Thread: Converting single axle trailer to dual axle trailer

I took the rig to a local truck scale. My current trailer has 3500 pound axle with 4 layer leaf springs that are probably rated around 3Keach.

3/4 tank of gas, all my typical trolling trip tackle, full 35 qt Engle cooler, crank battery series 31, electronics battery series 29, 3x Trojan 1275 golf cart batteries-- just as I brought it off the lake yesterday. Bilge dry.Livewells empty.

Total rig unhooked from my truck---3820 lbs
Rig hooked to the truck but just the boat trailer axle on scales---3160 lbs. That equates to 660 lbs tongue weight.

I see a new tandem trailer from the same place my current one came from if the owner would get off the lake and get me a price. I might have a nice single axle 20' trailer for sale.

Might consider buy/trade on a dual axle bass boat trailer fixer-upper.

That could be. I only have 3 Bats no cooler and low fuel when I weighed. Your still under the 3500# axle rating and a good set of D rated tires are good for 4100# Plus you dont travel very far. Why kick a good horse in the nuts.

Originally Posted by wilbur

That could be. I only have 3 Bats no cooler and low fuel when I weighed. Your still under the 3500# axle rating and a good set of D rated tires are good for 4100# Plus you dont travel very far. Why kick a good horse in the nuts.

I was under the impression the axle rating was based on everything the axle supported INCLUDING the axle, suspension and trailer. Total weight puts me 420 pounds over the axle rating. I sure don't cherish the thought of spending any more money on my rig right now but I sure would be in a pickle if my insurance company declined to pay a claim because I might have been a few pounds over. I talked to a boat/trailer mechanic today who says altering my trailer by switching out axles could also be grounds for insurance to deny a claim.

They would pay the claim. And never look at the ratings. As it came from the factory like that. Look at a lot of Rv's on the roads. Ours weights 16,000 lbs and 2 7000 lb axles under it. 3000 lb pin weight. If I have the tanks full I'm over on it. And so are most all of the others. But the factory builds them as if people will never load them up. And be at or right above the ratings..
How wide is the boat? Theres a few tandem axle trailers around me. But if it were me, just add an extra axle. See them all the time on craigslist for cheap. I keep thinking my Lund will be getting an extra axle soon. But been using it 8 years and still single axle. It bounces and pulls terrible like its set up. And like yours not going to move the trailer when hooking up.

I've spent a bunch of time researching all options on this. For the price of all the parts for axle, spindles, springs, extra pair of wheels and tires, new fenders and probably a trip or 3 to the emergency room, I think buying a new tandem and either trading or selling mine outright is my best option. I sure would hate to get hung up on some minute detail or break an arm doing a project and miss a bunch of crappie trip bookings. A month's worth of bookings would pay for it and I get to deduct it off my taxes to boot.

There's nobody who loves to tackle a knuckle-buster job any more than me but after I hit the big SIX-O recently, I think I'll be less inclined to tackle those if there are other options.