Towing a 40 on single axle trailer?

[ebutlerfj40]

I'm considering building a trailer to tow my 40 on. I want something light, as small as possibe and low to the ground. Also, considering a single heavy duty axle to keep rolling resistance down. Any thoughts or experience towing a 40 on a single axle trailer? I'm towing with a Dodge 3/4 ton cummins truck. Thanks.

 

[SWITAWI]

Interesting... Don't think I've ever seen a single axle used to haul a vehicle. The idea seems to 'ungainly' to me, if that makes sense. I think either the tongue or the tail would be overly heavy and so towing would be at best a chore, at worst a nightmare.

I believe the major benefit(s) of having two axles is more than just increased load capacity. Having two axles also greatly increases the sweet spot for your load on the trailer so it doesn't get tail-happy or overload the tongue. Two axles lowers the per tire load, decreasing wear and tear on tires/bearings/brakes while increasing the traction footprint for wet weather travel and braking. With a two axle trailer you've got extra safety built into the design and you might even be able to limp to the next highway exit. With a crumbling bearing or tire in the midst of tread separation on a trailer with just one axle you're stuck where you are... if you manage to realize what's happening before it all goes wrong.

Even my uncle's old tube-frame, VW-powered dune buggy (that I learned to drive stick in) got hauled on a little trailer with two axles, and it didn't weigh anything at all.

 

[bigndn]

Agreed. Single axles are for tow dolly's IMO or for ATV/Snowmobiles. Something that weighs as much as an FJ40 should have 2 axles under it, even if they're only 3500# rated. Just makes sense.

 

[hey you]

Tandem axle trailer with brakes on both axles is the only way to go. I would also go for a larger than 2" hitch and ball. Overall, its safer, easier to tow, and you can throw on a couple gas cans and fire wood for the longer weekends.

 

[greentruck]

Sounds scary to me.

Unless perfectly balanced, the tongue weight is going to be crazy wild in one direction or another. Loading sounds tricky, too.

 

[Mark W]

Gonna be tough to find tires rated high enough to do this.

A blow out would be scary in a single axle trailer too.

You will not gain enough from reduced rolling resistance to justify the effort and expense.

Axle will be more expensive, trailer construction and material selection will be too.

It will not be as stable going down the road as a tandem.


Mark...

 

[ebutlerfj40]

Thanks to all for the info. I'm towing from Kansas City, MO to Moab in May. I have a heavy duty 18' trailer with dual 7k axles for hauling my skid steer and tractor. I use it to transport my 40 to most events, but Moab is a long haul and I was considering another option to reduce weight and fuel usage. Though I'll burn more fuel towing with the trailer I have, I'm certain I couldn't save enough with a smaller/lighter one to even come close to paying for it. And then there's the safety factor. At least this way I'll have room for all the raffle prizes I hope to win!

 

[greentruck]

At least this way I'll have room for all the raffle prizes I hope to win!

That's the spirit!

[Beats saying "Winning!"]

 

[Rock_Hugger]

Also what you would spend to build this other trailer would be way more than the extra fuel to use the trailer you have.