Single Axle vs. Tandem & Sway

[Ridgerunner3]

I have very little experience towing a single axle trailer. Do single axle trailers tend to sway more easily than a tandem axle trailer? I am asking because of my recent U-Haul trailer experience.

I recently towed a single axle U-Haul enclosed trailer (5 X 8 box) on a 1000 mile trip. The trailer was sitting level and was loaded with at least 60% of weight in front of the axle. I was traveling at 60 mph on I-40. The rear view mirror view of the trailer looked like the trailer was swaying much of the time. Tire pressure was at 45# on load range C tires. I did not feel the sway in my truck it just looked like it was swaying in the mirror. I have towed the same route with tandem axle U-Haul trailers (6 X 12) with no indication of sway. I'm leaning towards renting the larger trailer in the future, even when I don't need all of that room, to avoid the sway issues of the single axle trailer.

[ROBERT CROSS]

Our 63 Safari was much more susceptible to cross-winds and 18 wheelers than our Classic, using the same Reese WD with friction sway control.
The second axle improves tracking, a third axle even more.

Both single and dual need to be loaded correctly with tongue weight set appropriately.

But....I wouldn't go by those u-haul boxers, I think they would dance no matter who the partner.

Bob

[dznf0g]

The other factor in more sway potential in shorter trailers is the distance from rear TV axle to center of trailer axle(s). The longer the distance between the two the less prone to sway.
Other factors include TV wheelbase and TV rear overhang.
But generally speaking more trailer axles = less sway potential, given the other parameters mentioned are equal.

[RickDavis]

From a practical standpoint I have never had sway problems with a single axle, however my tow vehicle was usually overkill for small trailers anyway.

What you will notice is a lot more bounce and pitching on road joints, humps etc. With the 70 globetrotter anything stored in the back would end up in the front of the trailer by days end.
Some will say the multi axle is safer in the event of a tire failure, and that certainly makes sense, however over the years I have experienced both a lost wheel and a couple blow outs with a single axle never a hint of a control problem .
The bang from the exploding tire can give you a pretty good scare however.

[dkottum]

I've had both single and tandem axles Airstreams and never noticed much difference in sway, neither were a problem and both suffered from heavy crosswinds and semis passing. That was cured with a ProPride hitch.

What I did notice was the single axle seemed to be moved about by grove tracks in older asphalt roadways quite a bit more.