Double to single axle tongue weight ?

[Oasisbob]

Considering purchase of a single axle Coachmen Clipper 17 BH. Am I correct in my asumption that a single axle trailer (coachmen Clipper `7 BH) will have more tongue weight than a double axle (Bantam B19) I tried to find specs for my Bantam online. No luck. I do run WD bars. Or is tongue weight close in general single or double axle? Thanks

[PartyMarty]

a test drive is by far the best way to know .
tongue weight and the distance from coupler to the trailer axle is a critical dimension on a single axle trailer .
There are some very good handling single axle trailers .
They tend to have a Longer coupler to axle length .
They tend to have more tongue weight .
Consider which handles better .
A trailer with the wheels at the far back end .
Or a trailer with the wheels close to the coupler .
An exaggeration of course , but now you get the concept .
Use the State Of Oregon scales when closed to weigh your prospective set up on every axle including the tow vehicle .
Weigh your old setup the same way .
Weigh your tow rig the same way .
This will help you figure if the new single axle trailer will be a good handling setup .
Boat trailers handle great because the wheels are set back further than a TT .
That is because boats tend to be stern heavy .
Boat trailers adjusted to move the axle back another foot from the factory setup handle exceptionally well .

[mkirsch]

Oasisbob wrote:
So are you saying a single axle trailer may have aprox, the same tongue weight as a double axle dut to location of that one axle? I think I understand?

It could have the same weight. It could weigh more. It could weigh less.

You completely missed the point of my post. There is NO hard and fast rule. Tongue weight depends on a lot of factors. You can NOT assume anything.

[Turtle_n_Peeps]

One thing you have to be more careful with a single axel trailer is weights and balances. A single axel trailer is like a tetter totter. Just a little weight in front or in back of the axel will make a lot of difference in tongue weight. I like to have my single axel trailers loaded tongue heavy. In fact, I like to have all my trailers loaded tongue heavy. All of the boat trailers (single axel) tow just fine. But again, they are tongue heavy.

[AH64ID]

Something else to consider about single axle trailers is that they like to bounce and do not tow nearly as well as a tandem axle trailer.

Personally I wouldn't want to own a single axle utility trailer, let alone a single axle TT. I have towed enough single axle trailers to know to steer clear of them.

[blt2ski]

I'll go with yes to a degree. Assuming both have the same gvwr, ie a single 5K axle vs 2 2500K total 5K axels. Also assuming both are net at about the same on the axel(s) say 3500 lbs.......I find the double axel tows best around 12-15% HW, the SA rig in the 15-18% range.

With this in mind, I would go for yes. BUT, also as noted, as using my above example, then if you are shooting for 12%, then the answer is the HW will be the same.

Reality is, like a lot of questions, the answer may not be a simple yes or no, but a depends on multiple items.

Marty

[Heavy_Metal_Doc]

Oasisbob wrote:
So are you saying a single axle trailer may have aprox, the same tongue weight as a double axle dut to location of that one axle? I think I understand?

No.


Talking in very general round numbers --
You have to think about it this way: They use one axle for around 3500 lbs. Double axle trailers are usually around 5000 lbs or heavier.
No matter what the weight of a trailer is, the tongue weight is kept around 12% for correct balance to make it tow nicely.

So a 3500 lb single axle trailer might be about 400 lbs of tongue weight while a double axle trailer is almost sure to be 550 or higher.

[BarneyS]

Oasisbob wrote:
So are you saying a single axle trailer may have aprox, the same tongue weight as a double axle dut to location of that one axle? I think I understand?

Yes.

[Oasisbob]

So are you saying a single axle trailer may have aprox, the same tongue weight as a double axle dut to location of that one axle? I think I understand?

[Bumpyroad]

mkirsch wrote:
No, you can't assume anything like that.

Tongue weight is a function of the trailer's total weight, and how its laid out, NOT how many axles it has.
.

I would add, position of axle in relation to how it is laid out.
bumpy

[mkirsch]

No, you can't assume anything like that.

Tongue weight is a function of the trailer's total weight, and how its laid out, NOT how many axles it has.

The tongue weight MAY be heavier, but trailer manufacturers try to stick as close to 10% as they can when they build trailers, so they can sell a larger more well appointed trailer to someone with a smaller tow vehicle.

As a general rule, the lighter the trailer the lighter the tongue weight. That said there are always corner cases and trailers with odd configurations that go against the grain.