Travel on 1 axle.

[Over59]

Can a tandem axel trailer travel safely on one axel if necessary and the tire rating on that axel is high enough? Is each axel rated to the full trailer weight?

[59toaster]

Well they usualy go tandum because they have reached the limit of a single axle.
That said, there are pictures floating around where it has been done. early 60's overlander is probably light enough not to over load the axle.

Would I advise it?
NO.

[85MH325]

I think Airstream says you can limp up to 30 miles at 30 mph on three (five? ) tires in an emergency, or something similar to that... I didn't look it up, but that's what I have in my failing memory...

And no, each axle is not at the GVWR of the trailer. My trailer weighs 7100lbs dry, and each of my axles is rated at 2800lbs.

Roger

[Ken J]

Paul

That trailer was standard with single axle - double axel was an option. Having said that, I think I would still use both axles - that way if something fails you can still ride on the one axle. To my thinking which axle would I use - what if I pick the wrong one.

Have you thought about going ahead and getting new axles, brakes etc before you tow it home? Then you would have no worries.

The PO of my trailer has been using the trailer before I bought it, he also towed it 750 miles to me - go I took a little more risk figuring it had made it that far - whats another 250 miles. If I had to tow 1000 miles I would have, at minimum bought new tires. And had I thought I could not get tires to fit the rim - probably would have bit the bullet and got the new axles.

Ken

[Over59]

Just trying to save some bucks. I really hate to buy four tires to use once but looks like I'll have to. Maybe I can find wheels for them to fit the new complete hubs. Just have to go get it and figure it out as I go.

[85MH325]

Paul... I would caution you against trying to go with one stock axle on a tandem trailer, even thought the trailers were available with either tandem or single axles. I would assume that they didn't use the two of the single-axle axles on the tandem; that tandems were a lighter axle than on the single, and probably used smaller (read lighter load rating) tires. I had a '57 Overlander with the tandem axles. If your trailer has a tandem setup, I'd leave it that way. Actually, tandems are easier to tow, back more easily, and tend to ride more smoothly with less 'bounce'.

Roger

[Ken J]

Roger

Your probably right - the axles on a tandem are probably lighter/less capacity than then the duel axle trailer - another reason not to ride on one.

For 1000 miles, I would want to make sure I was safe

Ken