tire failure

Will-C · Posted: Fri May 16, 2014 4:42 pm Post subject: tire failure

I don't see any Single axle trailers rated for more than 4400 pounds from the three brands I looked at. Most seem to be less than 4000 pounds. For some reason it seems tandem axles are more the norm for boats over 4000. I'm thinking for the extra weight someone thinks brakes on two axles and a couple more tires might be safer with boat weights above 4000 pounds. I don't have a 22' so I have no idea what one actually weighs rigged for cruising. If a single axle trailer makes you happy, I'm happy. I've owned both and for us the tandem with the with two axles four tires and four wheel disc brakes seems to make sense for the places we have traveled.
D.D.

Sunbeam · Posted: Fri May 16, 2014 4:50 pm Post subject: Re: tire failure

Avidmagnum12 · Posted: Fri May 16, 2014 8:47 pm Post subject:

I've had 2 blowouts on single axel trailers. First one with my 19 ft Carolina Skiff. Second one with my CD 22. Both at highway speeds....60 mph. No big deal....straight down the road. I NOW change my tires every 4 years and check air pressure every time I go out. Live and Learn!

Tom Schulke Out2C 2004 22 Commuter

Sea Wolf · Posted: Fri May 16, 2014 9:11 pm Post subject:

If someone has the time, there's some reading that could be digested to a generalized answer to this question:

Trailer Safety: Single Axle vs. Tandem.

Do the "Experts" agree? Laughing

Joe.

UncleRichie · Posted: Fri May 16, 2014 10:22 pm Post subject:

Had a blowout on my single axle trailer did not even know it till car next to me pointed to it . The side walls of the really good tires sported the trailer quit well.
The funny part was after I had pulled off and was standing next to the tire witch was smoking and smelled a lot had a new young stater stop and walk right by the tire and ask in his best voice whats the problem here? I think he was a little embearest when I pointed to the smoking tire he was standing next to.
Richard

CAVU · Posted: Fri May 16, 2014 11:18 pm Post subject:

I have had two blowouts on single axle boat trailers. I tow with a 1 ton dually and almost always have my 9 foot slide-in camper loaded. The first tire failure was on a 19' Arima and then several years later on my 22' C-Dory. In both cases it was a real non-issue. I can see very little of the boat behind the camper and the only indication that I was having trouble was seeing tire debris flying down the road in my rear view mirror. In both cases I was able to safely pull over to the shoulder and change to the spare.

To answer the original question posed in this thread-I can't imagine how anyone could lose control of their vehicle due to a flat tire on a single axle trailer. With the front of the trailer attached to the vehicle no amount of drag on one side of the axle could force the other tire to slide sideways. Perhaps if you were towing on glare ice-maybe?

Bill K · Posted: Sun May 18, 2014 7:48 pm Post subject:

For what it's worth, I put external tire pressure sensors on my trailer tires.

That way I know what is happening with them.

Bill Kelleher

Sunbeam · Posted: Sun May 18, 2014 9:00 pm Post subject:

Bill K · Posted: Sun May 18, 2014 10:07 pm Post subject:

The sensors are only an oz. or 2 and yes I had the tires balanced with them on. I also have switched them onto two other trailers one being my C-Dory trailer.

Here is the link to Truck System Technologies.

http://tsttruck.com/

Be sure if you order any you get the ones that have a replaceable battery in the sensors.

Model # TM-507SE

Bill Kelleher

Will-C · Posted: Mon May 19, 2014 7:31 am Post subject: tire failure

Wow looks like single axles blow a lot of tires. Mr. Green

D.D.

Robert H. Wilkinson · Posted: Tue May 20, 2014 9:45 pm Post subject:

2 more pages and I think this thread is going to morph into the twin engine debate!! Laughing

I've had both single and tandam axle boat trailers and I am quite happy with my current single axle. But then my Stingray is only 3,000 pounds(dry). Just like engines there are pro's and con's to having 1 and/or 2.

I have a long, narrow, steep driveway with a 90deg. turn at the bottom - no turnaround so the boat must be backed down. The tandam axle I had was easier to back down because it was narrower but the single is far better at making the turn at the bottom.

As a mechanic I like the idea of the larger wheels on the single - less heat and wear on the bearings. The wider stance Is also good on uneven road surfaces.

Dare I ask if your tandam is " propped for twins " Mr. Green

The tires on most tandam trailers combine the weight rating of all 4. If so a blowout can significantly overload the remaining tire on that side. This does not mean it will blow out but it is possible. The thing to remember here is that a trailer does not normally have the suspension travel or shock absorption properties like a car. If you watch the tires on somebody's trailer at highway speeds - after it passes over a "hump" in the road - some of the boats weight is momentarily lifted off the axle - then when the suspension bottoms out the sidewalls absorb the additional weight - causing them to bulge. This is when that second tire may blowout because it is having more weight put on it then the static weight of the trailer.

Just like on the water - lower speeds and smooth surface - less problems Cool

Regards, Rob

T.R. Bauer · Posted: Wed May 21, 2014 8:58 am Post subject:

My single axle trailer is rated for 5200 pounds....I think....judging by the bearings, 6 lug wheels, and tire size. And there are times it has every bit of that on it when the 22 is loaded up. I really haven't had any issues with it at all. I have also had many other tandem set ups. In fact, my car trailer is a tandem. I have flats on both setups over the years and feel they are about the same in that catagory. However, in general, tandem trailers really seem to make towing a breeze as they are not "busy" at all going down the road. Singles.....well they are always wagging around doing stuff in comparison.....they're having a good time! With a heavy tow rig it doesn't really matter, but with a marginal one you probably really have to pay attention to what you are doing. They both work.....if money is no problem the tandem is generally better.

texasair · Posted: Wed May 21, 2014 10:40 am Post subject:

One can obtain increased carrying capacity and tire strength by moving up in load range in the exact same size tire. Down side is that they cost a little more.

I moved up from the 15" load range D tires on my 22 to load range E.

The higher Load range carries a higher ply rating and is stronger and more durable. The load range E's now on my trailer carry a 10 ply rating and can carry more weight than the old D rated tires.

The higher load range tires are not in stock at as many tire stores and sometimes they must be special ordered.

starcrafttom · Posted: Wed May 21, 2014 11:27 am Post subject:

I have 3 axles and 6 tire. so there. Its not a choice its a requirement for the weight of the boat.