Single axle vs tandem

J

Jack in Alaska

New member
I just finished towing a 22' CD, twin 40hp Honda's, life raft w/3hp kicker and all the anchor gear, pot puller, 2 down riggers and regular stuff from Seattle to Anchorage. Got in today.
I was apprehensive about the single axle as the road north is full of potholes and frost heaves this time of year and I thought the double would ride better.
WRONG on that count. That Easy Loader with torsion suspension handled the bumps etc like a champ. The boat never moved on the trailer like ones have done in the past with tandems including my own CD. I believe the torsion suspension is the trick. It also had new tires with 50 psi air. I watched the boat on those bumps and it never once looked like it was being abused.
Having it shrink wrapped was a big plus in keeping it clean.
I just delivered it to the owner and he was happy. 4 1/2 days for the trip.
I will be looking for another tow next April. Prefer C-Dorys but would consider others if not too heavy or large size. 26' is ideal max. for me.
 
Jack,

Glad to hear you made another safe trip north. As I found out last year the road north can be a bit iffy at this time.

I wasn't surprised to have you report the single axle EZ loader trailer with torsion bar suspension & load you described, rode better than you expected. I have towed our boat with twin Honda's & similar weight & same trailer over 40,000 miles including three trips north, two to Skagway, Alaska & one to Prince Rupert, BC. Zero flat tires & bearing problems during that time, but through the boat never shifted on the trailer it did get bounced some more than I liked with things in the cabin if not really secured well, ending up on the floor. On our last trip north with it in 2007 two roller support arms broke causing us enough trouble to re think our trailer options for retirement. In 2010 we replaced the single axle trailer with another EZ Loader. This one has twin axles with torsion bar suspension, electric over hydraulic brakes & bunks instead of rollers. After over another 15,000 miles with this trailer including two more trips to Skagway, Alaska, I can say it provides a far superior ride for the boat. Twin axles, both with torsion suspension is the way to go if planning on many miles of trailering with rough roads in the mix. When looking to purchase a replacement trailer in 2010, twin axles both with torsion bar suspension was the top must have on my list, followed by both axles having electric over hydraulic braking, bunks & enough excess weight rating to never worry about what was carried in the boat on a trip.

Jay
 
Jay,
I don't disagree with your position on this. I just posted my results of this trip. The EZL is a 2005, had only 100 miles on it (now 2600), has new tires, two spares, a spare set of bearings and caps with extra oil. It has elect. over hydr. disk brakes that worked fine. Brakes probably will become a bunch of rusty junk in a season or two.
If one is going to use the trailer for trips to the launch with occasional long trips a single would be just fine. For a world adventurer er such as yourself a tandem would probably be better.
I envy your trips but I am getting too old and creeky to be doing that. My dream was to take the 22' HIGH TIDE from Whitehorse to the sea on the west coast of Alaska and then sell it there. Didn't happen. Raising two sons took up that idea. THey are both into boating now. One has my old 22' CD and the other has a 28' Harborcraft decked out totally.
Have a good summer and thanks for the reply.
Jack
 
Yes Jack, I thought you'd agree as my point was like you on your last long tow the single axle trailer with torsion suspension worked very well for us over many miles & time on some rough roads. Yet two axles with that same type suspension is still much better for those wanting to do similar if affordable to them.

Jay
 
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