Handling Differences Between 3 axles and 2?

rebelback · Feb 7, 2012

I have the chance to get a fairly decent 76" wide by 20' long trailer to haul my farmall 45 with FEL tractor around on. It has 3 3,500lb axles instead of say 2 5,400lb axles. Will this affect the handling of the trailer at all? It is a steal at $1,200. I won't be going more than 30 miles one way.

arsenix2001 · Feb 7, 2012

deltabowhunter said:
I have the chance to get a fairly decent 76" wide by 20' long trailer to haul my farmall 45 with FEL tractor around on. It has 3 3,500lb axles instead of say 2 5,400lb axles. Will this affect the handling of the trailer at all? It is a steal at $1,200. I won't be going more than 30 miles one way.

Would think you should be just fine. It may ride slighly different and be tougher for tight radius turns. Its nice having the extra wheels incase of a blowout. I towed a 26 foot 14k 2 axle deckover for 7 years almost every day and for about two years towed a 40 foot triple axle 15k boat trailer. Didnt notice any difference other than the length of the trailer.

Diamondpilot · Feb 7, 2012

I have owned multiple 3 axle trailers and liked them.

Chris

Herkypilot · Feb 7, 2012

Seem to remember reading in NC DMV laws required a CDL to pull a 3 axle trailer or something like that. I know it wasn't standard, there was something extra. Other states, I'm sure are different.

hosspuller · Feb 7, 2012

Herkypilot said:
Seem to remember reading in NC DMV laws required a CDL to pull a 3 axle trailer or something like that. I know it wasn't standard, there was something extra. Other states, I'm sure are different.

NC classifies trailers by weight. Axles are not a factor. CDL is required for commercial drivers or vehicles over 26,000 pounds rating.

Class C (cars) recently changed to allow trailers over 10,000 pounds but less than 26000 combined rating. (adult drivers only)

Example: 14,000 pound trailer pulled by a dually rated at 11,800 is okay with a class c license.

slowzuki · Feb 8, 2012

Not sure about down there but up here many tolls are by axle, not a bit deal unless you have to go through it every day.

EddieWalker · Feb 8, 2012

My parents have a three axle trailer and it's a aweful. While going strait, it's fine, but when you turn, you can see the tires twisting under the side loads of being pushed sideways. Three axle trailers do not like to turn!!!!!

I would go two axle with duels if you wanted to carry more weight. I would never own a three axle trailer.

Eddie

Diamondpilot · Feb 8, 2012

I have to disagree with Eddie on this one. I have pulled well over 100 3 axle trailers. Very common in the boating industry. I have never had a tire issue. Actually the tires to me are a advantage. They are cheaper and a more common size so finding them when you have a flat or blow out on a trip is much easier. You also have 50% more brakes. To some this is a negative but not to me. I would rather have 50% more brakes and bearings to maintain because the advantages outweigh the disadvantages.

The other factor is load height. I have had the same boat on a 2 axle trailer with 5,200# axles and on the same trailer but with 3 3,500# axles. The load set 6" lower which makes it that much easier to tow, get under bridges, under barn doors, ect. Not only do the tires size lower the load but also the springs on a 3,500 vs a 5,200 are about 4" lower so along with the 2" less tire height you get the advantage.

The load height will also be a advantage on a flat deck/equipment trailer like you are looking at. The ramp angle will also be less for easier loading. To me its a no brainer, buy this trailer if its what you want and need.

Yes, I see some tire flex but I have never had a tire issue because of it. I would take a 5 axle trailer over a dual tandem like I used to have on my 30' GN 25,000# GVWR trailer. Talk about a pain.

Chris

slowzuki · Feb 8, 2012

In commercial trailer design, you do tend to have to derate a bit for triple axles. Turning while fully loaded is a lot of scrub on the leading and lagging axles. You can bend / break spindles/hubs/rims while doing this. Gooseneck being jackknifed fully loaded is the worst. Watch the flex on the spindle, sometimes you can hear the drum rubbing the backing plate while this is going on.

Sterff · Feb 8, 2012

Just make sure they are not mobile home axles.

jeffsw6 · Feb 8, 2012

Diamondpilot said:
The other factor is load height. I have had the same boat on a 2 axle trailer with 5,200# axles and on the same trailer but with 3 3,500# axles. The load set 6" lower which makes it that much easier to tow, get under bridges, under barn doors, ect.

