A friend has a Fraser 5.4 mtr boat with a big E tech on the back, total weight , about 2 ton.
Just wondering if the single axle trailer he bought with the package can handle it?
It's a Escort trailer....
How big a boat should you go twin axle trailer.
thanks
randell
Hi Randell, There is not really enough information there to make any definitive comments.
But generally you first need to look at the tyre and rim capacity and if they are rated to the load, then you need to work back to your suspension and axle. So the springs would need to be measured assuming normal leaf springs, so the leaf thickness, how wide, and how many leaves.
then the axle, measure the diameter if round or the width if square. Any trailer parts shop such as Probar Caboolture will be able to give you some ratings of components, they are very knowlegable and helpful.
If it is a recently built trailer then it should have a compliance plate on it stating the ATM and GTM, if not then you will have to do all the maths.
With run of the mill components, most boat trailers go to about 1500KG before going to dual axle, but there heavier single axle setups available that can go up to about 1900KG but less common. Of course you can go into commercial vehicle setups after that which go much higher but very rare on boat trailers as dual axle is more cost effective.
5.4m 2 ton? Must be a very solid boat.....prob towards the max load for a single but as above, depends on many different things
My experience is the tyres are the issue. I've upgraded mine twice after blowing out rubber that should have handled the load but weren't up to it. And blowing a boat tyre puts a lot of pressure on any loose bolts, particularly around the brakes.
hi ,just to put my 5cents in ,i purchaced a new bayliner cuddy on a twin axle trailer,just on 2 ton.the trailer has a breakaway system fitted which is law in nsw.What i found while doing my home work is in the usa this boat is on a single axle trailer.After using this boat for 6 months u would not have it on a single axle trailer(it would tow like a pig)The other problem you might have with a single axle trailer is the ball weight on the towball would be excessive.
Escort trailers are USA built, part of Brunswick corp, unless someone uses the name here .
In USA they use heavy singles because they tow with pick up trucks, if she has 6 stud hubs she will have 5500 lb axles and 15" tyres, depending on the tyres used she could be good for well over 2000 kg.
Hey Randell,
2 ton on a single axle is absolutely too much - for a lot of reasons. Too much ball weight; high risk of blowing a tyre; a lot of stress on chassis & drawbar - not to mention the cars rear end. Will tow like pig etc. etc.
You need to convert to Tandem. It will tow a lot better. If you have a flat - you can still drive it safely on 3 wheels to find a safe spot to replace the wheel. The trailer will basically almost support it's own weight with the towing vehicle just there to pull it along.
First step though, is to run it over a weighbridge to find out what she really weighs.
Mark
Thanks guys for your comments.
Bluey plans to weigh it today and is interested in a 2nd hand tandem, although he says it tows like a dream, but has blown a couple of tyres.
The trailer need a few u bolts replaced..... and the brake disks.........
Any 2nd tandems around, but it has to fit the Fraser Formula 1994-6 ?
I'll post the weight...
thanks from Bluey, an ex Tweed fisher.
randell
I have to disagree on the too much ball weight and towing like a pig with a 2 ton boat on a single axle trailer.
If it's set up well it'll tow better then a tandem setup that's set up poorly or even ordinary.
Actually in a lot of cases I reckon a well thought out and setup single axle trailer would be better then a tamdem trailer.
Cheers Alfred
I intend on living for-ever....so far so good
i agree with Alfie on that........2T single axle is fine if set up properly.
Dan
Confidence.......the feeling you get before you fully understand the situation.
hmmmmm - that's a bit of a blanket statement there finga and somewhat confusing. Obviously, even a well set up single axle trailer will outperform a poorly set up tandem. Given that a tandem is properly built - with the axles and winch post in the right place - there is no comparison between the two. - It's like chalk and cheese.Originally Posted by finga
With 2 ton on a single axle trailer - you would have to have the axle pretty far forward - otherwise you are going to have 500 kgs or more on the ball. With the axle that far forward - I wouldn't want to be driving at highway speeds.
A well made tandem will put far less stress on both the actual trailer and the towing vehicle; be way safer to tow. In my view (and you might say I have a bit of expreience in this area) any set up that is more than 1.5 tonne GVM, should be on a tandem axle.
Mark
Only if you are towing with a V8 Landcruiser/F250 or better...................
hmmmmm - that's a bit of a blanket statement there finga and somewhat confusing. Obviously, even a well set up single axle trailer will outperform a poorly set up tandem. Given that a tandem is properly built - with the axles and winch post in the right place - there is no comparison between the two. - It's like chalk and cheese.
