Single or Double axle?

[ribless]

Hi there

I have a DeGraaff Trailer for my rib which is rated for 1500kg on a single axle. The trailer is now 5 years old and still in good condition...apart from the bearings and brakes! It appears that the person who owned the boat before did not service the trailer (it was dry stacked so only used 2/3 times a year). I have now stripped down the axles and brakes and there is some rust on one of the axle stubs which are not replaceable...annoyingly

So my options are
1) replace with another single axle
2) replace with a double axle

The 2nd option is twice the price of the first, however I am planning to tow the boat to the south of France and thought maybe it would be worth it for piece of mind?! I am just after any input/suggestions from people who have double axles and what is a good make to go for?

Many thanks
Leigh

[Nos4r2]

Do you mean replace the axle or the trailer?

[ribless]

Sorry, I mean replace the axle. A single axle is £350 a new trailer is 1,000's!

[Erin]

I would have thought a Revenger 715 would be well over the carrying spec of a single axle rated at 1500kg. If you're going to tow that sort of distance, I think you really ought to be doing it legally. If you have some sort of accident and the authorities realise your trailer was overloaded, there'd be hell to pay, as well as maybe not being insured.

[Rogue Wave]

That rig would be under a ton plus fuel . singke is fine but I'd always go twin if I could

[HUMBER P4VWL]

Single trailer is much more maneuverable by a person by hand without the boat.

Double is safer towing when a wheel goes

Double and single axle act very differently over bumps!!!!

Single can be easier to balance with the tow vehicle

Double is more expensive to maintain

Most important is the weight limit. Get it on a weighbridge and check if you're going to France, last thing you want is it in a compound in France!!

[BlueFlash]

Another thing to consider is the load placed on a double axle when turning tightly. Even with the wheels as close together as possible they will twist and that load (at 90° to the wieght load) can exceed the capacity of the bearings and lead to failures. So Replacing a single 1500Kg axle with 2 x 750Kg or even 2 x 1000Kg axles is not advisable. I would go for 2 x 1500Kg to replace a single 1500Kg. Sounds like overkill but its really just understanding the immense strain caused by that turning twist.

Grant

[Hightower]

Originally Posted by BlueFlash

Another thing to consider is the load placed on a double axle when turning tightly. Even with the wheels as close together as possible they will twist and that load (at 90° to the wieght load) can exceed the capacity of the bearings and lead to failures. So Replacing a single 1500Kg axle with 2 x 750Kg or even 2 x 1000Kg axles is not advisable. I would go for 2 x 1500Kg to replace a single 1500Kg. Sounds like overkill but its really just understanding the immense strain caused by that turning twist.

Grant

The only problem with replacing with twin 1500kg axles is that you'll have a very harsh ride.

I would go with a replacement 1500kg or upgrade to a single 1800kg one. Keep a spare hub and bearings and on long runs on the road throw the spares in the boot so that road side repair is possible to get you home should a wheel bearing fail.