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Random Quote: The fastest way to make something obsolete is to buy it
tri axle , i had a dual axle ,and a new bearing broke ,and then a ingle tire on that side was not capable of holding the weight . I was stranded for hours with it .Then bought tri axle ,and drove all the way from nj to nc with a flat tire with no problem . Will never have a dual ,tandem trailer ever again . It is a lot safer with a tri axle ,specially with brakes on all six wheels. Aluminum trailers are also nicer than galvanized.
IMHO, if you have a choice, it always comes down to whether you're using the trailer nearly exclusively for short pulls, or if you often use it to pull long distances.
The last two trailers I've owned have had three torsion axles. The first one I traded up from a two axle, current boat is heavy enough that two axles isn't an option. We live in Louisiana and pull to South Florida. If I lose a tire or bearings with three axles I'm losing less than 20% of the trailer's capacity, with two axles it's 25%. I've had 5 blowouts (won't go into tire brands here) without any change in the way the trailer towed other than the sound of the tire beating everything around it to bits.
After 10 years with 2 trailers I've seen no evidence of increased wear on anything but the tires, which leave great black streaks whenever I make a tight turn, but have still never even considered replacing a tire due to wear. Every tire I've ever replaced has been a result of a blowout, or two others that I replaced preemptively after five of the same brand blew out.
Maintenance is increased with 3 axles, but with the spindle-lube lubrication system bearings are not nearly the trouble they used to be. Not nearly enough trouble to change my mind considering my use.
For my use I've never had 2nd thoughts about the choice of 3 axles over 2. If I only trailered short distances I'd choose 2 axles if it was an option.
I’ve had one blowout since posting this, and earlier this year replaced my first tire ever as a result of sidewall damage, likely a result of scrubbing the tire in sharp turns.
I still feel the same. If I’m pulling long distances I want the additional security the extra axle provides.
Want to be safe with redundant? Get a triple axle. Rated at 15,000lb. 5,000lb per axle.
Even if you lose one axle due to bearing/wheel or a tire due to blowout. You are still within safety spec. 2 axle can still handle 10,000lb.
I had a buddy who was pulling 9000lb on a fairly new double axle trailer. Trailer was rated for 10,000lb. He had a bearing go and lost the whole wheel/tire at highway speed (He was going a little faster than he should) and due to the weight of the boat. That other good alxe was NOT sufficent enough to handle the load by itself and caused the good axle to right after.
Lucky - the boat was still secured to the trailer when all said and done. He installed two new axle. Now he double check his trailer everytime - even if it is only a short trip to the ramp.
I pull my 2870 CC with a 10000lb gw Rocket Tandem Aluminum Trailer and it tows and manuevers fine. I had the load "balanced" at a boat dealer that had a scale to measure tongue weight. After reading here on THT and talking with the trailer mfg'er I learned that this is one of the most important measures to take when setting up the trailer for your boat. Too much weight on the front or rear axles can cause blowouts and pre-mature bearing wear and failure. Correct tire pressure is extremely important too.
Before purchasing my trailer I borrowed a friends Tri-axle to make a short haul with my boat and while it trailered fine, backing up and manuevering in tight spots was a big hassle compared to the tandem axle trailer. I do like the security of the extra set of wheels but do not feel it is not necessary for the amount of towing I do.
__________________ USCG 100 TON MASTER
Pursuit 2870 CC
Palm Beach 161
1984 Mckee Craft 14'
Sunset on the ICW
Madeira Beach, Fl
Honeymoon Harbor
Bimini
"Many times life gives you the test, before you learn the lesson!"
Go to www.pursuitboats.com and click on models. Then click on archive. They have performance test data on all the models and list the test boats weight including fuel. I tow with the feul and water tanks near empty.
__________________ USCG 100 TON MASTER
Pursuit 2870 CC
Palm Beach 161
1984 Mckee Craft 14'
Sunset on the ICW
Madeira Beach, Fl
Honeymoon Harbor
Bimini
"Many times life gives you the test, before you learn the lesson!"
I had a buddy who was pulling 9000lb on a fairly new double axle trailer. Trailer was rated for 10,000lb. He had a bearing go and lost the whole wheel/tire at highway speed (He was going a little faster than he should) and due to the weight of the boat. That other good alxe was NOT sufficent enough to handle the load by itself and caused the good axle to right after.
Lucky - the boat was still secured to the trailer when all said and done. He installed two new axle. Now he double check his trailer everytime - even if it is only a short trip to the ramp.
