Single Axle vs. Tandem

[nautiquenewbie]

Considering the change from a Ram-Lin single to a tandem. The beam width of the 211 is very tight in the single axle. David at Ram-Lin tells me we would gain 2 inches on each side switching to a Tandem. That would solve the spacing issue. But the wife and I wonder if we will be able to back the tandem into our garage? I read about the powermovers, cool, but expensive. Those of you with Tandems can you back into a garage with just the truck? And what about at the boat ramp. Is it hard to mauever into position before backing down? Any input would be great.

[NautiqueJeff]

Not much harder to maneuver at all. I haven't ever had a problem getting mine wherever I want it.

[Socbum]

I have a side loading garage and I noticed a significant change when I went from single to double axle. When I back up and make the tight turn I noticed that the tires/wheels seem to get a lot of side pressure and tread leaves some nasty black marks on the driveway. I also need more room to make the turn.

I agree with Jeff, the tandem trailer has not stopped me from getting the boat where ever I want.

I don't store the boat in my garage so I don't worry about it to much.

Just my $.02

[Dr.John]

Not much harder to maneuver at all. I haven't ever had a problem getting mine wherever I want it.

Gotta agree with you EXCEPT if you are maneuvering by hand. :shock:

[SGY]

You can always get those wheel dollies and move it into position. That's what I would do.

[SWCC-PART-MAN]

most of the problems is see (be it single or tandem) people make when backing usually start before the vehicle is even shifted into reverse. what that means is how you set yourself up on approach. that being, if your gonna back to the right...dirve into the "spot" swinging the convoy left stopping the rear of the trailer at the "entry" then turning right when coming to a stop. that will postotion the trailer so you dont have to swing it wide like most beginers have to. also you look like a pro slipping it into the stall in one fluid motion. not having to back up, turn, pull forward ect...ect...ect. but its whatever works for you. this is just what has worked for me. but if it were me i would have a tandem over a single anyday. by the way...have you looked at a dorsey trailer? maybe about the same cost.

[AbunDiga909]

Speaking of the electric things, are they strong enough to pivot a tandem axle trailer? We are thinking of putting our Nautique in the garage for the Winter. We would have to fold the tower, take the platform off, and swing in the front of the trailer, and still only have inches on either side. And on the outside of the garage, the length there is only about the length of the boat. So could the electric thing do the job? It would take a helluvalotta guys to pivot this thing up hill!

[SkiMatt]

I have a tandem and really like the trailer. I have a tight fit in my garage and have a tongue dolly........it's a workout. So, I just bought wheel dollies for all four wheels. ($50 bucks for two) Kind of a pain but I don't want to store it outside. With the wheel dollies you can move it in circles on a flat level surface.

Go with the tandem.

[TylerO]

I put my double axle trailer thru a single garage door with less than 2 inches of clearance on either side. Not too tuff BUT my house is at the top of a steep driveway and I live on a busy street. I agree with SWCC Part Man on his recommendations plus two things......Patience and Practice. I don't think you'll regret moving to the double axle.

-Tyler

[nautiquenewbie]

We have a sloped asphalt driveway that we back up on to put it in 2 stall garage. From what i"m hearing if we back it straight in it should not be a problem. Typically we come in at an angle so we conserve space in the garage. Once we are half way in I turn the truck wheels the opposite direction and it straightens it out. Is this do-able with a tandem. Or is it striaight or northing else??

[TylerO]

Doable but no where near as easy as with a single axle. You will get black tire marks from the harsh pivot but they clean up easy.

[crotchrocket]

Single axle trailer I can push in my garage myself. With the Tandem its a PITA! You need at least two Men to do it. And if you have to turn it a bit you are in for some work. My boat sits high and there is no way to back the trailer in the garage while on hitch or with a dolley. I have to bottom out the jack and then push it in by hand. And this is with the tower folded. But I love the tandem. Pulls so much better and the surge brakes are awesome.

[Rick]

I have used wheel dollies for the last year and they are great. I have a 2 car garage. I pull it into the middle put it on the dollies and push it wherever I want it. It takes 15 minutes and I have an extra foot in width and it fits within the 4" front to back I have left over.

[SkiMatt]

Rick...you are the only other person that I've heard of that uses the dollies too. It is still some work to push but at least it is possible to move sideways.(My dollies have cast iron wheels.)

Nautiquenewbie.....how far do you trailer your boat? I don't know what the price difference is between the two trailers but if you don't trailer far....why not stick with the single?

[ag4ever]

I have a tandem under my boat, and like everyone has said, it can be done, but it is much harder. I have a swing in garage, and due to the layout of my garage, i must put the tongue of the trailer toward the front of the house, and the rear of the boat towards the street. (The garage is a three car but not near deep enough for the boat to fit straight in, and the main door is double wide near the house, and single wide near the street. This means the only door the boat will fit through is the one near the house.) When the boat is in tha gargae, it is turned 180 degrees from when it is backed into the driveway. I mostly position it with the truck, but the final bit is by hand. If the tires are "folded over" too much by too sharp of a turn by hand, i throw a floor jack under it and relieve the lateral stress on the sidewalls making it much easier to maneuver. It might be a PITA, but the extra axle is worth its weight in gold during times of tire hub axle or rim failure such as this:

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