Help from people who use bumper pull trailers

Optimistic Paranoid wrote:
And AFAIK if you cross into another state, THEIR laws control, not the state your trailer is registered in. In NY, anything over 1,000 lbs needs brakes. Here's the different laws:

https://drivinglaws.aaa.com/tag/trailer-brakes/

More bullsheet from O P. For the rest of us living in the real world, never seen a 3klb gvw trailer that came with brakes...ever and unless you are gettin the finger wave from a DOT cop (I mean the kind that requires a latex glove, not to be confused with the finger shake gesture, lol) noone will ever look at your little single axle trailer for brakes.
Why? Because they don't need them and they aren't required in 90% of states. Just like other obscure laws.

And to add back that often missing aire of practicality, an HD pickup has no need for trailer brakes on a small little trailer like that.

Backing won't be much of an issue. You already have the concept down so it's just a matter of going slower and making adjustments that are not as pronounced as they would be with a longer trailer. I have a single axle landscaping trailer that doesn't have brakes. I haul a riding mower mostly but occasionally something heavy. Certainly I don't travel more than a few miles with anything heavy. If I had it to do over again, I would get a tandem axle trailer. Simply for the peace of mind of knowing if I have a blow out, I can safely get the trailer off the road to an area to change the tire.

Backing sharply will scrub the tires on a tandem. Not a big factor though.

I have had several cargo trailers, both single and tandem, for my work. Now I greatly prefer single axle. Why? Because I'd get so darn many tire punctures with a tandem, always in the rear tires. Seems like the first tire would throw any nail or screw into perfect position to jab into the rear tire. Yes, a tandem will let you limp to the tire store... but in my experience a single axle trailer is far less likely to need the tire store!

In addition, your tire replacement cost will be cut in half when you need only 2 tires instead of 4.

To answer your question about the difference between backing a 5th wheel and a bumper hitch is the pivot point. The 5th wheel pivots at the back wheels of the tow truck and the bumper hitch pivots at the rear bumper of the tow truck.

That is what you will notice, not whether it has one or more axels.

A tandem axle is less bouncy as it tends to float over dips in the roads. I have towed trailers over 65 years and prefer a tandem when towing for many reasons. Brakes can be had on any number of axles. I would recommend following state laws wherever the trailer will be towed..

BB_TX wrote:
Even my 12’ utility trailer has axles with brake mount flanges. On my list of things to do.

I used R&P carriages for my brake kit in case you need a source.

And AFAIK if you cross into another state, THEIR laws control, not the state your trailer is registered in. In NY, anything over 1,000 lbs needs brakes. Here's the different laws:

https://drivinglaws.aaa.com/tag/trailer-brakes/

In PA, GTWR of 3,000# & up require trailer brakes. You will have 3.5k axle for that size trailer without brakes. So, 12x6 or 7' will weigh about 1200# empty or more leaving you 1800 legal cargo capacity maximum to work with. Spare tire weigh comes out of that since spare tires are options on cargo trailers.
I had a 10x6x6 enclosed cargo trailer, single axle, no brakes. I used to have it max loaded with band and sound gear and it would push my Ford Expedition around at stop lights!
With the much better weight capacity and having brakes considered, I strongly recommend a tandem axle version. IMHO, anything over 10' NEEDS brakes.
When shopping for cargo trailers, keep in mind the advertised size is the EXTERNAL box dimensions. And different makers will have different interior dimensions even with the same basic sizing. On my little 8.5x4x4, I can fit a standard 4x8 sheet of plywood only if it's tilted. However, it was still 3" bigger interior width than the other common local brand.

The question about single or tandem axles should be driven based on what you are planning to haul. Find out the load rating of the single axle trailer and see if it has enough payload to accommodate your heaviest needs in the future. Otherwise, get the tandem axle which can carry more weight.

About backing up single vs tandem? With a 2500 silverado, you will not notice anything different between a single and a tandem. However, if you plan to move the trailer by hand, tandem axle trailers, even very well balanced trailers that have a tongue weight light enough you can reasonably lift by hand, will still be difficult to turn. Whereas a single axle of the same weight and length is very easy to turn by hand because it's pivoting on only 1 tire instead of 2.

I have a 10 x 6 foot bed open utility trailer with a single axle. I keep a tongue wheel on the tongue jack and moving the thing around by hand (on my aslphalt drive way) is extremely easy. However, it it had tandem axles, I know it would be much harder to turn it, due to simple friction on the 2nd set of tires.

Basically, the single vs tandem axle question should be driving based on your anticipated load weight, not how convenient or inconvenient it may be to navigate by hand.

Even my 12’ utility trailer has axles with brake mount flanges. On my list of things to do.

I currently have 3 flatbed trailers. 2 single axle 1 double. None have electric brakes. And in tens of thousands of miles towing them have never wished I had them either.

If you're not pulling enough weight to warrant a double axle, I don't see where you would need trailer brakes given your TV.

Like stated, double axle is nice in case of a flat. In over 30 years pulling trailers I've had one flat, and it was on a double axle. Made things much easier on the side of the interstate.

Backing up makes not difference to me on double or single. The longer the trailer, the easier to back up.