Trailer Load Capacity

Dr. Walt · Jul 6, 2014

Just curious -

For a deck-over flatbed trailer, which configuration would have the greatest load carrying capacity ?

Assuming all axles are the maximum capacity for their type - a trailer with 3 single-wheel axles, OR a trailer with tandem duals ?

Thanking you in advance for any & all responses.

Doc

Chris(WA) · Jul 6, 2014

I find that the tire load rating can be the limiting factor on most trailers. More tires on the ground to share the load = more capacity.

Welding man · Jul 6, 2014

Most 3 axle trailers have 7000# axles- 3 x 7 = 21 thousand. Most tandum axle duals are 12,000#. 2 x 12,000 or 24,000#. There are other combinations,but these are the most common.

jon f mn · Jul 6, 2014

In my area most dualy trailers have 2-10,000 lb. axles and the tri-axles have 3-7,000 lb axles. Trailers are usually rated by adding the axle capacities and the coupler capacity to get the total capacity. So if it has 2-10,000 axles and a 6,000lb gooseneck couple it would be rated at 26,000 lbs. Then you have to subtract the weight of the trailer to get the available payload. The difference between the 2 is that the tri-axle will be cheaper for several reasons, mainly because since the axles are spaced farther apart from front to back and cover a larger frame section they usually have a lighter frame. They also have 2 less tires and the total cost for 3 axles is less than for 2-10.000's. The disadvantage for tri-axles is they have 2 less tires to carry the same load and they have less square inches of brakes. They are also a lot harder on tires due to the inherent alignment issues with trailer axles. If you can afford it a tandem dualy is a much better deal than a tri-axle setup.

jm. · Jul 6, 2014

Bottom LINE Unless you are broke and just can,t afford anything else the two duals are a lot better set up than the three singles. Like ever one said turning and getting in tight places is just hard on the three axel set up. O I have owned several of both.

John T · Jul 6, 2014

What I never liked about three axles is turning and equalizing the weight on all three so my preference is a dully set up provided the max load capacity available tires are used.

John T

Lazy WP · Jul 6, 2014

I won't own a tandem dual trailer. I have pulled 6 or 7 of them, and they all pull hard. Yes I have to pay attention when turning my triple axle, but for the price and fuel, I can do that.
I still run a spring suspension, so that makes a HUGE difference in the ability to get all the axles packing their fair share.

Tx.Ricefields · Jul 6, 2014

I have a 3 axle 7k#s and the weak link is the tires! Only 6 tires caring the load. I went to 14ply tires that will carry 4k per tire. Since putting these tires on....my trailer wants to jerk forward and back when loaded. I know the tires are a little taller, so I raised my gooseneck coupler. Hauling 14 rd. bales yesterday & it about beat me to death. Thank goodness it was only 25 miles. The trailer is level when loaded and slightly uphill empty. Any thoughts from you guys?

Wheatfarmer · Jul 6, 2014

I have pulled both, but like the 3 singles except for the tight turns. You have to also keep in mine what you are towing with. I have been told that you can not tow a 2 tandem with a single axle pickup in some states. I have not been able to confirm that here in Colo. C60 weighs 10,500. Photo looks worst than it was.

john in la · Jul 6, 2014

"Assuming all axles are the maximum capacity for their type"

There's the key words in your question that I think most missed so far.
While you can get different configurations from different manufactures a tandem axle duel is hands down the correct answer to your question.
No way you gona find a 20 ton tri axle with single tires. Just not enough tires on the ground to carry that kind of weight.
Deck Over Trailer Models

JD Seller · Jul 6, 2014

I prefer a dualed tandem for several reasons.

First you usually have better brakes on the dualed tandem axles. Either the 10k or 12k ones. They are just a better built axle than the common 7K ones used in a tri axle trailer setup.

Second is the fact you have eight tires over six. Unless you run real heavy plied tires the tires are an issue on a tri axle trailer.

Third is the three axle setups make turning tight while loaded hard on axles and the trailer frame. Most of the tri axle single trailers I have seen usually have a bent rim or axle at some point in there life.