Why is it chalk and cheese??
That's a blanket statement
If they're both set up OK then a single axle will probably suit a lot of people better seeing they're easier to maneuver into tight spots like peoples back yards without scrubbing tyres out and less maintenance due to the fact of having only one axle, one set of brakes and only two tyres.
With 2 ton on a single axle trailer - you would have to have the axle pretty far forward - otherwise you are going to have 500 kgs or more on the ball. With the axle that far forward - I wouldn't want to be driving at highway speeds.
Why do you have to have the axle towards the front??
Balance point, or ball weight on a single axle trailer can be exactly the same as with a tandem trailer. All you have to do is move the axle about a bit to get the correct ball weight.
A well made tandem will put far less stress on both the actual trailer and the towing vehicle; be way safer to tow. In my view (and you might say I have a bit of expreience in this area
A well made single axle trailer will be made in the same manner. Consideration such as strength within the trailer for it's intended purpose would be paramount wouldn't it?
What is wrong with having the structure designed to carry 2 ton? If the frame, springs, axle, wheels and brakes are well within the specifications then there should never be a problem.
Most problems occur when people use under-rated items on their trailers. Tyres with incorrect load/speed ratings is a prime example.
Why is a tandem less stress on the prime mover??
MarkWhy?? My Pajero can tow 2.5ton. No mention of dual axle necessary.
What is the downward ball weight rating on a cruiser or F truck??
The design and setup of the trailer is the crucial factor. If a single or dual axle trailer is not set up well then it'll handle like a pig at any more then 60km/hr
I have 'adjusted' the axles of dual trailers that have been over 50mm out of 'triangulation' in relation to the hitch point. No wonder it was 'crabbing' and not handling.
I would love for someone to explain to me the specifics why a tandem axle trailer is safer then a single axle trailer if they are both set up well and they're both designed for their intended purpose of moving a 2 ton boat.
Cheers Alfred
I intend on living for-ever....so far so good
One thing and it has been mentioned, getting a flat, give me a tandem any day. The heavier the boat the more things can go pear shaped when having a flat at speed or a failed bearing.
Hey Finga,
OK, I will try to fit in as much as possible, while I am having a morning tea break(such as it is). Firstly, the ONLY advantage that you have with a single axle trailer is that it is easier to move around by hand in a confined area. Mind you - I don't think I would like to be manhandling 2 tons around anyway.
That being said - you can easily move a tandem trailer with non load sharing suspension around reasonably easy as well, simply be winding the Jockey wheel right up - thereby taking some of the weight off the front wheels. Or by pushing the nose of the trailer, to the ground - taking weight off the back wheels. How easy this is depends on a number of factors relating to trailer design, where the weight and balance point is etc. So it is very much a suck it and see scenario.
Other than that - evrything else - is in favour of a tandem axle trailer:-
1) 4 wheels on the ground versus 2. Has to be twice as stable as the load is spread out over a larger area.
2) 2 sets of wheels - will track (follow behind) better than only 1. - Of course, they have to be set up correctly.
3) If you have a flat tyre - it is quite safe to continue driving (carefully) until you either get to a safe stopping point to change the wheel - or even drive to the closest garage, home - wherever. - With a single axle - you have to stop wherever you are - often in the worst possible place, with no road verge. If you don't have a spare - you are in trouble.
4) As above - if you have a blow out at highway speed on a single axle - there is a very real chance of either; flipping the boat and trailer; being thrown into the next lane, oncoming traffic - or off the road altogether. This risk is even greater when you have 2 ton behind you.
5)Re;- Towball weight and towbar rating. Most family 6 cyl cars - have downward load ratings of 100 - 150kgs max; - 4wd's with 2.5t rating would be up to about 200- 220kgs; - 4wd's rated to 3500kgs; - around 250kgs - some up to 300kgs but that is about it. Now if you have 2 ton on a single pivot point - of course you are going to have a substantial amount of weight on the ball. - certainly a lot more than the average family 6 or mid sized 4WD is legally rated for. That is why your axles and springs are on a sub frame - as well as the winch post - so they can be moved to find that sweet spot, that allows the boat to be towed at highway speeds without fishtailing whilst still maintaing a correct ball weight. Tandem axle trailers can support the entire load weight on 4 wheels - and the towing vehicle is simply there to pull it along the road. As above, you need to position the boat correctly on the trailer to comply with the downward load rating.
That is why I say only with a vehicle rated to at least 3 ton that has a downward load rating of more that 250kgs.
I could probably add a bit more and I hope what I have said makes sense - as I don't really have time to edit it ATM
Mark
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