Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
RV Trip Planning Discussions

Go Back   iRV2 Forums > TRAVEL TRAILER, 5th WHEEL & TRUCK CAMPER FORUMS > 5th Wheel Discussion
Click Here to Login
Join iRV2 Today

Mission Statement: Supporting thoughtful exchange of knowledge, values and experience among RV enthusiasts.
Reply
  This discussion is proudly sponsored by:
Please support our sponsors and let them know you heard about their products on iRV2
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 08-20-2007, 11:01 AM   #1
Administrator Emeritus
 
rebelsbeach's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Virginia Beach, VA
Posts: 10,041
Several fifth wheel manufacturers are going toward two "dual wheel" axles rather than three single axles on their larger rigs.

I've heard that with three axles there is a tendency for the third axle to skuff the tire in turns and wondered what the fifth wheel community folks here on iRV2 think of two axles versus three.
__________________
2019 Grand Design Solitude 380FL fifth wheel
2017 40' Renegade Verona LE LTS (traded)
2018 F150 King Ranch Crew Cab Diesel
rebelsbeach is offline   Reply With Quote
Join the #1 RV Forum Today - It's Totally Free!

iRV2.com RV Community - Are you about to start a new improvement on your RV or need some help with some maintenance? Do you need advice on what products to buy? Or maybe you can give others some advice? No matter where you fit in you'll find that iRV2 is a great community to join. Best of all it's totally FREE!

You are currently viewing our boards as a guest so you have limited access to our community. Please take the time to register and you will gain a lot of great new features including; the ability to participate in discussions, network with other RV owners, see fewer ads, upload photographs, create an RV blog, send private messages and so much, much more!

Old 08-20-2007, 11:01 AM   #2
Administrator Emeritus
 
rebelsbeach's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Virginia Beach, VA
Posts: 10,041
Several fifth wheel manufacturers are going toward two "dual wheel" axles rather than three single axles on their larger rigs.

I've heard that with three axles there is a tendency for the third axle to skuff the tire in turns and wondered what the fifth wheel community folks here on iRV2 think of two axles versus three.
__________________
2019 Grand Design Solitude 380FL fifth wheel
2017 40' Renegade Verona LE LTS (traded)
2018 F150 King Ranch Crew Cab Diesel
rebelsbeach is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-20-2007, 11:19 AM   #3
Administrator in Memoriam
 
Route 66's Avatar


 
Newmar Owners Club
Retired Fire Service RVer's
Spartan Chassis
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Newark, DE
Posts: 25,898
I wonder if this a Newmar first, also.

I vote for 2 axles, dual wheels.

Less scuffing.
__________________
Adios, Dirk - '84 Real Lite Truck Camper, '86 Wilderness Cimarron TT, previously 4 years as a fulltimer in a '07 DSDP

Route 66 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-20-2007, 12:23 PM   #4
Administrator in Memoriam
 
Hitchhiker's Avatar


 
Appalachian Campers
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Buladean, NC
Posts: 8,126
Bob,

Before I bought my current 3 axle 37CKRD I was of the impression a triple axle trailer would be more difficult to maneuver than a same size trailer with dual axles. I've learned after having mine for several months that maneuverability and tire scuffing isn't any more of a negative than it would be on the dual axle model.

When turning a tight turn, I've noticed the unit seems to pivot on the center axle with the front axle flexing opposite from the rear. Neither sidewall seems to scuff any more than the sidewall on a two axle trailer.

With the triple axles and the Dexter hydraulic disc brakes (rated at 8,000 pounds) you'll have 24,000 pounds of brake rating on a trailer with a GVWR of 18,700 pounds. The brakes are awesome.

My trailer tracks like a train, never any sway in crosswinds or from truckers blowing by which is attributable to the three axles under it. Another plus is that NuWa is able to use the 'E' rated tires on a Tri-axle, the 'G' rated tires are notorious for blowing out a highway speeds. Remember Rusty's little problem with his on the way to the rally? His Mobile Suite rides on 4 'G' rated tires. Each 'E' rated tire is rated at 3,084# so doing the math you'll have 18,504 pounds of tire rating on the trailer, almost enough for the entire GVWR of the trailer without subtracting anything for the pin weight. You'd be hard pressed to overload it.

