Single or Double |
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skitique179
Senior Member Joined: December-06-2011 Status: Offline Points: 176 |
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Posted: February-28-2014 at 1:00am |
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Thinking of pulling the trigger on a new trailer in the coming weeks. The current trailer is the original and is due to be replaced. So the question...do I go single axle or double? Single has enough capacity to carry the boat but I typically tow at least 300 miles to where I use the boat. Double is more stable to tow and gives the option of tying up an axle given multiple blowouts...what say the masses???
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Kristof
Grand Poobah Joined: October-08-2007 Location: Bree, Belgium Status: Offline Points: 3391 |
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I prefer double axle. More stable on the road.
And when manoeuvering, it is smoother to back up for example... |
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- Gun control means: using BOTH hands!
- Money doesn't make one happy, but when it rains cats and dogs, it's still better to cry in a Porsche than on a bicycle... |
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oldcuda
Senior Member Joined: June-22-2010 Status: Offline Points: 474 |
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I have owned both and as far as towing any distance give me a tandem any day. Using a single axle now and can't wait to upgrade just feels more stable and tracks better.
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bhectus
Platinum Member Joined: July-04-2010 Location: Gator Country! Status: Offline Points: 1809 |
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While a tandem will definitely track straighter, and feels more solid on the highway, there's no way that it is better for backing up and maneuvering in tight spots. Can't beat a single for that. |
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'02 Ski Nautique 196 w/ 5.7 Apex bowtie - Sold
'87 Barefoot - sold '97 Super Sport Nautique - originally custom built for Walt Meloon '97 Ski Nautique '83 SN 2001 |
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TRBenj
Grand Poobah Joined: June-29-2005 Location: NWCT Status: Offline Points: 21113 |
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+1, my tandems are a major PITA to put in tight spaces. You can forget about pivoting them around, even when empty. Ive owned several of each type, and put a lot of miles on them. Tandems do track nicely on the highway and usually run smaller wheels and tires, allowing the boat to sit a little lower (which helps mileage). A properly set up single axle will track just about as nicely though. Theyre more maneuverable in tight spaces and a lot cheaper to maintain... the 2x cost on springs, hubs and tires gets old fast. A properly set up single axle with 3500lb running gear (like the original trailer) is a really nice, reliable set up on a smaller 2200lb boat like that '82 Ski Tique. We've towed our heavier (2800lb) Barefoot Nautique on its original #4 all over the place and it does well. I'd actually like to see what your original trailer looks like- unless its been dunked in salt continuously for a long period of time, I cant imagine its beyond repair. The open channel CC trailers last forever... unless the frame is rotted through, it could be repaired/restored for far less $$ than a new trailer will cost. Plus it will look way better than an aftermarket trailer. |
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phatsat67
Grand Poobah Joined: March-13-2006 Location: Indiana Status: Offline Points: 6148 |
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I wouldn't trade my single for anything. When a single is set up properly (like the magical combination CC made for the 85-89 2001 boats) you really can't get much better. A way over kill axle and proper tire/wheel sizes with very nicely located axle for tongue weight and such.
If you do a fast maneuver while driving it won't sway back and forth more than twice before it is tracking back where it is supposed to be. Its funny to see folks with lesser boats (IOs) with tandems loaded down just swaying down the highway. Gotta think the thought has to cross their mind "Should this trailer constantly sway back and forth?" I have pulled that rig with something as small as a Jeep Cherokee on highway trips and have never had an uneasy feeling once. |
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Hollywood
Moderator Group Joined: February-04-2004 Location: Twin Lakes, WI Status: Offline Points: 13510 |
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uhh it's 2014 hello. triple
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phatsat67
Grand Poobah Joined: March-13-2006 Location: Indiana Status: Offline Points: 6148 |
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Bigger is better............. |
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skicat
Platinum Member Joined: May-18-2006 Location: Duluth, GA Status: Offline Points: 1128 |
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I think they are talking about boat trailers Hollywood, not shots! |
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phatsat67
Grand Poobah Joined: March-13-2006 Location: Indiana Status: Offline Points: 6148 |
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Boats and triple shots go hand in hand until the DNR shows up to ruin the party right? ha.
