Topic: Question(s) on tandem trailers – “limping”

Ive owned a lot of tandem axle trailers and have never had any axle problems while traveling. I got to wondering the other day about limping a tandem on one axle if I had to. Has anyone ever had to do this before? What is the best way to hold the affected axle up? If you use rope or straps, what do you tie it off to? Just thought it would be nice to know ahead of time instead of trying to figure it out along the highway some night......

This topic has 6 replies, 4 voices, and was last updated 17 years, 3 months ago by PumaTrac.

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January 31, 2008 at 4:29 am #268819

Bass Cat Boats
Keymaster

Dont know about limping on one axle because your springs would pivot. It might could be done, dont know. Im sure someone will be along to comment. I do know that if you lose a hub and you dont have a replacement with you, you can limp on three wheels. This happened to us just this past fall. Dont know what a safe distance to travel in this fashion would be but you can limp in this manner until you can get it fixed. Joe Murray

January 31, 2008 at 4:44 am #268820

Bass Cat Boats
Keymaster

Yes you can drop one wheel and jack the axle up, “limping” in on three wheels. The distance is a long ways with caution.

January 31, 2008 at 9:20 pm #268821

txpuma.basscatowners
Participant

02 JagCat, Yes it can be done. I had to do this once when a tire blew out and there was nowhere to safely stop and change it. Mine was a rear tire and it carried more weight than the front one. Even though the springs did indeed pivot, I was able to limp along slowly for about 15 miles. Not recommended but sometimes ya gotta do what ya gotta do!

January 31, 2008 at 9:33 pm #268822

Bass Cat Boats
Keymaster

Couldnt you drop the wheels on both sides of the affected axle, tie the axle up and go? Isnt it the 3rd wheel thats causing the springs to pivot? Ive done this on landscape trailers with no problem. JMO.

February 1, 2008 at 12:01 am #268823

Bass Cat Boats
Keymaster

Actually the axle would have to be the front one to remove the wheels on both sides because of tongue weight. If the rear axle were effected then there could be negative tongue weight. We suggest only suspending the one effected end of that axle. BCB

February 1, 2008 at 1:35 am #268824

PumaTrac
Participant

BCB….Thanks for the info. I had not taken into consideration the tongue weight. Ill add that to my “Are you smarter than a 5th grader?” file.
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