I always figured the reason for a lot of relatively small boat trailers having 3 axles is so it is easier to get the boat into the water -- don't have to back as far down the ramp. I've pulled a 3 axle trailer that was only for a 6000# boat, I don't know how much fuel and personal items added to that, but it seemed silly to me... until I realized how easy it was to get that boat in the water because it rode so low!

Diamondpilot · Feb 8, 2012

jeffsw6 said:
I always figured the reason for a lot of relatively small boat trailers having 3 axles is so it is easier to get the boat into the water -- don't have to back as far down the ramp. I've pulled a 3 axle trailer that was only for a 6000# boat, I don't know how much fuel and personal items added to that, but it seemed silly to me... until I realized how easy it was to get that boat in the water because it rode so low!

Yes, it does help. The only other option is to make a long enough tongue to keep the truck out of the water. I love my tri-axle Eagle trailer that I pull my 32' WellCraft on. Its got 6,000# axles and for a 18,000# GVWR but only weighs 15,600# with my stuff, fuel, and water onboard.

Chris

LD1 · Feb 8, 2012

Sterff said:
Just make sure they are not mobile home axles.

Whats wrong with MH axles?

My trailer has MH axles. Although if I had a choice, I would rather have standard spindles instead of the dayton style with the odd 14.5" tire.

But most MH axles are rated @ 6klbs +. They are built pretty beefy.

I have heard all of the "claims" that the spindle material is a softer steel, or they use cheap bearings that dont last, etc, etc, etc.

But the fact is, I have a MH axles and NEVER had any issues. And I have seen a LOT of trailers around with MH axles. So they must not be all that bad.

jeffsw6 · Feb 8, 2012

aren't they made for moving mobile homes at like 20 miles per hour a few dozen miles a few times in their lifetime? I don't really know, I'm just thinking there must be an obvious reason why every cargo trailer isn't made with recycled mobile home axles.

Soundguy · Feb 8, 2012

they scuff some on tight turns.. but otherwise not too bad..

Sterff · Feb 8, 2012

LD1 said:
Whats wrong with MH axles?

My trailer has MH axles. Although if I had a choice, I would rather have standard spindles instead of the dayton style with the odd 14.5" tire.

But most MH axles are rated @ 6klbs +. They are built pretty beefy.

I have heard all of the "claims" that the spindle material is a softer steel, or they use cheap bearings that dont last, etc, etc, etc.

But the fact is, I have a MH axles and NEVER had any issues. And I have seen a LOT of trailers around with MH axles. So they must not be all that bad.

Try to find a new wheel or tire that fits when you blow one on the side of the road.

Diamondpilot · Feb 8, 2012

Sterff said:
Try to find a new wheel or tire that fits when you blow one on the side of the road.

That and around here the DOT will be all over you with MH axles. They consider them limited use, MH one time use only.

I hate them with a passion. Trying to get the wheel true is also a pain. I flat refuse to work on them or pull them in my side business.

Chris

LD1 · Feb 8, 2012

Never had to have someone come and repair a tire on the road. But the local tire shop that I get tires for everything for (tractor, cars, etc) carries the 14.5's.

An they are NOT "limited" use. Another misconception.

And around here, DOT only cares if the tires say "mobile home use only". They DO make tires that do not say that.

Case485Guy · Feb 8, 2012

deltabowhunter said:
I have the chance to get a fairly decent 76" wide by 20' long trailer to haul my farmall 45 with FEL tractor around on. It has 3 3,500lb axles instead of say 2 5,400lb axles. Will this affect the handling of the trailer at all? It is a steal at $1,200. I won't be going more than 30 miles one way.

I'd buy it, just watch tight turns.I would also double check Ar. requirements on brake requirements. Texas changed thiers a few yrs back.Alot of trailers had have brakes added or axles completely replaced to remain legal. Could be an added expense to consider or bargain with if brakes are required and trailer does not have them.

Diamondpilot · Feb 8, 2012

Case485Guy said:
I'd buy it, just watch tight turns.I would also double check Ar. requirements on brake requirements. Texas changed thiers a few yrs back.Alot of trailers had have brakes added or axles completely replaced to remain legal. Could be an added expense to consider or bargain with if brakes are required and trailer does not have them.

Good point. In Texas brakes and a brake-away system are required for any trailer over 4,500#.

Chris