Triple axle vs double

D Barber · 09-08-2011, 05:22 PM

Hi,
Our kids are looking at a larger 5th wheel, one with a triple axle, the other with a double. Not sure of the weights but the sales guy made a. comment that I would like an opinion on.
He said the following; don't buy the triple axle because you will be buying new tires every year and run the risk of tearing the axles off the unit in tight spots.
Is this a case of the salesmans lips moving(fibbing) or does he make a valid point?

Please feel free to make any comments

Don

smiller · 09-08-2011, 05:37 PM

I'm not an expert on triple-axle tire life so I'll let others comment on that but I have to say that it seems ridiculous to suggest that there could be enough force/friction generated between the tire and road surface to rip out the axle mounts. I mean, do you see campgrounds littered with broken triple-axle trailers?

Given that line of BS I would tend to doubt the credibility of anything else the salesman said.

TXiceman · 09-08-2011, 06:02 PM

First off...the salesman is full of something smelly. I would move on to another dealer.

we have a triaxle and it pulls like a dream and no undue tire wear.

Ken

Ray,IN · 09-08-2011, 06:12 PM

What Ken said X2. The only time one can expect axle binding is in a spot-turn, and that happens perhaps once in a lifetime; then one learns to plan ahead.

Dunner · 09-08-2011, 06:21 PM

The stealer is probably trying to clear his lot of double axle trailers. Even with my double axle, I always tried to make wide turns to keep from scrubbing the tires.

D Barber · 09-08-2011, 06:27 PM

Thanks for the comments. Will go with the kids tomorrow to look at the units. Now that I think about it we see a lot of tri axles down south and all the owners look pretty happy.. The kids do go to one cg that is pretty tight, but manage to get a 38 ft moho in the spot they use.
They are going to the 5er because of the addition of another grandchild, they have 3 under 5 years old. I think they will be fine. They are looking at an Open Range, not sure of the model
Any comments on the quality of those units
Don

Superslif · 09-08-2011, 06:31 PM

My brother has a triple axle toy hauler. When backing into a site I don't know how the tires stay on the rim.....and that was backing into a diagonal (30%) site. From observing other RVers backing in their double axle 5ers, I would say the triple is far more difficult backing into a site. It just doesn't pivot as well as double axle...Just my opinion.....And yes he has replaced all tires after the 3rd year $$$$

Dunner · 09-08-2011, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by D Barber

Now that I think about it we see a lot of tri axles down south and all the owners look pretty happy.

That's because you don't see them at the tire store.

jablair · 09-08-2011, 06:44 PM

We have a triple axle. No problems with tire wear, scrubbing and the like. As with anything there is always both advantages and disadvantages. One advantage is I have three axles with electric over hydraulic disk brakes. I have better load balance. My trailer has a GVW rating of 19000# each axle is rated at 7000# so I have plenty of extra capacity. It is true there will be some additional tire wear and/or scrubbing but nothing significant nor measured in years of difference between two axle and three axle trailers.

Mekanic · 09-08-2011, 07:04 PM

Triple will be more stable going down the highway than a double. that is another advantage to a triple.

D Barber · 09-08-2011, 07:11 PM

Good point

jawildman · 09-08-2011, 09:23 PM

I have a double and replace all my tires at 10 months. Slipped belts, bad side walls..

Cheap blech....

I've asked a couple tire dealers if they've ever had to replace a tire that blew out because of the flexing while turning. Answer has always been know. Just train yourself not to look at the tires while you back and turn...

Billieg · 09-08-2011, 10:33 PM

I just bought a triple axle 5th and I backed it down my winding road to my "spot" around trees, cars, a drainage ditch and a pond with out a problem and on the first try. It might turn a little slower than a dual but that could be a good thing for beginners.

Dunner · 09-08-2011, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jawildman

I have a double and replace all my tires at 10 months. Slipped belts, bad side walls..

Cheap blech....

I've asked a couple tire dealers if they've ever had to replace a tire that blew out because of the flexing while turning. Answer has always been know. Just train yourself not to look at the tires while you back and turn...

Try some Yokohama AT tires. Several of us did and never looked back again.