Single or multi-axle trailer?

[Old Dog]

I'm glad I did a search first as this thread has answered most of my questions.

The situation I find myself in is, last year I bought a new 21-foot (actual 20'-4") with a 60 Merc Big Foot, but opted NOT to buy a trailer since I did not have a tow vehicle that could pull it. MISTAKE IMHO. So now I am looking to see what to get. BTW, first ever boat for this soon to be 64-year old Noob. Today I visited a chap that did a big tow job for me last year when he brought my toon back from Ontario to Quebec (about a 100 miles one way).

So, this is what he had in stock:

A single-axel trailer, no brakes with a rating of 2,240lbs @ $2,500CDN before taxes. Now the same trailer if equipped with surge brakes he said could haul up to 2,700lbs. However, by the time all the parts are added and labour thrown in, the cost goes up to about $3,500 before taxes.

He says, if you are going to pay this you may want to consider a tandem-axel with surge brakes and a rating of 3,900lbs @ $3,500CDN before taxes. However, and this is where a big question comes to mind, it is a 25-foot trailer. I said to him there is a big difference there to which he added, we can see how it fits. To properly have a balanced load I can't have, at least I don't think so, a heavy back or even front load. IF there is a similar trailer for my length of 21-foot I think I should be saving some money as the cost one would think should be <$3,500. I'd love to hear some comments on this.

Here are some numbers for you all:

Boat weighs in at 1,724lbs
Merc 60 BF is in at 260lbs
Gas, assumed max of 30US gal. at 190lbs
Total: 2,174lbs.

After reading this thread I think I am sold on the tandem, but ouch!!! $4,000CDN incl. taxes.

Just by chance, does anyone tow with a Honda Pilot 4x4 (tow capacity of 4,500lbs) or a Toyota Highlander 4x4 (tow capacity of 5,000lbs)? Thinking of one of these for my next vehicle as I doubt my wife will feel comfortable driving a pick-up.

The Old Dog is ready to learn some new tricks!

Cheers!

[Diamondjim]

The tandem axle will ride much smoother than the single. Personally, I would go with the tandem but it's not my money. Good luck, Jim.

[HandymanHerb]

If your surrounded by toll roads a tandem will cost more than two cars with the same four axles, they charge you like your driving a tractor trailer loaded down.

[ROLAND]

Boat weighs in at 1,724lbs
Merc 60 BF is in at 260lbs
Gas, assumed max of 30US gal. at 190lbs
Total: 2,174lbs.

Just by chance, does anyone tow with a Honda Pilot 4x4 (tow capacity of 4,500lbs) or a Toyota Highlander 4x4 (tow capacity of 5,000lbs)? Thinking of one of these for my next vehicle as I doubt my wife will feel comfortable driving a pick-up.

The Old Dog is ready to learn some new tricks!

Cheers!

Old dog.... I'm pretty much in the same boat as you ( Pun was intended ) My toon weighs approx 1700 lbs, yamaha F75 is at approx 369 lbs, fuel ( 24 gal ) i'm guessing around 150 lbs, and the single axle trailer is around 900 lbs.. total approx: 3100 lbs ( have to add the weight of your trailer in for your tow vehicle )

We don't use a honda pilot or toyota highlander, but we do tow with a 2010 Toyota 4 Runner... don't have the book in front of me but I'm pretty sure it's towing capacity is 5000 lbs stock... no problem towing our rig.. but normally we only tow about 10 miles or so each way so it's just a short run... I have towed it from n.w. Louisiana over to east texas, again with no issues.. 4 runner seems to pull it without any issues.. of course gas mileage sucks.. we get about 16 - 17 mpg with the boat behind us... but then again we only get 18.5 without the boat... hope this helps..



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[Old Dog]

Boat weighs in at 1,724lbs
Merc 60 BF is in at 260lbs
Gas, assumed max of 30US gal. at 190lbs
Total: 2,174lbs.

Just by chance, does anyone tow with a Honda Pilot 4x4 (tow capacity of 4,500lbs) or a Toyota Highlander 4x4 (tow capacity of 5,000lbs)? Thinking of one of these for my next vehicle as I doubt my wife will feel comfortable driving a pick-up.

The Old Dog is ready to learn some new tricks!

Cheers!

Old dog.... I'm pretty much in the same boat as you ( Pun was intended ) My toon weighs approx 1700 lbs, yamaha F75 is at approx 369 lbs, fuel ( 24 gal ) i'm guessing around 150 lbs, and the single axle trailer is around 900 lbs.. total approx: 3100 lbs ( have to add the weight of your trailer in for your tow vehicle )

We don't use a honda pilot or toyota highlander, but we do tow with a 2010 Toyota 4 Runner... don't have the book in front of me but I'm pretty sure it's towing capacity is 5000 lbs stock... no problem towing our rig.. but normally we only tow about 10 miles or so each way so it's just a short run... I have towed it from n.w. Louisiana over to east texas, again with no issues.. 4 runner seems to pull it without any issues.. of course gas mileage sucks.. we get about 16 - 17 mpg with the boat behind us... but then again we only get 18.5 without the boat... hope this helps..

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Thanks ROLAND for your input. Do you use extended mirrors on your 4Runner to see around the pontoon? Does your trailer have brakes?

All the best,

Old Dog

[Old Dog]

If your surrounded by toll roads a tandem will cost more than two cars with the same four axles, they charge you like your driving a tractor trailer loaded down.

Good point HanymanHerb. I had not thought of this, but it's really not an issue for me, right now anyways. But good to keep in memory however long that may last, hahaha.

Cheers!

[Old Dog]

The tandem axle will ride much smoother than the single. Personally, I would go with the tandem but it's not my money. Good luck, Jim.

I agree Jim, the tandem is the way to go. I just have to get SWMBO on board with the additional cash outlay.

Thanks.

Garry

[Bamaman]

They've already settled the issue on the tow trucks. You'd be satisfied with either vehicle towing.

The prices quoted to you on the trailer may be a little on the high side.

I would suggest you go into Boattrader.com to see who the dominant marine dealers are in your area--filtered for 200 miles. Then call around to see who has the best price on pontoon trailers. If you're close enough to the border, an option may be to drop into the U.S. to buy a trailer. We're at the end of the season, and some leftover model trailers may be available.

Your boat is relatively light, and I don't know if surge brakes are required by Canadian regulations for that weight. If you were in the mountains or towed long distances, I'd say go with the tandem axles. But if you're just pulling 20-30 miles and your traffic is light, the single axle trailer might be okay.

I'm pulling with a 24' tritoon on a tandem axle trailer without brakes, but I'm on flat land, seldom use the trailer, and I'm towing with a 3/4 ton diesel with heavy suspension and brakes.

[Old Dog]

Can anyone comment on a trailer for a 25-foot toon being used for my 21-foot toon?

Thanks,

Garry

[ROLAND]

Thanks ROLAND for your input. Do you use extended mirrors on your 4Runner to see around the pontoon? Does your trailer have brakes?

All the best,

Old Dog

Garry, we do not have extended mirrors and the roadrunner single axle trailer does not have brakes... it's the trailer that came with the boat when I bought it new a few years back, and like I said, we only trailer about 10 miles each way from the storage building to the lake so it's not a problem for us... Have fun boat / trailer shopping!!!!

[Old Dog]

Thanks again ROLAND.

[Silver Eagle]

All of my boats have had dual axles, The reason being that if your traveling down the road and you have a flat tire what happens, ,the boat is all over the road, with dual axles you still have a tire to get you off of the road without causing a problem.