UTV Trailer Considerations - Single Axle vs Dual Axle

[270quest]

Ok, so I have to break down and buy a new trailer to pull my 2024 RMAX4 1000 side by side this fall. (Borrowed a friends last year - not available to me this year). My side by side is the compact model so a 12' trailer will work. I have two options:

1. Load Trail Single Axle 6x12' - 2k capacity. Will be maxed out at capacity, but I plan to put some trailer brakes on the trailer. Trailer is $2700 after I put the brake kit on.

2. Carry On Dual axle 6x12 - 5k capacity. Obviously this sounds like the winner but its also $1k more - $3700.

Guys towing on single axle trailers - is it as bad as some make you believe on the internet? I am really only use my side by side during hunting seasons so its really like a 2 month a year trailer.

Thoughts? Feedback?

 

[Billy Goat]

Changing tires, blow outs are usually way easier with 2 axles. Make a block/ramp to carry and put the tire of the other axle on it to lift the one you hafta remove.

Have seen a front tire blow out and take the valve out of the tire behind it, so the single spare wasn't helping.


Turning tight is harder on tires with 2 axles, thats light enough I doubt it would be an issue.

Cheaper when you gotta put new tires on with 2 instead of 4.

If you really aren't gonna use the trailer for anything else, probably just stay with single axle. But 2k capacity isn't much if you want to do anything else with it.

 

[WeiserBucks]

If you just need something to use locally for the season I've got a dual axle trailer you can borrow.

 

[270quest]

If you just need something to use locally for the season I've got a dual axle trailer you can borrow.

Appreciate the offer - but we pull all the way up from Boise to Salmon area and some of those rocky dirt roads can ding up a trailer a bit. Hate to do that to someones trailer I don't own.

 

[WeiserBucks]

Appreciate the offer - but we pull all the way up from Boise to Salmon area and some of those rocky dirt roads can ding up a trailer a bit. Hate to do that to someones trailer I don't own.

You couldn't hurt this one if you tried! Other than maybe trashing a tire. Offer stands if you need it.

 

[svivian]

Dual axle all the way.

I’d rather be able to limp to town if needed then have to dump my trailer to get a new hub or leaf spring.

As stated above changing tires is a lot easier too and less likely to destroy a hub or bearing if you have a blow out.

 

[Yellowknife]

Marginal axle capacity on rough roads leads to bent axles. Bent axles lead to destroyed tires. And those light single trailers usually have very marginal tires to begin with.

I don't mind single axle for something as light as a UTV, but when I was towing mine around, I bought one with a 3500 lb axle under it.

 

[displacedtexan]

My camper is single axle, it pulls great.

But I'd never own a single axle cargo/flatbed trailer. 2 axles just make loading so much more forgiving, and less annoying doing stuff when it's unhooked.

 

[Customweld]

There are a few tandems on Boise Marketplace under 3700. Even with minimal use, I'd go with a tandem.

 

[WeiserBucks]

There are a few tandems on Boise Marketplace under 3700. Even with minimal use, I'd go with a tandem.

I bought a 2023 aluminum trailer in Meridian this spring for $3500, there's deals out there to be had.

 

[Customweld]

I bought a 2023 aluminum trailer in Meridian this spring for $3500, there's deals out there to be had.

For sure.

 

[Mighty Mouse]

Hauling a 2000# UTV on a 2000# capacity single axle trailer would make me very nervous if going very far at highway speeds. Adding trailer brakes won’t make the axle any stronger. I would pony up for a tandem axle trailer.

 

[270quest]

Did some quick internet research - found a 6x12 dual for around $3300 - going to go take a look at it shortly.

 

[Chris in TN]

This is one of those 'no best answer' type questions that could go forever.
A few years ago we needed a trailer to haul all of our camping stuff to Yellowstone and other parts west. I took a single axle utility trailer, had the bearings repacked, new tires put on, spare bolted to the tongue, and had my local tire shop rip the old lights off and just install a new light kit, which is way simpler than trying to repair a damaged wire.

The trailer made the trip just fine, including getting dragged off a mountain in snow that was deeper than the trailer axle, then the ride home. I'm guessing we had 800 pounds of stuff in it, maybe 1000, for the whole trip, more or less. Hauling it was exactly zero problem, couldn't tell it was even back there until it snowed, and even then I think two axles would have been worse. IIRC we put something north of 3000 miles on the trailer; the entire trip was closer to 5000 but that included several days in SD and WY where it stayed parked while we drove around.

I have no input on whether single or double axle is better, only that whatever you get, you need to know what sort of load it'll ride best with, and try to hit that target. My little single axle is TERRIBLE when empty. I wouldn't get on the interstate with it empty, it bounces like crazy. Put 500-1000 pounds in it and it's a different story.

And pack those bearings and if the tires are less than ideal, replace them. Have a spare and a simple way to get one wheel off the ground to change the spare.

ETA: I missed what you said about capacity. Yeah, get whatever it takes to have extra load capacity even fully loaded.

 

[270quest]

Ended up purchasing the 6x12 dual…should serve me well. I’ll put a front toolbox on it and some wheel chocks to hold it side by side down.

I thought the 12’ would be tight in room but still have some space for a cooler or gas cans.

 

[WeiserBucks]

Wheel chocks suck, just tie it down.

 

[Blockcaver]

I use a single axle 6’8” x 8’-8” aluminum Triton sled trailer to haul my UTV or two quads. Worked fine for my use 16 years. Upgraded tires load range E….10 ply. Was used a bit when purchased.

It has a torsion axle suspension….good! Light to move around….good. Tilts…good for single loading a quad or storing under the elevated boat trailer tongue. Can’t load the SxS without using the ramp though.

My cargo trailer is a single axle 6x12 CargoMate. Again, I use 10 ply tires. Easy to drop the rear stabilizer jacks and jack up the tongue with the trailer jack to change tire(s).

 

[DLIP]

I’ve got a 6x12 tandem axle with brakes. Super handy trailer and I went tandem for every benefit described. No regrets.

 

[Fireflyfishing]

Ended up purchasing the 6x12 dual…should serve me well. I’ll put a front toolbox on it and some wheel chocks to hold it side by side down.

I thought the 12’ would be tight in room but still have some space for a cooler or gas cans.

Good move. Double axel all the way.