Single vs Tandem Axle Tongue Weight (2024)

FAQs

Single vs Tandem Axle Tongue Weight? ›

To determine proper tongue weight, total the package weight (boat with fuel/battery, motor with maximum horsepower, and trailer) and multiply it by 6% on single axles and 5% on tandem axle trailers. ShoreLand'r suggests that tongue weight may be acceptable in a 5-7% range.

Recommend tongue weight is +\- 10% of the loaded trailer weight. If you're looking at 2, 14' trailers, the tandem axle trailer will weigh more than the single axle trailer which will mean more tongue weight.

The number of axles mounted underneath a trailer determines whether it is a single axle or double axle. A single axle trailer has a one set of wheels; a tandem axle has two sets of wheels.

What Is Proper Tongue Weight? For conventional trailers with ball-mounted hitches, proper tongue weight is roughly 10 to 15 percent of the total loaded trailer weight.

A good rule of thumb for an acceptable tongue weight for a trailer is to keep the weight between 9 to 15 percent of the gross trailer weight (GTW). For example, if you tow a 5000-pound trailer, the tongue weight should be approximately 600 pounds.

What should tongue weight be? Tongue weight should be about 10% to 15% of the total weight of the trailer or gross trailer weight. Too much tongue weight can impair driver control over the vehicle, and too little can lead to sway in the trailer.

Benefits of a Tandem Axle Trailer

This extra axle provides excellent stability and support. Tandem axle trailers are typically used for heavier loads such as boats and vehicles. They also offer a smoother ride because the weight of the load is distributed more evenly over the two axles.

– Single axle trailers are far better when it comes to manoeuvring in tight spaces. What is your budget? – Dual axle trailers come with a higher price tag, but you will have a sturdier trailer which (if looked after) could outlast a single axle trailer. And don't forget about maintenance costs!

Choosing between a single or tandem axle trailer requires weighing cost with safety. For those looking to save money, single may be your obvious choice, but if you know you must tow heavy weights over long distances on a regular basis and want to be as safe as possible, consider a tandem.

Is it better to have more or less tongue weight? ›

The tongue weight of a trailer is the actual physical weight that is being loaded directly onto the hitch, and therefore the back of your towing vehicle. Safe tongue weight is typically 10-15% of your gross trailer weight, as you will experience less trailer sway, bounce, and have better steering control.

Your tongue weight should come in between 10 and 15 percent of the total weight of your loaded trailer, also known as your Gross Trailer Weight (GTW). So if you are hauling a 2,000 pound trailer that's loaded up with 2,000 pounds worth of cargo, your tongue weight should be between 400 and 600 pounds.

10-15% tongue load is enough to prevent sway and anything more just adds extra load to our vehicle.

Too much tongue weight could overload the rear tires of the towing vehicle, pushing the rear end of the vehicle around. When this happens, the vehicle is difficult to control; corners or curves may become more difficult to maneuver and your vehicle may not be as responsive when you try to brake.

Tongue weight should be around 700 pounds plus. Most Class III hitches are rated for 5,000 to 6,000 pounds convential pulling.

Trailer tongue load weight should be 10% of total loaded trailer weight.

Technically, a given boat on a single axle trailer would typically have a heavier tongue weight than the same boat on a tandem trailer. But the reason that's true is because the distribution of the weight on the trailers is different.

Towing: Single-axles are typically easier to pull because they are smaller and often weigh less than dual-axle trailers. Because of their lighter weight, single-axles may experience less rolling resistance and can often travel with less wind resistance.