Choosing a trailer starts with the load you’re carrying, not the number of wheels you see. A single-axle trailer can be easier to own and maneuver, while a dual-axle trailer can provide the size and capacity needed for regular heavy duty work. In the United States, a two-axle trailer is usually called a tandem axle trailer. Here’s how to decide which setting is right for your load, tow vehicle and route.
The best place to start is the heaviest usual load. Think about what you carry on a typical workday, and then include the items that travel with it. A compact machine may have a bucket, forks, fuel and chains. Transporting a car may include spare wheels and tools. These items count towards the trailer load.
Finally, consider how you use the trailer. Short trips to a local property, daily commutes between jobs, and long highway trips place different demands on a trailer. Also consider where you will park and turn it around. A larger trailer may fit on the road, but is awkward in a tight yard.
A single axle trailer has one axle and two wheels. It is often lighter and easier to move into a small storage space. With fewer tires and bearings to inspect or replace, ownership can also be simpler. This makes it a practical choice when the load and deck size are within the trailer’s ratings.
This is the central point in comparing a single-axle and tandem-axle trailer: two axles do not automatically make a trailer suitable for your load. The ratings, dimensions, brakes and construction of the finished trailer determine what it can do.
The tandem example has twice the GVWR, but not twice the payload. Its heavier build uses up some of the extra rating before putting anything on the deck.
Let’s say the load is a 3,400-pound car plus 100 pounds of equipment. Exceeds the 2,300-pound payload of the single-axle example. It’s within the 5,000-pound calculated payload of the tandem example, but that’s just the first check. The car still needs to fit and the ramps, tires, wheels, anchor points and tow vehicle must be suitable.
Ask for the empty weight of the finished trailer. A winch, spare wheel, tool box, or a different ramp arrangement can change that. Never use an axle capacity as a substitute for payload. Find the trailer’s GVWR and each axle’s Gross Axle Weight Rating, or GAWR, on its certification label or VIN plate.
The load type gives you a useful starting point, but should never replace a check of the individual trailer’s ratings. The same trailer category can be built in various sizes and weight classes.
A single shaft may be sufficient for household goods, a small mower, or occasional yard work. Its lower empty weight and compact size come in handy if you’re storing the trailer in a short driveway or stowing it by hand.
A machine’s published weight may not include any attachments you bring to a job site. Add buckets, forks, fuel, and anything else they bring to the trailer. Check the ramp capacity as well as the overall payload. Note where the machine’s tires or tracks are located on the deck. A load concentrated in one area may require more than a simple GVWR check. Ask the manufacturer about the construction of the trailer cover and the recommended loading position for this type of machine.
A properly loaded tandem axle trailer can feel more stable on a rough road or highway. Its load is supported through more tires and suspension points. The length of the trailer, the condition of the suspension, the tire pressure and the position of the load still affect how the towing vehicle tracks. Two axles cannot cure a bad load or prevent trailer sway.
A second axle can help you maintain control if a tire fails. It does not make the damaged tire safe to drive on. Slow down, approach safely and inspect the trailer before proceeding.
A smaller single axle trailer is often easier to fit in a small yard. A tandem trailer generally needs more turning space and its tires can scrape the pavement during tight turns. Deck length also affects handling, so compare full trailers instead of attributing all the differences to axle count.
Ask whether you will use the additional capacity of the tandem trailer often enough to justify its weight and maintenance. If your normal load fits a well-rated single axle, the simpler setup may serve you well. If your work regularly exceeds this capacity, a cheaper trailer that can’t do the job is no bargain.
A trailer can have enough payload for your load and still be too heavy for the vehicle pulling it. Check the towing capacity for your vehicle’s exact configuration, along with payload, rear GAWR, hitch rating, and gross combined weight or GCWR.
The loading position affects the weight of the tongue. Moving a machine forward generally increases it; moving the machine back usually reduces it. Neither position should be chosen by guesswork for a number to appear acceptable. Follow trailer and vehicle manufacturers’ loading instructions and check the combination after loading.
Once you’ve narrowed down the choice to one or two trailers, take the loading details to the manufacturer or dealer. Request ratings for the setup you receive, including your chosen ramps, brakes, and accessories.
Three Horses Trailer can discuss deck dimensions, deck height, accessories and brake options based on intended load and target market. Please provide load weight, load dimensions, towing vehicle and intended use so that the proposed configuration can be checked before production.
Choose a single-axle trailer when it offers your regular load enough payload and deck space, and is sized to fit your tow vehicle and storage area. Choose a tandem axle trailer when your load, deck requirements, or work schedule require a larger setup. The final decision should come from the specifications of the finished trailer and how much weight you will actually put on it.
These questions arise because the axle count is easy to see, while the important ratings are usually on a label. Use the individual trailer specifications when applying any general advice.
