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Ok fellas , here is the dilemma, I have a 18' tandem axle flatbed trailer that I built 5 years ago with a set of tandem equalized leaf sprung 2k axles that I acquired second hand from a old boat trailer . The trailer was originally built for 2 rzr's. They have given up and I will be replacing the axles soon. I am considering replacing the axles with a single 7k axle . I have pulled tandem trailers on trips exceeding 3k miles and weighing in excess of 7K lbs. and have had my share of blowouts and problems associated with trailering . I recently had to replace 5 tires on a 3 horse trailer while traveling to Colorado elk hunting(2500 round trip). I will seldom exceed 4k on this trailer
Here are some of the pro's and cons of trailer axles I have observed.
Tandem equalized axles (leaf springs) :
PRO's
tongue height is not critical (deck angle)
handles uneven terrain well
-moderate priced
Con's
Tire wear from worn or damaged suspension parts (lead and follow miss alignment)
Cost of 4 of every thing
Tires are easily damaged while twisting ( U turns )
Single Axle ( Leaf springs)
Pros
least expensive to purchase
inexpensive to maintain
Not sensitive to bed angle.
U turn friendly
Cons
Additional weight rating required for equal load as a pair of tandems
Torsion axle single
Pros
low deck height
inexpensive to maintain
Cons
price
suspension is not practical to repair ( must be replaced )
Tandem torsion axels
pros
Can run with one or 2 wheels removed in an emergency
low deck height
Con's
Tongue height and bed level is critical for even distribution of weight on all tires
poor equalization in off road terrain
tires are easily damaged making u- turns
Pricey to buy
suspension is not practical to repair (replace)
I have herd the argument that you can limp in with a flat on tandems , I tried it once and it wasn't pretty. you can remove a wheel on a tandem torsion axle and run but I would not go to far .
Any how let me know what you folks are trailering with.
Here are some of the pro's and cons of trailer axles I have observed.
Tandem equalized axles (leaf springs) :
PRO's
tongue height is not critical (deck angle)
handles uneven terrain well
-moderate priced
Con's
Tire wear from worn or damaged suspension parts (lead and follow miss alignment)
Cost of 4 of every thing
Tires are easily damaged while twisting ( U turns )
Single Axle ( Leaf springs)
Pros
least expensive to purchase
inexpensive to maintain
Not sensitive to bed angle.
U turn friendly
Cons
Additional weight rating required for equal load as a pair of tandems
Torsion axle single
Pros
low deck height
inexpensive to maintain
Cons
price
suspension is not practical to repair ( must be replaced )
Tandem torsion axels
pros
Can run with one or 2 wheels removed in an emergency
low deck height
Con's
Tongue height and bed level is critical for even distribution of weight on all tires
poor equalization in off road terrain
tires are easily damaged making u- turns
Pricey to buy
suspension is not practical to repair (replace)
I have herd the argument that you can limp in with a flat on tandems , I tried it once and it wasn't pretty. you can remove a wheel on a tandem torsion axle and run but I would not go to far .
Any how let me know what you folks are trailering with.