Gdetrailer wrote:
"Blowouts" are a sudden loss of pressure event which will depressurize the tire so fast the TPMS will never register it fast enough to make any difference what so ever.
A single axle trailer, you will notice a change in handling pretty quick since there is no other tire on the side to hide the flat.
People live and die that "Technology" will save them, this is a case of TPMS will alarm well after the fact and during the time you are fighting the trailer to a safe stop so you will be well aware of the flat.
TPMS might make some difference on dual axle trailers, since you have two tires on each side you may not notice much change in handling..
But in reality no one should ever rely on TPMS to tell the hole story, it is not a substitute for physical inspections, should always check your tire pressures daily and verify that the tires do not have any physical changes or damages whenever you get out of the vehicle for rest stops..
I always do a quick walk around my trailer and vehicle to verify both do not have any noticeable physical damage to the tires. I make sure they appear to have "normal" aired up look meaning that they look like they have plenty of air pressure every time we fuel up, or stop for rests or food.
Anybody notice the if a tire fails on a car, it is most often a flat, but trailers never have a flat, just "blowouts"?
Over the years, with single axle trailers, I have noticed bike, top of popup, or wielder leaning more than normal, stopped and changed a flat tire. OTOH, my car hauler, and another tandem utility trailer, stopped after blowout.
I have to think a road hazard, like nail or screw lets pressure drop to the point the tire is overloaded. Heat buildup causes tire to come apart. I know for a fact, watched with my own eyes, a tire can be unseated from bead, and still come apart and beat the trailer. If I did not see it happen, but just saw the results, I would call it a "blowout".
I don't know enough about TPM to say anything. But I still say if you have to "struggle" to control your rig because of a
trailer tire failure, there is issues that are not related to, but existed before, the tire failure.
wanderingaimlessly wrote:
One other thought towards the harder to back item.
Rent a single axle trailer and try backing it. It will give you an idea of how the shorter trailer increases the effect of small changes in direction. A half hour in a parking lot may change your opinion, or at the least give you some comfort in the change.
Think you're mixing apples and watermelons.
There is no doubt that a short trailer will react quicker to TV input than a long one. Most say a long trailer is easier to back. Most cases, true. But if space is limited parking short my be tight, long trailer impossible. (My experience tells me wheelbase of TV/length trailer pivot point of hitch to axle(s) means more than just trailer length.
Now 2 trailers the same length, 1 tandem, the other single axle centered same place as tandem, the tandem might track better if backing straight, but turning is easier with single axle.