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Hollywood
Moderator Group Joined: February-04-2004 Location: Twin Lakes, WI Status: Offline Points: 13510 |
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That's only if you don't have your party flag up.
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phatsat67
Grand Poobah Joined: March-13-2006 Location: Indiana Status: Offline Points: 6148 |
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Noted, Party flag up at all times.
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quinner
Grand Poobah Joined: October-12-2005 Location: Unknown Status: Offline Points: 5828 |
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I have towed quite a bit with singles and doubles of various manufacturers and without question the double is WAY better going down the road, if you have brakes on both axles your rig will stop as well as it does without anything behind it. Backing up is no problem either, the doubles seem to hold a line easier, not that that matters too much though. If you need to make tight turns regularly , bacerds or forwards, I would imagine it puts more stress on the axles & tires vs a single. Also if you need to move it by hand and turn, double axle is going to fight you where a single could be spun in circles easily.
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baitkiller
Platinum Member Joined: October-11-2011 Location: SW Florida Status: Offline Points: 1693 |
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His regular trip is 300 miles?
Tandem for sure. Just from a piece of mind standpoint. I like the idea of being able to get off the highway to change a flat. Being stuck in the middle of the night on the shoulder while traffic zips by at 80 is a little sketchy. Ill deal with tight space handling issues as a fair price to pay. |
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Jesus was a bare-footer.............
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Morfoot
Grand Poobah Joined: February-06-2004 Location: South Lanier Status: Offline Points: 5312 |
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Why would you need a tandem trailer for a Skitique?
I've never had anything but single axle trailers but have heard the pros and cons about tandems. The primary purpose of the dual axle trailer is to dispearse the weight of the trailer to four points on the ground instead of two. A Skitique can't weigh that much to constitute going to a tandem. I can move the 88' pretty easily round the garage with the single axle and the two wheeled jack. Twice the maintenance on dual axles. If you maintain the single axle regularly then you shouldn't have a problem. |
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"Morfoot; He can ski. He can wakeboard.He can cook chicken.He can create his own self-named beverage, & can also apparently fly. A man of many talents."72 Mustang "Kermit",88 SN Miss Scarlett, 99 SN "Sherman"
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81nautique
Grand Poobah Joined: September-03-2005 Location: Big Rock, Il Status: Offline Points: 5767 |
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Exactly, a single for that little boat is fine. A tandem would be sprung awfully stiff for what I'm guessing is 2500#? I love both of my tandems but I've towed across the county with singles, just keep your tires in good shape and properly inflated. |
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IAughtNaut
Grand Poobah Joined: August-22-2010 Location: TN Status: Offline Points: 2568 |
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bhectus
Platinum Member Joined: July-04-2010 Location: Gator Country! Status: Offline Points: 1809 |
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Want vs need. Weigh the options.
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'02 Ski Nautique 196 w/ 5.7 Apex bowtie - Sold
'87 Barefoot - sold '97 Super Sport Nautique - originally custom built for Walt Meloon '97 Ski Nautique '83 SN 2001 |
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skitique179
Senior Member Joined: December-06-2011 Status: Offline Points: 176 |
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Thanks for the discussion here. The original is going to get replaced for several reasons:
1. It has been used in salt regularly and likely the new trailer will continue to be. (Going to go galvanized on the new one.) 2. The prop guard has some serious rust and the channel is cracked in this area. 3. The spindles looked pretty worse for wear last time I replaced the bearings. 4. A previous owner made quite a few little cutouts in the c channel that I believe may compromise the integrity of the trailer over the long run. (Especially in the salt) 5. Because I was quoted approximately the same to replace as to redo the original how I want it done. (Not counting any additional issues found) The reasons I was considering a double though I do not need it to carry the load are as follows: 1. Tracking behind the truck 2. Ability to tie up an axle in case of a blowout or cooked bearing 3. Safety in case of a blowout while towing on the highway 4. I like the looks better |
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Waterdog
Grand Poobah Joined: April-27-2006 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 2020 |
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I wish I had a tandem set up for a 2001.
