Posted 2023-08-20 8:59 PM (#185630) Subject: Dual Axel vs Triple Axel on 38'floor Big horn
New User
Posts: 1
Looking for thoughts on dual vs triple axel on 4horse 38' floor Big horn full ling Qtrs, looking to purchase this trailer it has dual axels, worried how it will tow. Truck is Chevy 3500 duramax, will, we have horses but will not transport horses in this trailer only merchandise, we travel to dogshows and competitions and have to get into tight places at times.
Posted 2023-08-22 9:31 PM (#185631 - in reply to #185630) Subject: RE: Dual Axel vs Triple Axel on 38'floor Big horn
Expert
Posts: 2957 Location: North Carolina
This trailer has torsion axles ?
I would recommend you stay with a tandem axle trailer. The issue is overloading. Unless you are only going to be on flat pavement, not curbs, road cuts, RR tracks, etc.
In these situations, the entire trailer may be on ONE axle. 100 % overloading is designed in. 200% overloading as in one of three is not.
Turning is also harder on tires & axles with triples.
Dexter (axle manufacturer) recommends against triples.
Posted 2023-10-24 5:11 PM (#185641 - in reply to #185630) Subject: RE: safty hitch system
Veteran
Posts: 185 Location: riverside ca
I would stay with tandem axles unless you are going to be over 22K axle weights, which if you are pulling it with a 3500 I think the likelyhood is pretty low. if you go with 12.5K axles and 17.5 tires you will have no problem, I have tandem axles and once I start getting like 23.5K on the alxels I have to really watch my speed or I start having tire problems. Triple axles are just a pain in the butt, more tire wear, more maintiance and alot more likely you will bend an axle.
Posted 2023-10-27 8:37 AM (#185646 - in reply to #185630) Subject: RE: Dual Axel vs Triple Axel on 38'floor Big horn
Elite Veteran
Posts: 801 Location: Tenn/Ala.
You generally have no choice whether a particular floorplan gets 2 or 3 axles. The manufacturer will tell you how they'll build it. If you want 2 rather than 3, you'll need to downsize the trailer.
Posted 2023-10-28 2:19 PM (#185647 - in reply to #185630) Subject: RE: Dual Axel vs Triple Axel on 38'floor Big horn
Elite Veteran
Posts: 657 Location: Rayne, LA
I ordered a Merhow 2019 8418 that is 36 ft floor. They wanted to use triple axles which I didn't want. I paid extra to upgrade two axles and have had no problems so far
Posted 2023-10-30 1:17 PM (#185649 - in reply to #185646) Subject: RE: Dual Axel vs Triple Axel on 38'floor Big horn
Veteran
Posts: 185 Location: riverside ca
You totally have say in the axle configuration, it may cost more, but you can always do it, as a note a manufacter often ops for a triple axle because it is cheaper, the axle assemblies are cheaper, and it allows you to skimp on the frame as a triple set up better distribues the weight across the frame. Most trailers have very marginal axles unless you call for bigger ones, 15" inch tires suck, 16" is better and 17.5" is about as good as you can get on a single wheel axle. when I purchased my 2 horse stock trailer several years ago, the manufacturer was blown away That I wanted 2 5K axles, they said 3.5K was fine. I weighed the trailer when I got it is was 3500 lbs, adding 2 2500 lbs horses would have put the axles over weight. Glad I went with bigger axles
Dual Axel vs Triple Axel on 38'floor Big horn
