Handling Differences Between 3 axles and 2?

[rebelback]

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]

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]

I have owned multiple 3 axle trailers and liked them.

Chris

 

[Herkypilot]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

Just make sure they are not mobile home axles.