3 axle compared to a 2 axle duals

L

lenray

Well-known Member

• Mar 15, 2013

• #1

I have a 3 axle gooseneck trailer with the heavy duty 8 bolt rims---How does that compare with a dual axle with duals??? 6 tires compared to 8 tires

Wanting to haul a CAT 416 B BACKHOE.

Thank you

 

H

Hay_Man

Member

• Mar 15, 2013

• #1

I don't like my 3 axle 32' gooseneck, I'd rather have duels on it, because of the better flotation duels offer over the single wheels. In mud, the single wheels sink where the duels wouldn't. I think I could get higher weight rated tires with duels and wet bearings instead of grease packed bearings. Just my 2 cents............

 

jon f mn

Well-known Member

• Mar 15, 2013

• #1

If you have good load range E tires and standard trailer wheels the rating will be right at 7,000 pounds per axle, so you are good to 21,000 on a tri-axle setup. The dual 10,000 pound axles give a bit of extra in the tires and generally hold up better because of it. According to the online lit it weighs between 14,000 and 16,000 so you should be good with some room. A dually to pull it would make a great unit.

 

N

Nathan (SD)

Member

• Mar 15, 2013

• #1

I never had a problem with greased axles but I too like to see the oil in the lube style axles.

 

jon f mn

Well-known Member

• Mar 15, 2013

• #1

If you pull the trailer regularly the oil bath are
good, but for farmers where they sit for long
periods the seals can dry out and leak. I had a
quite a bit of trouble with that over the years and
on some trailers just started to pack the bearings
with grease and never had any trouble after that.
Not that that's the best, it was just a solution
that worked for some.

 

S

Super Trucker

Member

• Mar 15, 2013

• #1

I have a tandem dual 25 +5 trailer and it pulls like a ton of bricks. It has greased bearings and load range F tires.Would like to get the same trailer in a 3 axle configuration. I don't have anything against the trailer other than it pulls hard.

 

R

rrlund

Well-known Member

• Mar 15, 2013

• #1

Only problem I have with a tri axle is turning real short. It puts quite a strain on the tires and spring shackles.

 

showcrop

Well-known Member

• Mar 15, 2013

• #1

If you are just asking about one haul, either trailer will do it the LBH weighs about 14,000 the triaxle gross is 21,000 the tandem dual is 22,400. Conventional wisdom is tandem dual like I have is better. But some other things to consider is yes, you will scrub and wear the front axle tires when turning sharp with the triaxle, but how many pairs of tires can you buy for the extra that the tandem dual costs. The triaxle will have 50% more brakes, and it will have 50% more tires under the outer edge for greater stability than the dual tandem.

 

K

Ken Macfarlane

Well-known Member

• Mar 15, 2013

• #1

I've had folks tell me the tandem duals can pull really hard in wet
fields as once they break through they make a bigger wave of dirt
in front of the tire. To me any highway tire loaded near its max
pulls terrible in a field.

 

W

Whichester1

Member

• Mar 15, 2013

• #1

A friend told me his three axle trailer is prone to bending the center axle when backing and turning at the same time. Axle is probably bending rather than tire scrubbing as others have mentioned.

 

J.Wondergem

Well-known Member

Location

Rockford, Mi.

• Mar 15, 2013

• #1

I pull a tri axle. I try to make big swings when I can. Never bent any axles.

 

jon f mn

Well-known Member

• Mar 15, 2013

• #1

7 k axles have 12×2 brakes and 10 k axles have 12 1/4 × 4 so
you get more square inches of brake on 2 10k axles than 3 7k's.

 

U

uncle henry

Member

• Mar 15, 2013

• #1

i have both 32 foot 3 axle and a 48 foot 2 axle with 8 wheels i turn as wide as i can with the 3 axle bent the front axle once but had no choice something had to give with the 48 foot i make wider turns than an 18 wheeler because my overall length is 78 feet

 

5

504

Well-known Member

• Mar 15, 2013

• #1

In Missouri we buy trailer plates buy the axle, two is cheaper than three. If you run any toll roads they charge by the axle. I ll take the tandem over a tri axle any day.

 

M

massey 333

Member

• Mar 16, 2013

• #1

12 1/4x4 brakes are only on the 10KHDs,90% or better of 20k trailers are sold with 10KGDs which are 10 1/4 x 3 3/8 brakes which is the same as on 8Ks and 9Ks axles.Plus most tandem dualys are 9k axles.

 

B

bobs old iron

Well-known Member

• Mar 16, 2013

• #1

i thought i saw a trailer for sale on c-list, dealer, pic almost showed one dual axle, couldn't tell, with tumble weeds in the pic,, has any ever seem or heard on one, was thinking, what weight cap would it be, since you've posting axle weights for trailers..was think it would be nice for turning, if didn't carry more weight than limit..

 

jon f mn

Well-known Member

• Mar 16, 2013

• #1

To my knowledge there are no 10.5" brakes in that large of axle. You are correct tho that they are only 3 3/8 rather than 4". But that still gives more brakes on 2 8/9/10k axles than 3-7k's. As far as getting 9k's rather that 10k's that would be a choice made at purchase and if manufactures have started to do that then I guess there is another thing to watch out for when buying.

 

A

Anonymous-0

Well-known Member

• Mar 16, 2013

• #1

We have a 3 axle and have hauled at least 20,000 lbs, and for the money they are a good buy. But a dual tandem is a better trailer. Turns easier, pulls nicer and better tire life. Used tri-axle was $3000, comparable used dual tandem was just short of $5500. Still if we frequently hauled rather than perhaps once or twice a year; would have bought the dual tandem.

 

M

massey 333

Member

• Mar 16, 2013

• #1

That was a typing error on my part that I didn't catch.Thank you for catching it.I have 3 on 8Ks with Super Singles,1 on 12Ks and 1 on drawing board with 3 12Ks on Super Singles.