles are 10,000 Dexter tortion

Turning tight radius is tough on equipment.
Backing tight radius sux.
If you long haul it's nice to have tandem dual wheel trailers. Look at Semi truck trailers.
There is a reason that's how they roll.
But the heavier stuff starts to add axles as needed.

IMHO it is a personal choice that you have to weigh the pros and cons.
Trip single wheel pulls easier and the boat does not pitch heel to toe as much over interstate bridges and rough spots. But sux in tight corners.
Tandem duals is a compromise with weight and axles.
Tandem is more maneuverable, but has weight limitations.
If you pull tandem or more with 14" wheels, "bless you my son" as I drive past you on the side of the road.

Sorry. But like everything else.
This is my opinion.

Triple over a standard Tandem any day

UPGRADED Tandem, Super Single, Spread axle, etc. There are ways to make a tandem axle trailer pull nice and safe but it needs to be engineered and upgraded not just a run of the mill Tandem axle trailer. Basically you need to build an overkill Tandem, you wont save any weight or money, but she will pull nice.

It has to work from a weight stand point but if you have some tight turns getting into your driveway or the launch ramps you frequent like I do a tandem will out turn a triple all day long! I have two 15" 5500lb 6 bolt axles under my twin 29 F. Pulls, turns awesome. Ive hit over 100mph several times heading down big hills on the 401 and its like a rock back there behind my 8.1 2500 HD and thats no BS.

Set up is huge though. For example I took my race car to the track last Sunday (tandem/open) 100 mi each way first time I ever towed it on the highway. On the way the trailer would sway a little wee bit over 70mph and would over react/ kind of fishtail sort of on a lane change. It was nervous back there and the whole package is only half the weight of my boat and trailer.

I knew I needed more tongue weight so on the way back I tied the car down another 8" forward solid as a rock hit cruise at 80 no prob. I marked the trailer so that is where the car will sit from now on.


http://i962.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps897fb128.jpg


http://i962.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps75fc6b8f.jpg