Single or dual axle trailer for a 20

[Vezo, Part II]

What's the consensus? Have an opportunity to get a great deal on an '07 Venture single axle, non torsion with brakes. The Master Angler and the Seafari both sitting on duals, and always liked my brothers 18 sitting on a single. What do you think? TIA.

Vezo.

Yes, it has a mounted spare.

[DonV]

Jeeeez Michael you only have to go like 53' to your ramp, how much trailer do you need!!!

[Bushwacker]

What size tires does it have on it and how much load are they rated for at max pressure? If it has 6 lug wheels like mine, it has a 5000# axle, so trailer capacity would probably be about 4000# which is plenty for either boat.

[Vezo, Part II]

Originally Posted by DonV

Jeeeez Michael you only have to go like 53' to your ramp, how much trailer do you need!!!

Real funny Don. Honestly, I plan to be all over Florida, bugging anyone who is willing to teach me some new fishing techniques, diving, lobstering, spearfishing, and ultimately do my first Bahamas crossing.

READ: Starting with anyone who may or may not have enjoyed my hospitality last month!!! Haha

Vezo.

[Bushwacker]

Michael,

Sounds like you want to do a lot of towing with this trailer, so one other thought occurred to me . . . a single axle trailer is inherently less stable than a tandem, meaning that it will tend to fishtail more easily from a crosswind or "bow wave" effect from a passing semi. For that reason, tongue weight is very important on a single axle trailer, so it's important to be able to easily move the axle to adjust tongue weight. I had to move the axle aft about 12" after I added the bracket and new motor that was almost 130 lbs heavier, to get it to tow as well as it did with old 300 lb motor hanging on transom. That was easy to do on the EZ Loader, as the springs & axle are attached to a couple of ~3' pieces of angle iron, which form a cradle that trailer frame sits on. Moving the axle was simple . . . just hitch trailer up to truck, chock the wheels, loosen 4 U-bolts, and pull truck forward desired amount! Only problem I ran into was the flexible brake line between axle and steel lines on trailer had to be swapped out for a longer hose. (Good brakes are very important in Fl. if you tow on turnpike or Interstate. In the Keys, cops may pull you over to make sure trailer has brakes on it!)

[natecert]

Agree with Bushwacker regarding the stability of the dual axle trailer. As stated with the properly rated tires, axle and tires the single will be ok.

If you go with leaf springs I would suggest to clean up the rust and two coats of fluid film. Then reapply each year. I had been using LPS 3 for years but they changed the formula and it is not as good now. Also the lug nuts will last years if you use acorn style with greased stud threads.

[Vezo, Part II]

Thanks guys, all very good points. The MA sits on a pretty nice Quickload aluminum bunk, which has new springs on one side and requires a set on the starboard side. Also need four new tires, but she trailered fine.

The Seafari sits on the original Rolls aluminum C-channel dual axle, but everything is new from PO. I did just sink $400 into it in August with all new bunks, hardware, carpet and pipe lights. She trailers fine also.

Neither have brakes and tongue weight is difficult when pulling with a Raptor. Without adding air bags, she is rated for 6000 lbs., but with 13 inches of suspension travel, driving at night has me checking every overpass for troopers shooting radar. Give and take. Thanks again,

Michael.

[TomParis]

It's a nice trailer, had a pathfinder on it before and to answer your question it has 15 inch tires.

[Vezo, Part II]

10 ply radials.

[Bushwacker]

Originally Posted by Vezo, Part II

10 ply radials.

Those may be load range E tires, which should be overkill for a 20' SeaCraft.

The load capacity info you want is molded right into the sidewall. On my tires it says:
"LOAD RANGE E, MAX LOAD SINGLE 2830 LBS @ 80 PSI MAX PRESSURE" These are ST 225/75R15 steel belted radials I bought this July; doesn't say how many plies it has.

My spare, 1 of 2 tires previously on trailer and similar to what it came with new, is a bias ply: (Tread: 5 ply nylon, sidewall: 4 ply nylon; 8 ply rating) Label says:
"LOAD RANGE D, MAX LOAD 2540 LBS @ MAX INFLATION PRESSURE 65 PSI"

Original tire load capacity of 5080 lbs is pretty close to axle rating of 5000 lbs (5000 lb axles typically come with 6 lug wheels which mine has); the galvanized steel EZ Loader roller style trailer weighs about 900 lbs, and trailer is rated for a 4000 lb boat.

Based on my tow over to Homosassa from NPB and back for the Scallop gathering, my gas mileage was about 5% better than normal, so I believe the steel belted radials do indeed have a bit less rolling resistance.