I'm looking to downsize from a 25' TT to a 16 to 20' trailer and have looked at quite few. As I've purused them a question comes to mind. Should a person have tandum axles or is single OK. I know the length and weight of the TT enters into it but I've seen 19' that have had either setup. Has anyone had problems with the single axle configuration?

For me, tandem is the only way to go. It makes towing so much easier especially on rough roads. Less bounce and smoother ride. There are a few times when getting into a really tight spot that a single trailer might do a little better, but those are rare. Although, I am not sure who makes a tandem 16 footer.

Although they're also designed differently otherwise, single axle is the norm in European trailers in this size range. In my opinion a properly balanced single would be preferable to a double if only for the fact of their being easier on tires. Scrubbing, for example, is a phenomenon limited to multi-axle setups.Some folks think that doubles somehow serve for a sort of "redundancy safeguard"- mistakenly, in my opinion, since a double only divides the load and can't itself take up where the other leaves off in the event of a flat or some other catastrophe.

I think the length and weight of the trailer will determine if it should be single or tandem axle.For what it's worth, my parents towed this 18 foot, 1963 Phoenix travel trailer for years and never had a problem. It's a single axle. I never thought about it when I was a kid. It wasn't until I considered purchasing my first TT that the tandem axles became a consideration, and that was actually AFTER we purchased it.Now, if you look at the set-up my dad had in 1963 (I think the year of this photo is 1965), it was towed with a 1963 Pontiac station wagon. I remember Dad has air bags added to the rear shocks. He always used weight distribution bars, but sway control was unthinkable back then. We traveled all over the country, from New York, to Florida, to Wisconsin, to South Texas for at least 7 years (from the time I was 8 to 15 years old). I do not remember ever having issues with the camper. He never said a word about sway, concerns about flat tires (although I do remember a flat on the car once ... and a water pump going out in Wisconsin). I've seen lots of new trailers (although smaller in size than mine) with single axles. I would honestly believe, that with proper hitching, a single axle would do just fine.

I'll never pull a single axle again. Too much bounce and sway for me, especially if you ever have to go through elk mountain near cheyenne Wyoming. Had a flat on my tandem axle and was able to pull off the tire and limp the whole setup to a repair shop nearby.

I have a simgle axle Lance 1575 and I am very happy with it . I do not have any sway because I use a great WD -Equalizer 4points . Also reduce weight and I can pull it with an Explorer without fear

Single axle vs tandum | Good Sam Community

17 Replies

JIMNLIN
Explorer III
Jul 24, 2013
I've also owned both (non RV) and much prefer the smooth ride/two axle braking of the tandem axle trailers.
Farmerjon
Explorer
Jul 24, 2013
The tandem axle trailer gives a much smoother ride.
I have had single and double axle horse trailers and have had blow outs with both kinds. The blow out with a tandem axle is a non issue. the blow out with the single axle was an exciting experience. you should not be able to see the side of your trailer while driving straight.
Other then very light and short utility trailers I want 2 axles.
69_Avion
Explorer
Jul 24, 2013
The issue that will make a trailer more difficult to back up is the distance from the axle to the coupler. The longer the distance, the easier they are to back up because they aren't as sensitive. You will usually find that the longer distance also helps with their stability when towing. Most tandem axle trailers are longer, which makes them tow great and back up easier. It isn't the axles that make this happen as much as it is the length.
rfryer
Explorer
Jul 23, 2013
I have a single axle 16’ I’ve pulled for over 20 years, no problems at all. It is very sensitive to steering input so many people feel it’s hard to back up. But I take it in some very tight places and the sensitivity and maneuverability is an advantage to me so I think it’s easier to back.

When I first bought it I was concerned about losing control of it if I blew a tire and that was the first question I asked on the forum. The responses were overwhelmingly that was not a concern. Being small and light, 3000# loaded, I also don’t need to bother with WD and sway control which I like.

I’m not sure at what length and weight I’d lean toward dual axles. But the need for WD and sway might be a factor.
spike99
Explorer
Jul 23, 2013
.

If all things are equal, I'd rather pull a tandem axle trailer instead of same size single axle trailer. I've pulled both and find the tandem axle smoother and all-around a much better / more enjoyable pull. Wheel scrubbing under a tandem axle trailer? Under normal driving and backup up conditions, never an issue for me…
69_Avion
Explorer
Jul 23, 2013
I have built many trailers over the past 36 years and most of what I built were tandem axle trailers. The last trailer I built was to use a pickup truck bed and put my 1969 Avion C-11 on it. It has a single 7,000# Flexiride axle under it and I just got back from an approximately 5,000 mile trip. I towed it over the mountains at Silverton and close to the Canadian border in Montana. It didn't sway or create any problems and that includes heavy cross winds and passing semis at freeway speeds along narrow roads.
There are pros and cons to both. The redundancy of a tandem axle is nice, but if you use a rubber torsion tandem axle, you don't have the equalizer which is very nice to reduce the strain on the axles. In fact, many rubber torsion axle manufacturers recommend that you use a 1.25 weight ratio when selecting your rubber torsion tandem axles. Keep in mind, over a large bump one of the rubber torsion axles will take most of the load. Having said that, rubber torsion axles give a better ride, and that is why I selected one for my single axle trailer. I also set it up to use the same tires and rims as my F-350 so I now have two spares. The way your trailer will tow has more to do with how well it is made and the quality of axles used than it does which axle arraingement you select.
My single axle trailer towed exceptionally well for about 5,000 miles with no WDH and I had about 6,000# on it, including the trailer weight.
RobertRyan
Explorer
Jul 23, 2013
Francesca Knowles wrote:
Although they're also designed differently otherwise, single axle is the norm in European trailers in this size range. In my opinion a properly balanced single would be preferable to a double if only for the fact of their being easier on tires. Scrubbing, for example, is a phenomenon limited to multi-axle setups.

Single Axles are fine in lighter units, tandems and triple axles come into play when the weight of the towable is considerable.
tglazier
Explorer
Jul 23, 2013
The biggest difference you are going to notice is the cargo carrying capacity is usually much less on a single axle compared to a tandem axle.
lgarcia
Explorer
Jul 23, 2013
We have had no issues with our single axle TT. Backs up like a dream and no sway.
pronstar
Explorer
Jul 23, 2013
Much easier to back-up (in a straight line anyway) a multi-axle trailer.