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Dual Tandem or Tri Axle?

A

Anonymous-0

Well-known Member
I'm looking to buy a 10 ton goose neck trailer and want to know if a dual tire tandem goose neck is much better than a tri-axle of the same rating. Looking at a trailer with 3 - 8,000lb axles and a dual tandem with 2 - 10,000lb axles. One advantage is the tri axle's frame is wide and may offer more stability. Disadvantage is turning sharp corners and the tire roll when loaded.

Any recommendations?
 
I have a triple axel but the "BIG" haulers aroumd here use duel tandems. They turn better in close quarters and more stable on narrow roads, when you get near the edge the inside tires are still on the road. The new trailers have an extra crossmember that prevents swaying, may not be new but is new to me.
 
I had an Interstate tandem dual but sold it. I wish I had it back. It was rated at 24,500. It had electric over hydraulic disc brakes. It had a pierced frame so the crossmembers go thru the main rails, not over them so the load is much lower. Over the tires, it had steel plate instead of boards. I pulled a tri axle a few times and they do not turn near as well. Tandem dual has 8 tires on the ground, tri axle has 6 tires, rated at the same load capacity. With some experience with both, I would go with tandem dual, 12 ton rated, pierced frame, electric over hydraulic disc brakes. And buy a few feet longer than you feel you need. After you buy, you will see the need for longer.
 
Tandum all the way.
Triples only make sense if you are long hauling on major highways and seldom ever make a turn.
Take a lesson from the trucking industry. They mostly have tandums or the newer ultra wide tread single wheel set ups.
 

I have a dual tandem which I load to max. I bought it right, but if I were looking for new I would go triaxle if I didn't expect to be making tight turns 2-3 times every time I used it. The biggest advantage to the dual tandem is they make you look more like a real "trucker". I have made one really tight turn in the six years that I have had it. Compare prices, you will see that you could replace a lot of tires for what you will save buying a triaxle. This same topic was recently covered in depth over on the hauling forum.
 
Owned and used both for a LOT of years; the tri-axle I bought used for 1500 bucks because the front axle was twisted (took about 2 days in the shop to make it 'right'). It was a 32 ft cattle trailer and pulled like a dream...........mostly on the highway. Dual/tandem has oil bath bearings, is made heavier and is pretty much indestructible, but pulls 'harder'. If I had it to do over, I'd make the same choices again. For an equipment trailer, dual/tandem hands down.
 
HHHH,Tandem only way to go for a farmer/rancher short haul. The Tri-axle will get you in a storm quicker than you know in a high load situation.
Back in the early days of Gooseneck Cattle trailers, a bunch of cattle haulers around jumped out and bought 36 ft tri-axles when they jockeyed cattle for the locals from farm to auctions, the odd, small places where these guy wound up in caused a lot of damage! Bent wheels, axles, broken studs, springs, hangers.
So most of the tri-axles left here are only uses for the longer haules or where it is easy to get in and out of.
IMO I would rather have 2 10Ks rather than 3 7Ks!
hope this helps.
Later,
John A.
 
I have a tri-3-7's. When we bought in the 90's it was significantly cheaper than an oil bath tandem. Its just for our own antique tractors and some dozer and wood haualing. I personally see no problem with turning and wear. Since 95 its had only two sets of tires- the originals and two years ago, new(the originals pretty much rotted off from age not wear). NOw, I don't haul every day or near it and almost everywhere one goes with a trailer that size has enough room for a non binding turn. Is it the best you can buy? No, but it sure is enough.
 

There are "Pros and Cons" to each...

After driving so many mines (Coast-to-Coast) I would be inclined to go with Tandem Duals because you can get to where you need repairs if you get a flat..
I think you will generally have a lower bed, if you have the Tri-axle singles..
The new Radials are far better than Bias, so flats are not nearly the problem now..
We ran kind of "Hard" and there were a couple times we started out (Cincinnati) with 8 "New" Band-aids on the trailer and by the time we got back from San Bernadino..we had thrown every one of those band-aids..!!
Never ran anything but New on the wagon after that..!!
Tubeless was a Great improvement, too..and "Buds" were so much better than the "Dayton's"..

Ron..
 
The money you save up front will soon be spend buying tires and axle parts. A few sharp turns loaded will have your tri-axle tracking out of line. My brother has one that we keep spring parts on hand as he is always breaking them and the hangers.

I have a dauled tandem that is 14 years old and other than replacing the spring rocker bolts it has never been touched. It is on the second set of NEW tires.

What ever you buy make sure it has NEW trailer tires not used pickup tires on it. Trailer tires have a different side wall and hold up much better on a trailer.
 
We went from a tri axle to a tamden dual and it really worked out nice.You could crank it right around in tight quarters. Pulled it with a one ton so the wheels could interchange if needed,but never needed to. Better floation off road too.
I don't haul much anymore so sold it. Now if I find I need another trailer I won't need to haul as much weight so I would go with a single wheel dual axle setup. I'd still try and go with the oil lubed axles too !
 
I drove truck for 35 years but I don't clam to know it all. But I would go with the duals for sure if it was me. It will pull better, turn better, and easier on your tires to name a few reasons. Just my opinion.
 
Go with the dually for the very reason you said. Eventually,it's awful hard on the springs and shakles too. Voice of experience here.
 
Depends a lot on how much you are going to use it. Wanted a dual but have a tri axle because we don't use it very often. At that time a good used dual was around $8000 and bought a good used tri-axle for $3000. If using a lot and/or buying new, no doubt it would be a dual.
 
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