One possible reason for the failure is that the trailer was probably over it's load rating. Nearly all trailers are rated by GVWR, aka the rating of the load + the weight of the trailer. The total rolling mass has to be under the rating. For example, most equipment trailers with a 10k rating themselves weigh in the neighborhood of 2500 lbs, giving them a capacity of 7500lbs. Granted an aluminum boat trailer isn't as heavy, but I can't imagine it being under 1k.
Go to www.pursuitboats.com and click on models. Then click on archive. They have performance test data on all the models and list the test boats weight including fuel. I tow with the feul and water tanks near empty.
I am aware of the "published weights", which are typically shy of reality. I was just curious if you had actually weighed your rig so we might know how close it is to the published weights. I expect that full of fuel and water you will probably exceed the capacity of a 10K GVWR trailer.
Go to www.pursuitboats.com and click on models. Then click on archive. They have performance test data on all the models and list the test boats weight including fuel. I tow with the feul and water tanks near empty.
I am aware of the "published weights", which are typically shy of reality. I was just curious if you had actually weighed your rig so we might know how close it is to the published weights. I expect that full of fuel and water you will probably exceed the capacity of a 10K GVWR trailer.
I have not weighed my total rig and probably should do so, no need for surprises. As far as the published reports from Pursit, they are pretty much dead on as far as mpg, range, speed, etc. I have no reason to doubt their published weights but will make a trip to the scale one of these days.
__________________ USCG 100 TON MASTER
Pursuit 2870 CC
Palm Beach 161
1984 Mckee Craft 14'
Sunset on the ICW
Madeira Beach, Fl
Honeymoon Harbor
Bimini
"Many times life gives you the test, before you learn the lesson!"
I tow my 2870 CC with a triple, and feel like it is worth the extra few $$ for the added security. I pull back and forth a few times a year between CT and NJ, and feel like the ride is much better given the extra axle, which is important navigating that NYC region corridor given the bad roads.
I know some people talk about having difficulty maneuvering the triple axles, but I havent really experienced that, and i have some pretty tight angles to get my rig in and out of my driveway.
Lasy yr I bought my new trip axle venture, alum ibeam, disks x3, alum wheels, etc for about 4k......thought that was a pretty good deal.....I wouldnt say venture is "top tier", but its done the job well so far.
definitely go triple axle with elec over hydraulic brakes. that's a serious load behind you and its very nice to have full control to stop it.
go alum bunk with centering bunks up front, disk brakes, LED lights, torsion axles, and elec over hydraulic brakes.
call the guys > Loadmaster in FL. when i was buying my tri axle trailer, they had new old stock for very good prices. in july they had (3) 2005? or 2006? 26-28' tri trailers (take backs from a dealer who went out of business) with alum ibeam, SS brakes and hardware on 2 axles and other very nice options. overall a very nice trailer and price was hot. this trailer would fit the pursuit perfectly.
I ended up buying a Hi-Tech trailer (panama city, fl) since it was a bit closer, but i have a couple issues with trailer that need to be worked out. Until then, i can't neither endorse or 'bad mouth' them until resolved.
txhedg - 9/23/2008 7:27 PM
I know some people talk about having difficulty maneuvering the triple axles, but I havent really experienced that, and i have some pretty tight angles to get my rig in and out of my driveway.
I also tow with a triple too. I have a 12 foot gate which leave me less than a foot on each side. I have to swing the trailer pretty tight/narrow to get it inside. So narrow that I always end up scraping the most outside tires. If you drive by my street - you will see the tire marks from having to swing the trailer. At night when I usually get back from fishing. It is almost impossible to do this manuver alone - spotter necessary.
So aside from the constant tire scraping. It is almost as manuaverable as a double. You just have to get use to it.
Go with the triple, I just got a road king for my 270 shamrock boat weighs 6700 pounds empty, I went with a 12k gvw trailer, loaded out I should be about 10k nice to know I have a little forgiveness hopefully if I ever have issues it won't be catastrophic. it's easier to get 5 pounds of sh!t in a 10 pound sack then 10 pounds of sh!t in a five pound sack!!
Just my .02
Tight Lines
Monty
p.s. get the stainless package too!!!!
You have selected a nice forum. This is the nice idea. 9k capacity is very low for 28 pursuit.
You will use more capacity.
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Trailer Tri-Axle or Tandem? 