When buying 6 new tires, they probably won't cost much more than 4 of higher priced 'G' rated tires and will be much easier to find.
__________________
'11 GMC Acadia SLT AWD
'11 GMC Sierra 1500 4x4 Extended Cab
Hitchhiker is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-20-2007, 12:27 PM   #5
Senior Member
 
Ray,IN's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: North America somewhere
Posts: 30,655
Bob, from reading threads on this subject from "full-timers", most with 3 axles say they would prefer dual tandems instead. Those with dual tandems say they are well satisfied with them.
In addition to the turning/tire scrubbing issue, having a flat on triple axles is no better than straight tandems. As you know, a flat on duals still leaves the load supported until you can find a place to stop. Dual tandems offer the ability to have "wet axles", whereas single axles use standard greased wheel bearings.

The down-side is you have 8 tires to replace.

A Pressure Pro system (from RVUpgrades of course!) will cost $100 more for two additional valve stem sending units-still a bargain.
Any future fifth wheel for us will have dual tandems, whether standard, special order.
__________________
2000 Winnebago Ultimate Freedom USQ40JD, ISC 8.3 Cummins 350, Spartan MM Chassis. USA IN 1SG 11B5MX,Infantry retired;Good Sam Life member,FMCA." My fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country. John F. Kennedy
Ray,IN is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-20-2007, 02:25 PM   #6
Administrator Emeritus
 
rebelsbeach's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Virginia Beach, VA
Posts: 10,041
Thanks Richard and Ray for your thoughts.....any others?
__________________
2019 Grand Design Solitude 380FL fifth wheel
2017 40' Renegade Verona LE LTS (traded)
2018 F150 King Ranch Crew Cab Diesel
rebelsbeach is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-20-2007, 03:05 PM   #7
Moderator Emeritus
 
Vette Racer's Avatar
 
Oklahoma Boomers Club
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Sand Springs, Oklahoma
Posts: 2,902
I have a dual 7k axle trailer and a triple 5200lb axle trailer. I don't see much difference in them towing except the triple RIDES and tow's much better than the dual axle trailer. I guess the tire scrub might be an issue if you were turning all the time but its a non issue in the usual way of usage. I do find you do not have the rear end swing with the triple that you do with the dual. And with the triple you have another set of brakes to stop with.

Overall, I'll take my triple axle over the dual, even with the extra expense on the tires and brakes. Since I don't have any experience with a dual wheel type I can't comment on that part of it.
__________________
Tom
KE5NCP
2016 Winnebago Sunstar LX 36Y, 2018 Wrangler unlimited Rubicon
Vette Racer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-20-2007, 03:37 PM   #8
Senior Member
 
Roam America's Avatar
 
Texas Boomers Club
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Somewhere in the lower 48
Posts: 2,308
That is why Newmar moved away from 3 axles to dual tandems. I have been looking hard at the Kountry Aire trailers (have the floorplan picked out). They use Dual tandem 9000# axles with LR-E tires.
__________________
John, Joyce and Zoie (our 17# Guard Dog)
2018 Ford F-450 KR / 2019 Mobile Suites 40KSSB4
Fulltiming since 2008 and loving it
Roam America is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-20-2007, 04:12 PM   #9
Administrator Emeritus
 
rebelsbeach's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Virginia Beach, VA
Posts: 10,041
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by K-Star:
That is why Newmar moved away from 3 axles to dual tandems. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Why?



<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">I have been looking hard at the Kountry Aire trailers (have the floorplan picked out). They use Dual tandem 9000# axles with LR-E tires. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Which one?
__________________
2019 Grand Design Solitude 380FL fifth wheel
2017 40' Renegade Verona LE LTS (traded)
2018 F150 King Ranch Crew Cab Diesel
rebelsbeach is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-20-2007, 04:21 PM   #10
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Foxboro Ma.
Posts: 1,087
I dont see many owners that have towed trailer enough to wear out the tread on tires , so I dont buy into the scuffing idea. But I will say 3 axels will be very sensitive to ride hight , it better be perfect of your going to have one axel over weight for sure ! I vote on triples or two duel tires if its over 18,000lbs
__________________
2015 42' Redwood RL38 Morryde IS , disk brakes, 1920W of solar with Victron everything,5 Battleborn, 2024 GMC DRW 3500HD ,60 gallons of fuel in the bed,Hensley BD5 air ride hitch.
xc-mark is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-15-2007, 02:26 PM   #11
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Halifax(Nova Scotia) or the skies above
Posts: 199
I have been looking at the Newmar models as I approach retirement for that exact reason.