The only advantage I can see from a tri axle trailer is that they have a little narrow wheel track. Also a tri axle trailer is usually cheaper than a dualed tandem one.

I have owned one single tri axle trailer and several dualed tandem ones. In the long run the dualed tandem ones where a better investment if you haul heavy loads. The dualed tandem trailers just are usually heavier built and the better brake make it an easy decision for me.

jon f mn · Jul 6, 2014

20,000 lbs, not 20 tons. 6 load range E pickup type tires are rated to haul 7,000 lbs/pr. At least they used to be, haven't checked recently tho.

john in la · Jul 6, 2014

20 tons was correct.
You can buy tandem axles with duel wheels deck over trailers in 40,000 lb capacity. (48,800 gvwr)
Follow the link in my other post. It has two 22.5K axles under it.
Its the kind of trailer they use to pull dozers or excavators behind a 12 yard dump truck.

So if the question is.....
"Assuming all axles are the maximum capacity for their type"
"which configuration would have the greatest load carrying capacity"

It would have to be a tandem duels.

Reason is you will never find a tri axle that uses single tires that will haul 40,000 lbs. Just not enough tires on the ground.

uncle henry · Jul 6, 2014

two 12,000lbs axles they can tote all you want to pull and make tighter turns

jon f mn · Jul 6, 2014

Ok, I suppose it's possible he's talking about a 20 ton trailer, but you would still be wrong since there are several tire configurations that could be used to haul 20 tons on 6 tires. Matter of fact, 20 tons can be hauled on just 4 super singles. That is if we're just talkin possibles here.

320B · Jul 6, 2014

Normally I keep my opinions to myself but since I've researched this to death I'll put in my .02.

This is based on my 06 F350 dually 4x4.

Tow rating is 24,000 lbs. Truck payload is 4000 lbs. 27 ft triaxle gooseneck is just over 7000 lbs. GVWR of trailer is 21000 lbs. Subtract 7000 lbs from 21000 lbs and add 4000 lbs maximum tongue weight giving a maximum trailer payload of 18000 lbs if loaded correctly but it weighs more than my maximum tow rating by 1000 lbs.

With a 27ft tandem dually gooseneck the trailer weight goes up 1500 to 2000 lbs but the tongue weight also goes up because of the increased distance from the trailer axles to the truck. So with a tandem dually trailer the maximum payload drops to around 15000 lbs.

If you change the length of the trailer and the location of the axles on the trailer your #'s will change. A shorter trailer will have more useable capacity than a longer trailer and having the axles closer to the truck on longer trailers is also helpful for decreasing tongue weight. For some reason most trailer manufactures have the tandem dually axles to far back for a one ton truck.

john in la · Jul 6, 2014

LOL Yea you might be catching on but your reasoning still has problems.

For a axle to have spindles strong enough to support the weight super singles will carry it is gona have hubs made for duel rims.

While we could venture into special made axles and rims I was talking ready made sitting on a dealer lot trailers.

There is one main reason to put single tires on a trailer. That is to have lower deck height. Such as a 16ft car hauler or a potato chip/race car/bed bug trailer. Low weight carrying; low deck height; so more head room if trailer is enclosed.
Only other reason I can see to get a trailer with single tires is lower cost.

If you are moving into deck over trailers; and need the carrying capacity 3 single tire axles offer you are better off moving into duel wheel axles if you can afford the upcharge.
I would even prefer a single duel wheel axle over 2 single tire axles but that is impossible to find in small trailers.

jon f mn · Jul 6, 2014

I don't believe it's my reasoning that has problems. trailer axles that use super singles are the same as dual axles and they are frequently interchanged. Many times a super single blows on the road ruining the rim and no rim is available and they will put duals on. Also many people have changed from dual to singles, I looked into it on my last truck and they were bolt on interchanges. As far as your assessment of the best way, 2 or 3 axles on 20 or 21k trailers, I'm glad you agree with what I said. lol

jon f mn · Jul 6, 2014

YIKES!!! Is that 35'? Would make for some heavy loads. I could have used some of that space on my last run tho. lol

uncle henry · Jul 6, 2014

no its 48 foot and its for sale

Trailer Load Capacity

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