Double or single axle trailer

[bryan28]

I may be buying a 20ft boat next month. I figure total weight of boat, trailer, fuel, motor, etc will be around 3k lbs. I'm sure a tandem trailer would be better but would a single axle trailer without brakes be ok with that weight? I may tow it up to 800 miles one way to TX and back a time or two per year. The truck is a 2017 cc with hemi.

 

[Salsa]

I have had a 20' pontoon with accessories and canvas enclosure includin a 90hp yamaha and have had no issues at all on a single axle, no brakes. It was a special order to go tandum with brakes. Boat, motor & trailer is 2,835 lbs. With fuel & everything else it's over 3k. We don't go to tandem trailer and brakes until 22'. My runabout weighed a little more and was on a single axle. Some times it's a matter of person preference.

 

[bryan28]

Salsa I've been told single axle trailers can get a little squirrely at 70+ mph. Did you ever drive those speeds and, if so, how did it handle?

 

[BWL]

Single axle is no problem as long as you have the right axle and tires on it. I'd go for brakes though. Doesn't have to be tandem to have them. It can get a bit squirely when trying to slow down. Especially on steep down grades. Trailer brakes help keep you a lot straighter under braking.

 

[BWL]

If you have a 1500 i'd says brakes for sure. A 2500 or 3500 you could get by without though.

 

[Crawgator]

I pull a 22.5' bay boat. Total weight around 3500#s. Dual axle trailer. No breaks. I'm very careful pulling especially in the rain. To much upkeep on the trailer breaks in south La. (salt water). 2017 Rebel with 3.92 gears.

 

[GsRAM]

Salsa I've been told single axle trailers can get a little squirrely at 70+ mph. Did you ever drive those speeds and, if so, how did it handle?

Most ST rated trailer tires are speed rated to 65mph, so you should not tow in excess of that or they may overheat and fail and on a single axle traiker, you want to avoid that (i know from experience before i knew better )

 

[CostaRam]

as single axle trailer for a 20ft boat is basically fine.
If you tow the trailer for only a few miles to the ramp and back then no trailer brake maky be fine as well.
If you tow for long distance or hilly country then brakes will make towig your boat much more safer, for you and the others.
Chris

 

[69GWC]

I have a 18' boat and single axle trailer no brakes and pull it with zero problems.
I have no problem stopping it at all, I also pull it with my 98 Explorer just fine.
Trailer brakes would be a plus but not something that you haft to have.

 

[bryan28]

Ordered the boat a couple days ago. I decided to get a tandem with brakes. It was only a few hundred more than single with brakes. Would rather not discover after the purchase that I wished I had the tandem.

 

[RAM DRVR]

Ordered the boat a couple days ago. I decided to get a tandem with brakes. It was only a few hundred more than single with brakes. Would rather not discover after the purchase that I wished I had the tandem.

That's great, I have trailered my boats everywhere. A couple were 5000lbs. Tandem with brakes is best. There are also laws about when brakes are required for towed weight. I think its above 3000lbs in Oregon.

 

[RAM DRVR]

I have a 18' boat and single axle trailer no brakes and pull it with zero problems.
I have no problem stopping it at all, I also pull it with my 98 Explorer just fine.
Trailer brakes would be a plus but not something that you haft to have.

View attachment 116012

I had a 1999 Crownline 202BR for 13 years (on tandem w/brakes) .......... great boats ....

 

[cbsmith]

Tandem axle is always better if you do any longer distance towing. A blowout on a single axle trailer is hairy, with a tandem it isn’t so bad.

 

[rotwiler]

I have a 13 QC 1500 5.7, I tow a 4,000 pound loaded single axle v nose travel trailer and towing it, you have to get weight on hitch or bounces and sways a lot. If I did it again I would for sure get a double axle. I have a bed cover and found if I keep the trailer at 3,500 pounds and load all supplies for camping in the bed, is much better. For sure I would have a trailer brake, I'd cheap to add one, around $100 for good controller (p3)and $15(truck specific) for a harness, takes 15 minutes to install. Plug and play if already have tow package. Saves trucks brakes and I like any safety I can get towing.

 

[Deki]

Ordered the boat a couple days ago. I decided to get a tandem with brakes. It was only a few hundred more than single with brakes. Would rather not discover after the purchase that I wished I had the tandem.

Good call man.

 

[bryan28]

I have a 13 QC 1500 5.7, I tow a 4,000 pound loaded single axle v nose travel trailer and towing it, you have to get weight on hitch or bounces and sways a lot. If I did it again I would for sure get a double axle. I have a bed cover and found if I keep the trailer at 3,500 pounds and load all supplies for camping in the bed, is much better. For sure I would have a trailer brake, I'd cheap to add one, around $100 for good controller (p3)and $15(truck specific) for a harness, takes 15 minutes to install. Plug and play if already have tow package. Saves trucks brakes and I like any safety I can get towing.

My truck has the factory brake controller. That's another reason I wanted a trailer with brakes....so I could use all the features on the truck.

 

[cbsmith]

My truck has the factory brake controller. That's another reason I wanted a trailer with brakes....so I could use all the features on the truck.

Boat trailer won’t have electric brakes on them due to the fact the brakes will be submerged in the water. Boat trailers come with surge hydraulic brakes that apply automatically and do not use the trucks trailer brake controller.

 

[GsRAM]

Good decision! Good luck and congrats!

 

[bryan28]

Boat trailer won’t have electric brakes on them due to the fact the brakes will be submerged in the water. Boat trailers come with surge hydraulic brakes that apply automatically and do not use the trucks trailer brake controller.

Never thought about that. Makes sense

 

[Pull Ya]

If your towing at 70mph please stay the hell away from me on the highway-----and check the speed rating on your trailer tires. Good decision on the tandem axle trailer w/ brakes.
Jay