One Axle Or Two? Single Vs. Tandem Axles For ATV Utility Trailers
ShareIf you do any sort of construction or heavy-duty landscaping work -- whether you're a company manager or just a self-reliant property owner -- having utility trailers is vital to being able to move items around the worksite. If any of the land involved is unpaved, however, then an ATV utility trailer becomes your best friend. These smaller trailers have ATV-style tires so they can travel over rugged ground, and they often have power-assisted, dump-truck features that let you transport cleared brush, for example, and dump it at a designated spot across the site. ATV utility trailers come in single- and tandem-axle (two-axle) models, and each can affect how you work in distinct ways.
Lower Weight and Higher Costs
A single axle is going to weigh less in general than a tandem axle that uses similar tires and hardware, of course. But this difference can save you a lot of money in fuel and repair costs over the life of the trailer. A lighter trailer, assuming you don't overload it, will place less strain on the ATV and the hitch that connects the two. If you are concerned about your ATV and need to save money on fuel, a single-axle trailer may be best in this situation. A tandem-axle trailer can also result in higher repair costs simply because there are more tires and more pieces of hardware due to the second axle.
Better Storage
A single-axle utility trailer is usually smaller than a double-axle model, which means a single-axle model can be easier to store. If you need to place the trailer in a storage area that's fairly small, a single-axle trailer will be a lot easier to keep around.
Better Hauling and Stability
However, tandem-axle trailers offer smoother towing and stay more stable in high-wind conditions. The extra set of wheels prevents the trailer from swaying too much when it's pulled at higher speeds too. If you often work in windy conditions or have to travel over very rugged ground, a tandem-axle trailer would be better for you, especially if you have to haul heavier loads.
Flat Tires
Another advantage to having the extra set of tires is that if one goes flat, you can still pull the trailer on the remaining tires. If one of the tires on a single-axle trailer goes flat, then you really can't move the trailer until you replace the tire. If you'll be driving in conditions that could cause a tire to go flat, you should use a tandem-axle trailer.
If you want to find out more information about ATV trailers, talk to ATV dealers who can let you know which models would work with the hitch on your ATV and which other features would suit your needs.