Triple Axle trailers

[the bandit]

I need to uprate my trailer to 3500kg. I can either add a third axle or replace the two originals from 1500kg to 1800kg what are the benefits or problems in doing this.
If i go for 2 new i have to move them back as the new engines has changed the cg if i add a third that may not be necessary length is 10 m

[Nos4r2]

Do you have a complicate reverse that you do regularly?If so, go with twins-the triple axle will be harder to push round.

[the bandit]

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

Do you have a complicate reverse that you do regularly?If so, go with twins-the triple axle will be harder to push round.

The rig is to big to push around.

[bedajim]

Originally Posted by the bandit

The rig is to big to push around.

I would think it would be easier to stay with a twin less mods to the trailer

[Mollers]

Or get rid of the barge and buy something sensible, perhaps.

[Neil Harvey]

Originally Posted by the bandit

The rig is to big to push around.

I don't think he meant by hand - I have a triple axle trailer, and it is a pig to manoevre into tight spaces (forwards or backwards, but especially backwards) - but great for long distance towing

[Nos4r2]

Originally Posted by the bandit

The rig is to big to push around.

I mean to push around with your tow vehicle while reversing.
I find it a lot harder work on the tractor unit when reversing an artic with a triple axle trailer and a full load than with a twin axle. The tyres get a lot more scuffed and cut on triple axle trailers too.

[the bandit]

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

I mean to push around with your tow vehicle while reversing.
I find it a lot harder work on the tractor unit when reversing an artic with a triple axle trailer and a full load than with a twin axle. The tyres get a lot more scuffed and cut on triple axle trailers too.

I'm not worried about the tyres as the boat won't be moved very often i am worried about the stress on the bearings. had a wheel come off on a motorway and it ain't pretty.

[martini]

Make sure the rest of the trailer can take the extra weight, the axles aren't the only part that can be overloaded.

[paul holder]

How Heavy Is The Boat
How Heavy Is The Trailer
How Many Sets Of Brakes On The Trailer
What Make The Brakes Funcion
How Heavy Is The Tow Car
All The Above May Mean Moving From A Mormal Type Trailer To A Commersial .

[the bandit]

Originally Posted by paul holder

How Heavy Is The Boat
How Heavy Is The Trailer
How Many Sets Of Brakes On The Trailer
What Make The Brakes Funcion
How Heavy Is The Tow Car
All The Above May Mean Moving From A Mormal Type Trailer To A Commersial .

Boat 10m long weight 2400 kg approx
Trailer has twin 1500kg axles at present hitch 2600kg will upgrade to 3500kg hitch
Each axle has brakes
Range Rover or American 4x4

The advantage going triple means just adding a third axle without having to cut of the old axles as there welded
The trailer has a double frame

[jwalker]

Originally Posted by the bandit

...The advantage going triple means just adding a third axle without having to cut of the old axles as there welded...

I doesn't work like that. You will still need to move the axles. If your present rig is properly balanced, putting a third axle in front of the others will pretty much remove your nose weight because the front axle will then support the front section of the trailer. To counter this, all three axles will need to be moved rearward or the boat be moved forward.

[the bandit]

Originally Posted by jwalker

I doesn't work like that. You will still need to move the axles. If your present rig is properly balanced, putting a third axle in front of the others will pretty much remove your nose weight because the front axle will then support the front section of the trailer. To counter this, all three axles will need to be moved rearward or the boat be moved forward.

At the moment there are no engines in the boat 1100kg is going in the engine bay thats why i hoped a third would mean we wouldn't have to move the original pair

[jwalker]

So the third axle is to go at the back?

[the bandit]

Originally Posted by jwalker

So the third axle is to go at the back?

thats the idea. when we put the engines in the bow flys up. Hoping that the third will balance it

[bedajim]

I would think that you wil still need to move the axles to get the best setup so I'd

1/ get three new axles on a frame so i could slide them along the trailer to get the best setup (cost of the boat to cost of new axles etc)

2/ use a hiab lorry if your not going to tow it very much, would save alot of problems

[paul holder]

The first thing we have to ascertain is the nose weight of the trailer hitch, this should be in the order of 5-10kg. Can be slightly more but certainly no less.
When you place your new engines into their compartment this will send the nose skywards, therefore, before the engines are installed place a 4" x 4" billet of timber between the two rear trailer sections. Place two billets upwright under this. To the side of these billets have two trolly jacks, one either side. Install your new axle but use U bolts which will, therefore, give you flexibility in movement backwards and forwards. Install your engine and the nose should not move. Pump up your trolly jacks, remove the upwright timber, let the trolly jacks down slowly so that the new engine weight is now on the rear axle. Check your nose weight. Simple bathroom scales will do.
Pump up trolly jacks again, move axle until you have the correct nose weight. Tighten up U bolts, weld in place, remove timbers and away you go.

[jwalker]

I'm with bedajim, the adjustable subframe sounds like a good idea. Judging from the picture, I think the axles an/or the boat have to be moved.

[pressman]

We have a triple axle de Graff trailer for our 9m and have had no problems with it at the time of purchase de Graff seemed to be the only company willing to supply a triple axle trailer

[the bandit]

Thanks for you answers guys.

We are adding a console and a 1000 litre fuel tank which sits just in front of the first axle so hoping that we won't have to move the front 2

Having searched various boat galleries it appears triple axle trailers arnt that rare