Single or tandem axle

[Devildogvet]

Are single or tandem axels easier to back up and why? I have owned both and think a dual tandem axel is easier to navigate into tight spot but don't understand why. A single axel seams to jack knife more.

[profdant139]

A dual axle is safer for towing -- if a tire blows, you have a better chance of handling the event.

Both of my trailers have been little single axles -- no one makes a 12 foot trailer like mine with two axles. Very tricky to back up, but we have learned how with much trial and error.

[Mark_and_Linda]

Long trailer, short truck is what works for me. My driveway has a culvert on both sides at the street. I can pull up with my Puma and put it in with no problem. My short utility trailer takes some working with to get it in. A few years ago I was embarrassed when trying to back my son's Ford 150 and his boat trailer at a parking spot near the lake. Backing takes practice...

[Acdii]

tatest wrote:
A tandem axle trailer is slightly more resistant to changing direction of travel. Whether tat works for or against you depends on trailer - tow vehicle geometry and your own skills. From personal experience, a short single axle trailer is easier to back into very tight places but can jack knife very quickly.

This right here. having two sets of tires does make the trailer more resistant to turning, but distance between wheels and pivot are also key factors. A single axle trailer that is 25' long will cut faster than the same trailer with an extra axle behind it. If you ever watch a tandem back you will see that the tires scrub as they turn since they don't pivot on a vertical axis like your steer tires, and that scrubbing slows the cut.

[seaeagle2]

I can tell you my single axle boat trailers were far easier to back up, they have a long tongue and the wheels are much farther back than my TT.

[coolbreeze01]

Need skill to back really short trailers.

[C_B_]

Long or short truck IMHO doesn't matter.


What matters is the distance from the hitch to the trailer wheels.

Short distance reacts faster than long distance.


C.B.

[Campfire_Time]

SoCalDesertRider wrote:
It really doesn't matter at all how many axles or how many tires are on the trailer, or the truck. What matters most is the length of trailer and the length of truck.

A long truck and a short trailer is misery to park.

A short truck and a long trailer are heaven.

This!

[NanciL]

My four foot long John Deere garden tractor is the hardest trailer in the world to back up

Jack L

[tatest]

A tandem axle trailer is slightly more resistant to changing direction of travel. Whether tat works for or against you depends on trailer - tow vehicle geometry and your own skills. From personal experience, a short single axle trailer is easier to back into very tight places but can jack knife very quickly.

[SoCalDesertRid1]

It really doesn't matter at all how many axles or how many tires are on the trailer, or the truck. What matters most is the length of trailer and the length of truck.

A long truck and a short trailer is misery to park.

A short truck and a long trailer are heaven.

[WNYBob]

The most critical part of the equation is the distance from the pivot point to the axle. The greater the distance the easier it is to back up.

That's why a boat trailer is easier to back up than a short utility trailer.

[jmtandem]

Are single or tandem axels easier to back up and why? I have owned both and think a dual tandem axel is easier to navigate into tight spot but don't understand why. A single axel seams to jack knife more.

Longer trailers are typically easier to back up than shorter ones. Most longer trailers are tandem axles. Maybe that helps in sorting out your question.