why not? single axle car hauler (1 Viewer)

[macattack_ga]

I've had a couple of tandem axle trailers and they have all performed very well for their designed function.

They are very smooth running down the road. I guess that is because they split the shock of bumps across the two axles over time (yeah a very short period of time at 75+mph).

However when making tight turns, especially when backing, the two axles seem to resist and have to drag the tires around.

What would the disadvantage be to having an open trailer w/ one 7,000lbs axle w/ 8 lug wheels (8x6.5) the same that are on most 3/4 and 1 ton pickups (spare tires could be interchangeable... another advantage!!!)

just a thought...

using a single 7,000 torsion axle you could just weld a toung on and some rails for the tires to sit on, string up the lights and brakes and be on your way...

 

[Isotel]

this one is cool, but an FJ40 weighs alot more than that Sammy!

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showpost.php?p=6100585&postcount=386

 

[REZARF]

I think that redundancy is one adavantage in the event of a blowout, or tire failure.

Rezarf <><

 

[inthewall]

Yep! You would be in the ditch with a tire blowing out or a bearing giving it up. Also a single axle is harder on tires and tow vehicle. More weight on tow vehicle.

 

[Moe R]

I agree with the former. Also a single with a lot of weight will sway at speeds above 60 mph. 2 axles give more stability all over and the blowout security previously mentioned. I've been there and ended up at 55 mph for a 300 mi.trip. Lots of pis-ed off drivers. I drove 18 wheelers for 10 years and that's why they put lotsa tires under all that weight.

 

[Arya Ebrahimi]

Not a car trailer, but a true story on why redundant axles are useful.

My friend was hauling a 34' Fountain speed boat from Ft Lauderdale to Virginia Beach. Somewhere in SC they stopped for gas and as they were fueling up, they did a routine inspection of the trailer(triple axle). As they rounded the boat to look at the other side, hmmm, 1 tire, 2 tire, 3....no 3 tire. s***, where did the 3rd tire go? Apparently the spindle nut had come undone leaving the tire to find its way off the trailer. They never found the tire, but with some creative ratchet strapping on the axle they were able to continue the remaining 7 hours home without incident(they had a spare tire, but no spare hub/bearings). The key to this story is that they lost a tire w/o any adverse handling affects.

It was an odd incident, but as mentioned above, if you had a blowout or bearing failure, you would still be able to maneuver and control the rig/trailer.

Ary

 

[Scott_sFZJ80]

You know I was thinking about the very same single axle question myself and you guys convinced me otherwise... Thanks, points well taken. Now I need to go back to my search for aluminum car hauler to keep the weight down.

 

[cruiserdan]

If you did attempt to carry a vehicle on a single axle trailer, weight distribution would be critical.

 

[Pytbool]

You would also need tires rated for the weight of the trailer + the weight of your load.

-Tyler

 

[gavman]

I had a single axle Cargo plus enclosed trailer (3500 axle) for a few years and it was an absolute pig to tow behind my chevy 3/4 ton pu in comparison to my twin axle (7000 pound) dump trailer.
My feeling is that the single axle was to blame and even though a twin axle would be heavier i think in my case it would have been much easier to tow.
The dump trailer was also very dangerous also it the load was not spread properly.

 

[gumbydood]

If you have proper tongue weight, a single axle trailer pulls just as well as a tandem axle trailer. You won't have the redundancy of a second tire per side, but you also won't have to drag the extra 350+ pounds per axle.

I have a 7'x16' open, tandem axle car hauler, that tows like a dream. I also have a 7x14 wells cargo enclosed single axle trailer I haul motorcycles. It also tows like a dream, although it has a VERY high tongue weight comparatively.

Just my experiences,
Eric

 

[macattack_ga]

You would also need tires rated for the weight of the trailer + the weight of your load.

-Tyler

that would be fairly easy w/ E rated 3/4 or 1-ton tires

 

[FJ40Jim]

I'll let you know how it works when I get mine built.

Currently have a 5000# Dexter torsilastic axle w/ 6 lug hubs, cruiser wheels w/ ST225R15 tires (tire capacity 5400#/pair), hydraulic surge coupler, and a bunch of steel tube.

The deck will be 12.5' x 7'. Big enough for a Sami, VW or MGB. Might be able to fit a stock FJ40.

Advantage to single axle is lighter, less rolling resistance, easier turning.
Disadvantage is less tolerance of stupidity or ignorance.

The math:
Empty axle weight 750#
Emty tongue wt 100#
Empty trailer weight 850#

max axle weight 5000#
max tongue wt 500#
max gross trailer wt 5500#
max net cargo wt 4650#

I'll post pics when it gets glued together.

 

[diesel junkie]

Towed a lot of little 3.5k pound bakhoe & bobcats lately on a single axle hire trailer and really didnt like the way the push you around.
Rather the safety of a tandem, extra drag/weight doesnt bother me.