Two Or Four Wheels

shirehorse · 27 February 2008, 14:36

Is there a rule on using twin axles over single when over a certain weight or length or does one travel better than the other. What do you die hard ribbers prefer? Does it really matter as long as its legal?

Nos4r2 · 27 February 2008, 15:02

It's down to axle weights and boat weight-it's easier to find a pair of 1500kg axles than one 3000kg one.

Besides, twin axle trailers tow better.

BogMonster · 27 February 2008, 15:05

Twin is certainly better on rough (i.e non tarmaced) roads because only one wheel on each side drops into a pothole at any given moment. I've watched some boats being trailered here on "normal" boat trailers with little 13" wheels and they don't half bounce compared to my twin axle shod with 7.50x16 Land Rover wheels

shirehorse · 27 February 2008, 15:16

Is it worth considering fuel consumption and maintainance costs?

Jono · 27 February 2008, 15:18

Have a search around the forum..this has been discussed a good few times...

Single for me...

http://www.rib.net/forum/showthread....ht=single+axle

codprawn · 27 February 2008, 15:18

I don't know about twins being better off road - it's more likely the massive tyres. The best offroad trailer I have ever used is the Sankey which is only single axle - they are so much more manoeuvrable.

The ultimate was the powered trailer for Land Rovers driven by the rear pto.

On road I prefer a triple axle!!!

Jono · 27 February 2008, 15:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by codprawn

The ultimate was the powered trailer for Land Rovers driven by the rear pto.

These were so good that how many were actually made?

codprawn · 27 February 2008, 15:49

Not a lot - but they made plenty of Sankeys.

LRs don't even have PTOs any more - sigh!!!

Hugh Jardon · 27 February 2008, 16:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by shirehorse

Is there a rule on using twin axles over single when over a certain weight or length or does one travel better than the other. What do you die hard ribbers prefer? Does it really matter as long as its legal?

i have had both single axle trailers and double axle trailers, to be honest i have found that on the road the single axle trailers tow far better at speed, not sure why, might be the double axle had a far heavier load but is true

then you have to consider manouvering the thing by hand, almost impossible with double axle whereas with single axle it is easy

i opted for a single axle to allow manouvering by hand and it tows lovely

you do not get the reassurance that if one bearing or tyre goes you still have another three!

would i swap my single axle trailer for a double axle item even though i had a bearing failure....nope. however if the boat had been damaged i would probably have said yes but i guess i was lucky.

i have quite small low profile tyres which are quite wide, on a soft beach i am no convinced that they are superior to another single axle trailers with normal type tyres, however the load on my trailer was a heck of a lot more than the other trailers, the trailer towing guy with a tractor seemed to prefer my setup to the others

youwill have to think thru the options and your priorities and needs and take it from there

Mollers · 27 February 2008, 18:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hugh Jardon

i have had both single axle trailers and double axle trailers, to be honest i have found that on the road the single axle trailers tow far better at speed, not sure why, might be the double axle had a far heavier load but is true

then you have to consider manouvering the thing by hand, almost impossible with double axle whereas with single axle it is easy

i opted for a single axle to allow manouvering by hand and it tows lovely

you do not get the reassurance that if one bearing or tyre goes you still have another three!

would i swap my single axle trailer for a double axle item even though i had a bearing failure....nope. however if the boat had been damaged i would probably have said yes but i guess i was lucky.

i have quite small low profile tyres which are quite wide, on a soft beach i am no convinced that they are superior to another single axle trailers with normal type tyres, however the load on my trailer was a heck of a lot more than the other trailers, the trailer towing guy with a tractor seemed to prefer my setup to the others

youwill have to think thru the options and your priorities and needs and take it from there

Stunningly, I agree with HJ's comments pretty much in full.

You'd only run a twin axle trailer if weight dictated. The only advantage is, that if a tyre blew or a bearing seized, you're not dead by the side of the road. Otherwise, a single axle trailer is preferable.

shirehorse · 27 February 2008, 18:28

Thank you very much for your thoughts and words i am not sure if it has helped or not just given me alot more food for thought. I would like to go for single due to running costs, but i will travel many miles with a 850kg boat does this make the decision easier or not?

Tim M · 27 February 2008, 18:36

Twin axles for me. As others have said, make sure its set up properly. When I first got mine it was really bouncy. I had to adjust the axles and drawbar about three times to get it just right - now its perfect.

Downhilldai · 27 February 2008, 18:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by shirehorse

Thank you very much for your thoughts and words i am not sure if it has helped or not just given me alot more food for thought. I would like to go for single due to running costs, but i will travel many miles with a 850kg boat does this make the decision easier or not?

If the total weight of your rig is 850kg, then you'll be fine with a single axle trailer. I'd recommend you invest in a spare wheel and a spare hub (c/w bearings), just in case........oh, and carry them with you

Mollers · 27 February 2008, 19:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by Downhilldai

I'd recommend you invest in a spare wheel and a spare hub (c/w bearings), just in case........oh, and carry them with you

At all times, even if you don't have the trailer or a car with you.

A large rucksack may help.

Downhilldai · 27 February 2008, 19:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mollers

... A large rucksack may help.

You leave my old bag out of this

Mollers · 27 February 2008, 19:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by Downhilldai

You leave my old bag out of this

Maybe it's the spare wheel, hub and bearings in the 'Chavsack' that's giving you added momentum on the slopes?

Chris · 27 February 2008, 20:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by codprawn

I don't know about twins being better off road - it's more likely the massive tyres. The best offroad trailer I have ever used is the Sankey which is only single axle - they are so much more manoeuvrable.

The ultimate was the powered trailer for Land Rovers driven by the rear pto.

On road I prefer a triple axle!!!

They are the best vehicles sadly the one from these pics is rotting under a tarp at the moment and has been since our trip to Morocco 12 years ago. This one had a toyota landcruiser 6 cylinder diesel fitted and what a great truck it was....

Downhilldai · 27 February 2008, 23:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mollers

Maybe it's the spare wheel, hub and bearings in the 'Chavsack' that's giving you added momentum on the slopes?

Not to mention the 2 foot power-bar, 4 foot length of pipe and 2-ton trolley jack..........Oh, and a tub of grease

9D280 · 28 February 2008, 09:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by Downhilldai

Not to mention the 2 foot power-bar, 4 foot length of pipe and 2-ton trolley jack..........Oh, and a tub of grease

Or your preferred rescue service's phone number. If you have the parts in the back of the car it does rather speed things up when they come to rescue you! (or borrow their brearing puller for 5 mins, as the case my be!)