E-AT_me

me and the wife are looking into towing our miata and eventual H5 car. i am currently looking into trailers. i have found a few good ones, including this one:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...l1318

seems pretty nice and ok affordability wise, plus it's light. i've got an F150 with a straight six and a 4 speed manual ("granny first") so i know it can do the job. heck, it towed my friends prelude on a 2200lb uhaul trailer..

but what i'm wondering, is that the seller in another auction listed a smaller trailer with a single axle. what i'd like to know is from some of the guys who have towed all up on a single axle trailer. it's different than a tow dolly, cause then you have the two rear wheels down. i guess i'm just worried a blow-out will destroy my entire rig and weekend.

let me know what you think. i'd like to pull less weight and spend less money if the single axle is perfectly fine for my needs, but i'm just worried about the safety issues.

bosco500

I've towed with both. The only reason I would tow with a single axle again is if I just simply couldn't afford a double axle. A double axle is going to be a lot more stable and is easier to distribute the weight of the vehicle being towed (front to rear). I also hate being passed by a big truck or motorhome pulling a single axle trailer. Too much stress on the cranium.

essex

Some of these guys didn't like the single.

https://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=2275326

E-AT_me

thanks for the replys. i think i'll wait and scratch up enough funds for a double axle. just safer all around.

GI8U2racing

I was exactly in your boat a month ago. My CRX is under 2000 lb, and I only have an F150. However, I sprung for the Bri-Mar 16 ft open trailer. I got mine for $2539, and couldn't be happier. It is super light, awesome brakes, D-rings already on it (and right where I want them), a warranty, LED lights, etc.

EMod Civic

My single axle trailer tows far better than the double axle trailer it replaced. I built the single axle trailer myself, so I made it light and low. Before, I had a normal double axle car hauller that weighed 1800lbs and had a deck height of around 18". My trailer weighs about 800lbs and has a deck height of about 10". Lowering the CG height of the car by 8+ inches is a huge benefit in handling. I have used this single axle trailer for over 10yrs now, and it probably has at least 50k miles by now.

Pros for the single axle
- lighter
- less rolling resistance
- easier to turn
- less likely to get a flat (1st tire kicks nail up, 2nd tire runs it over on dual axle)
- less stress on bearings from low speed cornering (scrub)

Cons for single axle
-not sure how it would handle with a flat, but I doubt it would be a problem.
-must carry a spare tire
-placement of load is more critical, but once you get it right it isn't any big deal

-Chris

89civicdx

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by EMod Civic &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">My single axle trailer tows far better than the double axle trailer it replaced. I built the single axle trailer myself, so I made it light and low. Before, I had a normal double axle car hauller that weighed 1800lbs and had a deck height of around 18". My trailer weighs about 800lbs and has a deck height of about 10". Lowering the CG height of the car by 8+ inches is a huge benefit in handling. I have used this single axle trailer for over 10yrs now, and it probably has at least 50k miles by now.

Pros for the single axle
- lighter
- less rolling resistance
- easier to turn
- less likely to get a flat (1st tire kicks nail up, 2nd tire runs it over on dual axle)
- less stress on bearings from low speed cornering (scrub)

Cons for single axle
-not sure how it would handle with a flat, but I doubt it would be a problem.
-must carry a spare tire
-placement of load is more critical, but once you get it right it isn't any big deal

-Chris
</TD></TR></TABLE>

Can you post pics of yours ....and how you made it 10" GC or how you made it in general?

Thanks

E-AT_me

you bring up some good points.. i'll probably be towing a car close to yours, too. H5 Civic/CRx.

EMod Civic

Pics as requested. I just built it out of 3" angle - there's really not much to a trailer frame. I got it low by using a torsion axle with 4" drop spindles. This way, the centerline of the wheels is actually above the deck height, and the axle beam bolts directly to the bottom of the frame (no leaf springs to take up height).

I have since added a tire rack that places my tires over the hood of the car. Seems to be costing me about 1-2mpg. That, or I was just in a hurry to get home Sunday.




-Chris

turboteener

I know that trailer. Seen it in person. Good design.

kedwards

I agree with EMod Civic, small and light is a good way to go. I don't know how long a Miata is, but that 15' trailer looks to be 2-3' longer than you need.

I towed a 2200 lb. race car to Ohio and back, on a borrowed single-axle home-made trailer. Worked well. Just balance your load for a good tongue weight.

The tandem axle that I built has worked well for me, for 20+ years. It weighs about 800 lbs.

The lower you go, the better, not just for handling. The lower, the shorter your ramps need to be. Mine's deck is 13" high.

Remember that in Virginia, trailers with a GVWR&lt;3000 lb. don't require annual inspection (or brakes).

Keith

badboyr66

I was all about single axle... til I blew a tire

2005avtj

I would get a double axle for sure…and torsion axles they say it rides better than the leaf spring

bosco500

Just picked this one up for 4K. Will beat the **** out of hotel rooms!

JuanTushag

That single axle looks great. And its been in use for 10 years!?!?! you cant beat that.

Im all about safety , but also using the right tool for the job. It just seems to me that for a 2000lb car and the stuff we carry that a single will work.

I would just be sure that the tires are the best you can afford. I had a new double axle that came with crappy tires , i think thats worse than a properly built single with good tires

4d_POWER

I'd go with the double axle.
I have a Rebellious double axle w/box and tire rack, good place to keep tires/tools/everything else you need.
Very sturdy and stable.
Got it off Ebay as well.

Good luck!

kedwards

A 3rd gen Civic should fit on this trailer
http://norfolk.craigslist.org/rvs/752459381.html
and it is in Waynesboro.

You and your wife could probably sleep in the box up front.

Keith