Finding the right trailer is a chore

[slowdayz]

I just bought brand new tires for a cargo trailer. Brand new. On the way out - on their first trip - one blew

Single-axle and damage to the trailer?

[DuneElliot]

....when a tire blows and the trailer hits the ground at 60+mph that second axle will often save your trailer, your truck and maybe even your life.

Now that you've put the potential drawbacks in such a stark way, maybe I'll reconsider. I know you're right and maybe I've just been telling myself that I won't be doing a lot of interstate travel and instead taking the slower, scenic routes most of the time. Plus I would always make sure I had good tires on it.

How many flats have you had on your trailers over the years?  I think the last time I had a flat was in 2008.

Please do reconsider. 

In regards to flats...at least one on each trailer I've ever hauled...the worst one outside of LA on a two-horse trailer with dual axles...could have been bad without duals. Sadly, slower, scenic routes aren't always better...less likely to blow a tire at speed but further from help when one needs it (more likely with a single axle) from rocks, nails, tire failure etc.

While not what you asked I have hauled cattle trailers, horse trailers, RVs of varying kinds, car trailers, trucks etc over thousands of miles on some pretty tough terrain. I know how to haul and I know trailers.

Good tires are important, of course, but I still wouldn't go with less than dual axles. I'd love a dually for hauling but I work with what I have. Sounds hypocritical I know, but I already owned the truck.

[slowdayz]

^
BTW: A salesman today told me that a 7x12 tandem was too squirrely going down the road and I needed a 14'.

Knowing salesmen, I'm betting he just wanted to push a more expensive trailer.

Thoughts?

[DuneElliot]

The longer the trailer the more "squirrely" it's going to get, especially with a single axle. Dual axles provide stability, dual tires provide more. You'll be fine with a 12ft, but with dual axles. The longer the trailer the more you will be subject to cross-winds, road-grade etc and the further your trailer axles are from the hitch point. After a certain length you want to start looking at sway bars and equalization hitches...so keep it as short as you are comfortable with.

[Ballenxj]

^
BTW:  A salesman today told me that a 7x12 tandem was too squirrely going down the road and I needed a 14'.

Knowing salesmen, I'm betting he just wanted to push a more expensive trailer.

Thoughts?

I think you're right about the salesman wanting to up sell you. I towed my single axle 10 ft trailer over 800 miles with no issue's at all.
While a longer trailer will be a bit more stable, as long as yours has no alignment issue and tracks true, you should have no trouble with it.

[slowdayz]

^
Thanks for the input and I'm gonna have to mull things over some more. I wanted to keep the build below $6k but if I spend $4200 on just the trailer, that leaves a lot less for amenities. Just recently I was all set on going full-time but now I'm thinking of doing the snowbird thing and keeping my apartment, at least for a while. Anyway, the build for snow-bird use wouldn't be as complete as what I'd want for year-round living.

Decisions, decisions...

[GotSmart]

I just bought brand new tires for a cargo trailer. Brand new.  On the way out - on their first trip - one blew

Single-axle and damage to the trailer?

Single axel, small trailer, and bent fender.  

Look around, and wait.  One will come along in your price range.  Prices drop in winter.

[Optimistic Paranoid]

I've spent a lot of time doing research on this subject on the web and in mainstream RV forums in particular.

The wheelbase of the tow vehicle is an important factor in how "squirrely" a trailer feels going down the road. A pickup with an extended cab and an 8 foot box will almost always feel more stable than a pickup with a regular cab and 6 foot box.

As for tires, there are three types - passenger tires (P), Light Truck tires (LT), and Special Trailer tires (ST).  The ST tires are ALL made overseas, AFAIK, mostly in China, and they are NOTORIOUS for their terrible quality control.  Their nicknames are "china bombs"  Google that phrase, and be prepared to do a LOT of reading.
Maxxis 8008s are reputed to be the best trailer tires currently out there.

A lot of people replace their ST tires with P or LT tires, but there is some controversy regarding this.  See:

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/...techid=219

[slowdayz]

^
Interesting info. I wonder what U-Haul uses on their single-axle trailers? Of course they tell you not to tow them over 45mph but you know people don't pay attention. I did have a MC with Maxxis tires which seemed decent.

[Ballenxj]

As for tires, there are three types - passenger tires (P), Light Truck tires (LT), and Special Trailer tires (ST).  The ST tires are ALL made overseas, AFAIK, mostly in China, and they are NOTORIOUS for their terrible quality control.  Their nicknames are "china bombs"  Google that phrase, and be prepared to do a LOT of reading.
Maxxis 8008s are reputed to be the best trailer tires currently out there.

A lot of people replace their ST tires with P or LT tires, but there is some controversy regarding this.  See:

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/...techid=219

Good info. I usually try real hard to make sure none of my tires are made in China. I have friends in Vegas that own a small tire shop, and I have quizzed them on country of origin about good vs bad. They said some of the tires made in Japan are decent. Nothing beats made in the good ole USA though. That may be changing as the Chinese know they have a bad rep. I noted Chinese tourists in Vegas that would go out of their way to not buy from their homeland.