Tandum Trailer Question(s)

Tug · Posted: Wed Jul 13, 2011 9:36 pm Post subject: Tandum Trailer Question(s)

Is backing up your boat at the launch any more difficult with a tandem trailer than with a single axile trailer and is making tight turns any more difficult. If you have a tire blowout on the highway with a tandem tailer and you do not have a spare can you lift and secure ( tie up ) the axile with the flat tire and than safely drive to a repair garage.I read this somewhere but i am not to sure i would want to try it.

Ramon Sr · Posted: Wed Jul 13, 2011 10:10 pm Post subject:

I have a two axle trailer and haven't noticed anything different from a single axle trailer. The only thing I have noticed on mine is that when I take a sharp turn on reverse the surge brake acts up and I have to manually work on it with the brake lockout. No biggie. I have not had a flat tire yet but I suppose it may be better with the twin axle that with only one axle. I may be wrong. I do have a spare tire on my trailer. I am all up for the twin axle.

rogerbum · Posted: Wed Jul 13, 2011 11:43 pm Post subject:

Like twins vs. single engines, this is a topic that pops up every now and then. Here's a link to a previous discussion on the topic.

Mighty Bite · Posted: Thu Jul 14, 2011 12:49 am Post subject:

Given an option, and options are almost always available. Tandem is
the only way to go. On one of my runs to Valdez from Fairbanks a
few years back I had occasion to really appreciate the tandem.
I periodically stop to check things and did so about 80 miles from
Valdez. I then ran those last 80 miles without event. After pulling
into Valdez and parking the rig. I started to walk away
looked back and the rear tire on the starboard side was literally
gone, only a small band of rubber was still attached to the wheel. I
have no way of knowing where it happened in that 80 mile stretch
but the key is that the trailer ran w/o any apparent problem after
the loss of the tire.

That's my 2 cents.

Tug · Posted: Thu Jul 14, 2011 5:33 am Post subject:

Thanks for the information and the link, i wasn't sure if backing up a tandem would be any harder or not, nice to know that if you get a flat on the highway at speed it's not game over .

I'm off fishing or at least out feeding the fish. ha!ha!

Tug · Posted: Thu Jul 14, 2011 8:40 am Post subject:

Had a good morning fishing, got a good size Atlantic Salmon on my first pass, about 10 minutes after i got there which is only 5 minutes from the marina. You are only allowed to keep one Atlantic so it was a short fishing trip.

Finally the fish are going to feed me instead of me feeding them .

http://i1201.photobucket.com/albums/bb355/Tug7/100_0302.jpg

Tug · Posted: Thu Jul 14, 2011 2:35 pm Post subject:

Will EZ-Loader set up my trailer for my type of boat before they ship it or do i just have the outboard dealer from whom i ordered it from set it up when it arrives. Thanks

Captains Cat · Posted: Thu Jul 14, 2011 3:49 pm Post subject:

Ask them.

Tug · Posted: Thu Jul 14, 2011 4:24 pm Post subject:

Charlie i just called the outboard dealer that i ordered the trailer from and he will call and ask EZ-Loader about doing just that. Will post results.

Wefings · Posted: Thu Jul 14, 2011 5:29 pm Post subject:

EZ Loader and most major trailer manufacturers have patterns for many boats . They keep the specs on file .
Marc

Tug · Posted: Thu Jul 14, 2011 5:38 pm Post subject:

Marc...that is good to know and thank you for the information.

C-Gypsy · Posted: Thu Jul 14, 2011 10:56 pm Post subject:

Tug,

I'm no authority, but have a lot of experience pulling trailers. I drove tractor-trailer for 29 years including pulling doubles for UPS across the mountains of Pennsylvania for most of those years.

Backing a dual axle trailer is easier because the trailer turns more slowly. Just remember to always have your entire rig in a straight line before hitting reverse and backing down the ramp.

Dual axle trailers afford you one option that a single axle trailer can never offer... Dual brakes!

My advice would be to purchase a dual axle trailer with brakes on both axles. That is what I have under C-Gypsy.

There are many reasons why I always advise dual axle trailers. When I had my Nor'Sea 27 sailboat she sat on a custom ordered triple axle trailer (she weighed over 6 tons on the trailer).

Al

Jack in Alaska · Posted: Fri Jul 15, 2011 3:13 am Post subject: tandem vs single axle

If you plan on doing any beach launching the single axle trailer performs better in the sand when making turns to back it in the water.
Just my experience and advice from Mark Toland, the man that built my 1983 Classic.

Jack

digger · Posted: Fri Jul 15, 2011 11:21 am Post subject:

My experience is that the tandem trail tows nicer, but when doing a lot of tight maneuvering, the tires skid and leave marks...no problem really. However, once the trailer is disconnected, you cannot move the tongue side to side by hand. I had to resort to a power dolly to maneuver my tandem trailer on the flat once in the garage area. With a single axle trailer I was able to move the boat around by hand.

Ron

Tug · Posted: Fri Jul 15, 2011 11:36 am Post subject:

Ron...i always did find it a pain backing up the truck to connect the trailer.I always seemed to be off an inch but at least with a single axile i could shove the tongue over a bit than lower the coupler on to the ball hitch. Next year i will not be leaving my boat at the marine ..( have to save to pay for the trailer )..i will be trailering it everywhere.I am not looking forward to having to hook up the trailer every other day especially with a tandem trailer, maybe i will leave the truck attached to the trailer for the season. For the kind of boating i do, 2-3 hours fishing at a time i can get out fishing about 30x for the price i pay for a slip at the marina.I have been out 24x so far this season so that will be a real savings.