We are STILL looking for our new TH. we have narrowed it down between a Fuzion or a Raptor, and had been set on a double axle triple slide. We have a one ton dually diesel.But now a triple axle fuzion has caught our eye (price) and it has the king bed, double refrige and fire place. I don't know if it has the party deck, but that is the one thing I could drop off my list.We are intimidated. For some reason, we had it in our heads that a double axle would be a better fit for us.Has anyone had a double then a triple (or vice versa)? What are the differences, in a practical way? Anything noticeable in either direction?Thanks.

I want triple if I ever get one big enough so it will have 3 sets of brakes. I have camping friends w/THs and the double axle has ~$400 G tires and the triple has cheaper E LTs. I seldom go into really tight places so tread scuffing isn't a concern for me. Craig

True, 3 sets of breaks. DH is going to go look at the triple axle next weekend. We pay for covered storage, so that isn't an issue (I believe the triple axle is longer than the particular double axle we were looking at).

Many of the TH MFRs are getting away from the Triple Axle setups because of the strain and forces applied to the suspension during tight turns.

I just went from a 2 axle 37' 5th wheel to a 3 axle 41' TH. I really can't tell a difference between 2 and 3 axle, except when I paid the bill for 6 Michelin Rib's. One thing I do like is having, in my case, three 7,000 pound axles on a 19,000 GVWR trailer. I'll never over-stress the axles.

TH 5th wheel. Differences with double vs.triple axle

15 Replies

Michelle_S
Explorer III
Apr 23, 2014
The Dually trailers had their problem too. While they could carry increased weight, In order to fit the Duals the frame rails had to be closer together and with rigs getting wider and wider created some other issues. Don't know all the details.
valhalla360
Navigator
Apr 23, 2014
Is anyone still making the dually axle trailers (4 tires per axle)?

That strikes me as the better option if you get really heavy.
rtazz17
Explorer
Apr 22, 2014
Allworth wrote:
Breaks -- verb -- renders into two or more pieces.

Brakes -- noun -- devices to stop a vehicle.

Oh boy we have a grammar teacher here.I believe we all knew what he meant..We all make mistakes typing quickly.Theres always one in the crowd!
Spleenstomper
Explorer
Apr 22, 2014
Thanks, everyone. I'm forwarding all of these to DH to read.
Martyn
Nomad
Apr 22, 2014
Water-Bug wrote:
Allworth wrote:
Breaks -- verb -- renders into two or more pieces.

Brakes -- noun -- devices to stop a vehicle.

So he was right. With three axels there is more to break and to brake.

Axel -- Figure skating jump.

Axle -- a pin or shaft on which a wheel or pair of wheels revolve.

:B :B
Norskeman
Explorer
Apr 22, 2014
It is all about weight ratings. Some have gone to a higher weight rating on the axles so they can stay with dual axle.

I prefer dual axle - cost of maintenance/tiresd and cost on toll roads.
45Ricochet
Explorer
Apr 21, 2014
Usually a triple axle will also have a lighter pin weight.
Also a triple axle will scuff tires if you make tight turns very much. Lot of it depends on your load in the garage and weights.
Most all triple axle TH's don't have near the weight their axles supply.
Then the six tire debate over 4 starts :B
And lastly I'd take two 8K axles with disk brakes over three 7k axles with standard brakes any day.
In a perfect world three 7k axles with disk brakes would be my dream, but again nobody on this forum is towing a RV weighing in at ~ 24k lbs. Most of the heavier units don't weight in at more than 20k lbs or 28k combo TV+RV.
Again a triple axle TH usually fits in nicely with a 35 series SWR TV as the pin weight is usually lower.
Water-Bug
Explorer II
Apr 21, 2014
Allworth wrote:
Breaks -- verb -- renders into two or more pieces.

Brakes -- noun -- devices to stop a vehicle.

So he was right. With three axels there is more to break and to brake.
JIMNLIN
Explorer III
Apr 21, 2014
Three 7k axle = 21000 lb of braking performance is hard to beat with any tandem axle trailer in the 16k-18k range with two 8k axles.

My 16k GN stock trailer has three upgraded 6k axle per my request. Thats 18000 lbs of braking performance vs the 5.2k OEM axles. Even at max 16k loads this trailer will stop much quicker than my smaller 11200 lb tandam axle 5er.
Allworth
Explorer II
Apr 21, 2014
Breaks -- verb -- renders into two or more pieces.

Brakes -- noun -- devices to stop a vehicle.