When is a tandem axle necessary?

[Duckjunkie194]

I had a blowout on the right trailer tire a few years ago coming back from the Hayward area. No warning or anything, and suddenly it didnt feel right. Shredded the tire, ripped off the fender and by the time I got stopped and far enough off the shoulder of the road, the rim was also shot. Never felt a loss of control though. Best thing I had going that day was I ALWAYS carry a small floor jack in the back of the truck for this type of thing. Under 30 minutes of swatting mosquitos in the high shoulder grass and the tire was changed and back on the road.

[rwl]

Had a tandem axle tire blow on an enclosed trailer, shredded the tire, the fender and removed most of the aluminum siding from the trailer, so damage can occur from both tandem and singles. I tow my buddies 1900 Pro-V tandem and it pulls great. My 186GL is single and it tows great, but probably smoother with a tandem, but then I couldn't push it in and out of garage as easily to wash wax etc. It's give and take if you don't need it.

[stratofisher]

I had my tandem boat trailer tires blow out last weekend on the way back from Colorado. The left rear tire exploded when crossing some rumble strips prior to a stop sign. The explosion took out the other tire, bent the fender, and broke the tail light. Before this blowout I had another one 4 years ago that also took out both tires. No control issues associated with either blowout, but it seems to kill both tires. I had to limp into town on three tires with my single spare and the other axle strapped up. I am about to put another spare on the trailer for just such isolated areas as Eastern Colorado. I think I may go to bias ply only tires soon. On the ranch we never had issues with tire blowouts, but we also never ran radial tires. Seems to be something about the radials sitting and causing failure due to flat spots. Of course I put on some more radials because that was all that was available. Maybe next time I will re-do with bias ply tires.

[209Yarcraft]

If you can afford it go for the tandem axles. Yes the single axle trailer will handle the weight but the advantage of tandems are enough to warrant the money. We had a 1850 Reata on a single axle trailer and had no issues with it, but after going to the tandem axle on our new Yarcraft 209 the difference is huge. Our new boat pulls way easier and weighs a lot more. You don't get the bouncing up and down that you get from a single axle trailer and it just rides a lot better. There is a lot less stress on the tires if you spread that weight out more over 4 tires instead of two. If you pull any distance go for tandems you won't regret it.

[Walleye Hunter II]

Safety factor & the biggest reason I switch to tandem was the single axle wouldn't track straight behind the fifthwheel. I would see trailer in the mirrors going from one side to the other. Since I switch there are times I don't see the trailer until I turn corners. I feel it tracks behind the tow vehicle much better.

[Mike7759]

I am buying a new boat and my concern with a single axle trailer is that I tow with a 36 ft motorhome. If I have a blowout, unless I am watching the backup camera, I doubt I will feel much and I'm concerned about the possible damage. So I either need to ask for a tandem axle or really keep an eye on my tires

[moose-hunter]

My only issue with dropping the cash and upgrading to a tandem axle is the ability to move it around in the garage. I need to be able to position it by hand and with the added axle, won't pivoting the trailer bust my already weak back?

[Papascott]

PitchinJigs, can you tell me what makes a tandem axel trailer easier to back? I have had people tell me that but for the life of me can't figure out why that would be the case.

[PitchinJigs]

Originally Posted by Papascott

PitchinJigs, can you tell me what makes a tandem axel trailer easier to back? I have had people tell me that but for the life of me can't figure out why that would be the case.

Tandem axles don't respond as quickly to changes at the wheel where as single axles move side to side very easily while backing up. I suppose it has something to do with the tires counteracting each other, much the same reason why they track so nicely in tow. Basically, with the tandem you can screw up some and still keep the rig straight while backing down. That has been my experience with both types over many years... my wife, family, and friends have commented that they prefer backing the boat down the ramp with the tandem axles vs the single axles. When it's my wife, kids, and I going out, I typically have my wife back the boat down. She always got the job done, but there was a lot of correcting going on with the single axles. The first time and each time since going to a tandem, she's done it in one shot straight down the ramp.

That said, if we were talking about making tight turns or corners, I feel the single axles have the advantage. I have to make a pretty hard turn backing into my driveway off the alley. With a single axle, I can back it in right around the corner of the driveway, be straight, and park it. With the tandem, I have about 3 corrections to make before I can get it lined up straight before parking.

Hope that helps,
Jigs

[moose-hunter]

Originally Posted by moose-hunter

My only issue with dropping the cash and upgrading to a tandem axle is the ability to move it around in the garage. I need to be able to position it by hand and with the added axle, won't pivoting the trailer bust my already weak back?

Still looking for a little input here...

I like the idea of a tandem axle. But not if I can't move it around in the garage by myself without the aid of the truck.