They smooth out the concrete joint / bumps on the interstate much better. Tandems do require a bigger radius and some for thought when it comes to backing up. A smaller boat is fine with a single axle trailer. |
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oldcuda
Senior Member Joined: June-22-2010 Status: Offline Points: 474 |
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If you were towing to the local lake and had to deal tight spaces stay single but with your towing distances tandem.Sure it's twice the axles to maintain they are running with half the load.How much time are you spending peeking in them mirrors to check on that one axle .Mine weights 3600 gross and sm constantly looking to see if alls ok and I do my bearing maint twice every season regardless of miles .Spending as much time as I do on road for work see countless boats on side of road with people out in the woods looking for their tire and hub assembly
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8122pbrainard
Grand Poobah Joined: September-14-2006 Location: Three Lakes Wi. Status: Offline Points: 41040 |
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+2 |
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desertskier
Platinum Member Joined: December-19-2006 Location: Az Status: Offline Points: 1114 |
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Pretty sure that was me. Oh wait, I was in the desert. Amazing how far a wheel and hub can go. And they pass you like your standing still! That was one time I wish I had a double axle. |
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oldcuda
Senior Member Joined: June-22-2010 Status: Offline Points: 474 |
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Thats where I used to see it most California and Arizona everbody heading for Havasu for the weekend.Sorry for not stopping.
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63 Skier
Grand Poobah Joined: October-06-2006 Location: Concord, NH Status: Offline Points: 4232 |
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Have both. For my use, with a bunch of small launch ramps at lakes without much forward runout to get straight, the singles are SO much easier. My tandem just fights itself to turn, not so bad on dirt but on pavement I cringe at the stress I sometimes put on the bearings/axle.
Having said that, I did have one blowout on the tandem, ratchet strapped up the axle and drove with no problem, so definitely understand the argument about not being broken down due to a blown tire or bad bearing. I'd get a single for a Tique. |
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'63 American Skier - '98 Sport Nautique
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jbear
Grand Poobah Joined: January-21-2005 Location: Lake Wales FL. Status: Offline Points: 8193 |
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Or..if traveling in the East keep Morfoot's cell number handy..works great for me. One tip I might add..don't use a filet knife to remove those pesky bearing caps. Or..like I did this past summer..travel with Eddie. He went over everything on the trailer for me 'cause he didn't want me slowing him down! john |
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"Loud pipes save lives"
AdamT sez "I'm Canadian and a beaver lover myself"... |
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MrMcD
Grand Poobah Joined: January-28-2014 Location: Folsom, CA Status: Offline Points: 3594 |
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My 78 Ski Nautique had a single axle, we put 1,500 hours on it and towed everywhere, it was weighted perfectly and towed very well. Even at 75 mph on long highway drives.
My two boats after that have had double axles and I prefer the look, the boat looks great on the tandem. Around the house, moving it in the garage or backing into my tight driveway the single axle trailer had some real advantages, the one negative the single axle designs have more tongue weight if you want them to tow well the tongue is heavy, I think mine was over a 200 pound lift. |
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GlassSeeker
Grand Poobah Joined: November-26-2008 Location: Elk Grove, CA. Status: Offline Points: 2421 |
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I prefer singles and don't think doubles tow any better and I've seen more problems with doubles and I can move my single axle by hand.
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This is the life
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GlassSeeker
Grand Poobah Joined: November-26-2008 Location: Elk Grove, CA. Status: Offline Points: 2421 |
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Wow...that's why singles tow better more tongue weight.
I don't like how the doubles wag the rear of the tow vehicle around...singles are smoother |
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This is the life
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ST79
Groupie Joined: December-31-2012 Location: Birmingham Al. Status: Offline Points: 98 |
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That light of a boat if you had to a double would let you limp in on three tires that is a added advantage of a tandem axle trailer.
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