I have no experience with a triple, but I like the extra support of tandem dual in case of blowout etc. I had a flat(on the trailer) in the middle of nowhere with a rig, and because I was near empty, I didn't worry about it until I got to where I needed to be.

what are some of the other brands that are going this way?
__________________
06 Wilderness 2952BS

03 Ram 3500, CTD, Crew Cab, 4X4, DRW, 6 spd, pacbrake, aFe stage 1 mega cannon with Torq tube.
The Big Kid is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-15-2007, 02:57 PM   #12
Senior Member
 
Don (W5IT)'s Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Greenwell Springs, LA EBR
Posts: 2,255
Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeellllll

I have towed many a dual axle trailer. The three axle fiver I have now tows a lot better than any of my previous trailers.

As far as the dual tandem.....

I can only go by the gooseneck flatbeds I have towed. The triple axle flatbed dovetail tows better than the dual tandem flatbed dovetail when loaded. The triple axle is three 8,000 pound axles. The dual tandem has two 12,000 pound axles. SO they both have 24,000 pounds of axle capacity.

In my opinion the tire scrub aspect really does not come into play....
__________________
Don Fauntleroy (W5IT) 99 F-350 Cab and Chassis with a Herrin Hauler bed now towing a 2006 3612 DS Raptor Toyhauler. 2002 and 2006 National Rally Wagonmaster.
"Words of Wisdom"
Don (W5IT) is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-18-2007, 06:05 PM   #13
Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: USA
Posts: 40
I have remained mum on this particular issue as long as possible.
Tri axles tires will last just as long as tandemsand/or duals. Scuffing is at minimum. If you look at most tri axles there is alway (almost) 1 axle that has most of the weight on a sharp turn, unless the ground is perfectly smooth.
Dual tires on a 5ver will be a mistake for most owners as they cannot or do not know how to check for flats and etc.
Tri axle also gives you 2 more brakes, whether electric or disc. Tri axle will give you a better ride.
If you have a flat on a dual tired rig or a triaxles, tandem or even single axle you almost have to change the tire quite sudden. Slow running with a flat can be done with either set up. Duals puts all of the weight on the inflated tire. Triple axle will put the weight to the other 2 tires.
Peaceful
__________________
"Fulltimin & Lovin It"
Peaceful is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-26-2007, 06:06 PM   #14
Senior Member
 
HighwayRanger's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Northern California
Posts: 293
No one has mentioned, on this thread, the fact that a pair of dual tire axles requires that the frame rails be closer together (narrower frame). Does that encourage a more top-heavy box, which might sway more? (higher center of gravity)

I like the look of the Newmar duals, and they seem like a sturdy setup. I don't think either arrangement would be a deal-breaker for me.
__________________
Fulltimer Class of Late 2015, with my bride, Lori.
2015 GMC 3500HD Denali DRW CC LB TrailerSaver TS3
2016 DRV Mobile Suites 38RSB3, MorRyde IS
HighwayRanger is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply



Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Montana LLC Pros and Cons Rhodesfree2roam Tiffin Owner's Forum 29 06-28-2008 01:04 PM
Thinking about a used Newell Pros and Cons jjoe Bus Conversions 8 04-28-2008 10:00 AM
Pros and Cons of trailer over 4-down towing FlyingDiver Toads and Motorhome Related Towing 7 05-20-2007 12:26 PM
Pros & cons: 34 vs. 36 Lindenberg Alpine Coach Owner's Forum 18 12-06-2006 12:40 PM
Fifth wheel brand Pros &Cons j2detoit 5th Wheel Discussion 20 02-11-2006 01:53 PM

» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 04:11 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.