Originally posted by zooracer:
I have seen some single axle trailers. If you have a 2000 lb car what is the disadvantages. Wouldnt it work ?
matt
I've got both a double axle trailer with a 16' deck and a single axle with a 10' deck. I used the single axle for years to pull around a Solo II Toyota Starlet (under 1800#) and a Solo II 1st gen MR2 (under 2400#), along with tires, wheels, etc. Both cars are about 13' long, so, after tucking in under the tire rack, they hung out about 18" in the back. In order to get the right tongue weight, I had to back the MR2 onto the trailer.
I never had any problems, but the trailer had been heavily reinforced, had a 3500# axle, and I kept the best trailer tires on it I could find, rated at 1875# each. There were times I wished it had brakes, especially when I used to tow it with a '72 Winnebago with drum brakes. One time in Nashville...long story, but I did get pushed right through a traffic light {shiver}. It was OK here in Florida - no hills, but I had to be careful.
The biggest disadvantage of a single axle was that it's a little harder to manuever when backing. If the axle is in the wrong place, they also don't follow as well - more prone to wagging. I had a trailer shop move mine a few inches. The best part was it only cost $150 - but by the time I put on the tire rack, new coupler, new lights, new fenders, moved the axle and painted it, I had around $700 in it.
I got my tandem, with brakes, in decent condition, for around $800. Both of them were cheaper than most dollys I've seen for sale - like someone said above, the dollys hold their value, because the RV folks create a demand.
I've towed with a dolly, and the worst part is not being able to back up. I've gotten stuck a couple times, once in a parking lot and once in a small gas station, where I had to remove the car, uncouple the dolly, back up the tow vehicle (once a Ryder truck, once my Dakota), then hook up and load up again. Pain in the butt. Same thing in campground where there is no pull-through site. Now, even when I'm taking along a "dinghy" (towed street car) behind my motor home, I use a full trailer instead of a dolly or flat towing. Much more manueverable, and no wear and tear on the towed car. I'd take even a junk, old farm equipment trailer with wooden boards nailed across it and no fenders or brakes before I'd use a dolly. Most dollys have no brakes either, or are more expensive than most trailers if they have surge brakes.
Finally, there's no place to put any "stuff" on a dolly or flat tow. In less than one season, you'll want a tire rack, a place to put the poles for your $149 Sam's Club canopy, etc. etc. without stuffing your race car full of stuff that has to be loaded and unloaded.
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Don Horner
Port St. Lucie, FL
[email protected]