Single axle vs tandem axle trailer

[jward]

i have a tandem trailer on my 230 and there is no way i can even move the thing by myself, much less maneuver. i think the single makes it easier to maneuver, but if you can afford the dual, i think it is safer for sure.

I have a 04 210. I have had both single and dual. I liked how you could turn the boat side to side in the garage. I could pretty much put it exatly where I wanted by hand. Now with my tandem i can only push it forward and backward, impossible to turn. The tandem is and much smoother ride. Cheaper on the single when tire change time comes.
Would it sway my decission on a boat? Nope, but I do think the tandem looks cooler.

[hourglass]

i used to two my boat 60 miles round trip on a single axel and it was easy. i would have got another one but i got a steal on my tandem so i went with it. maybe you could find a dealer who would take a trade in on your single if you get a boat with one and hate it. trailer is the easy part.

[bkhallpass]

There is not much difference in maneuvering when attached to the truck. The single has a bit better turning raduis, and the tandem sometimes drags the tires sideways and leaves marks on the driveway. The bigger issue is when pushing it around by hand. You can't just swing the tandem around by hand. If you got a straight shot into the garage, no difference at all. If you have to swing it diagonally, you may find yourself using floor jacks or dollies to get the tandem just where you want it. Either way, I don't find it to be a big deal.

Depending upon the brand of trailer, some are very easy to rebuild from a sinle axle to a dual. It will cost
much less than buying a new trailer. I think someone here paid about 1500 to do so. Or, I would think you could sell the single axle trailer for 1500 to 2000. A new tandem I believe costs in the 4500 range.

I think all the guys were saying is that if you find the boat you want at the price you want, that's the bigger part of the equation. There are workarounds and replacement options for the trailer, which, although not cheap, aren't incredibly expensive either. In the meantime, you'd be enjoying your boat while you figure out what to do about the trailer.

My $.02.

BKH

[Bimmerboyz]

I have been convinced that single is what I need. I have not been able to build my detached garage with the economy.

Here is My garage, it is impossible to back a boat into. I back it straight into the driveway and push it by hand. I didn't know the tandem was that much more difficult to maneuver.

I do agree the tandem is a smoother ride and looks better, that is why I was wanting the tandem. Also for safety if a hub was ever to go out.

I am standing in the street in this picture. My garage does not face the street. There is a rock wall on the left side of my driveway.

[TRDon]

I have an 03 san. I bought it with a single. I felt so uncomfortable with it trailering that I bought a tandem. Over any bump, the tires would baloon out at full 50psi pressure. It was slightly unsteady but super manuverable. I need manuverability by hand to get my boat across the front of my garage for storage. I plan on getting wheel dollies or taking off 2 wheels and placing it and then using jack stands for that axle for the winter. I didnt know if I made the right choice but when I pulled the boat back to back from the single and the tandem, I knew it was worth it.

Does it make it a dealbreaker, absolutely not. You can buy a tandem (mine was 5000 for a phoenix with everything you can get on a trailer) or convert yours for a price. I didnt convert because I needed all new brakes on mine plus the cost of wheels, tires, axle, fabrication, ect, all for a used trailer. I decided to just throw another 2K into it and buy a new with warranty unit painted to match with all the features I wanted.

[bkhallpass]

It is hard to make out from your photos with snow on the ground. If you can get the boat close to straight in front of the garage, you'll have no problem pushing it in with a tandem trailer. The bigger issue is if if you have to swivel it to the side more than a couple of feet, it's not easy. BKH

[Bimmerboyz]

Mixed reviews ITT. I guess if I end up with a single and I don't like it, buy a tandem. If I buy a tandem and can't maneuver it into my garage without slipping a nut, get a dolly.

[tourpro]

Hmm. Mixed reviews but some good info, as usual.

We have some bumpy roads in cottage country in central and northern Ontario. I've noticed some boat ramps are shorter than others. Does a tandem do better on bumpy roads? If your trailer goes in the water past the cement part of the ramp in order to launch, does one type of trailer do better than the other?

One 210 we're looking at has no trailer at all so ... And you won't find a used trailer up here.

[C.A.]

I recently bought a 2004 210. It came with a single axle ramlin. Being familiar with Nautiques, and Ramlin trailers, I felt comfortable knowing that they use heavy duty components. It has a six-lug torsion axle under it (6000lbs rating?) and kodiak disc brakes. The bigger axle gives you bigger bearings, much larger than 3500lbs axles. The problem seems to be the tire ratings. 225/75-15 tires are only rated for 2500lbs.... which I think is barely adequate. Although the tires are in good shape, I believe they are original and it wouldn't surprise me if they went at any time. They definently ballon even with max inflation (50psi).

My current plan is to upgrade to some 16" wheels this winter and put on 235/85 load range E tires, which are rated around 3500lbs. I may have to block the axle up an inch or so for clearance in the wheel well, but that looks to be easy to do and will give me more clearance for my prop guard when hooked up to my truck (which is a little higher than most!).

[Shooter]

Tandem axle owners can you maneuver your boat into a garage with just one person?

I have a tandem and have no issues since I use a set of wheel dollies (go jacks) easy to use and I prefer the tandem when towing