Is a tandem axle trailer needed here?

[Mountaineer]

The dealer says I SHOULD buy a single axle trailer. Everyone else is saying to get tandem. Tandem is over $1k extra.
I'll be carrying max 2000 pounds of equipment around.
I will be commuting over 1.5 hours a day on the highway, gas costing extra with the added weight.
The dealer says you should only consider a tandem when towing over 2000 pounds in the trailer. And he swares it won't be a bumpy ride for the tools.

Who to believe? I don't want to overspend, or even tow more weight than I must. Plus why would the dealer down-sell? Thanks.

[Ross]

I built a tandem axle trailer. Luv it. I use the single axle trailers 10:1 more often. I think a single is good enoug, I think you'll save gas and money, and if it isn't good enough those savings will help off set any depreciation when/if you sell the single axle.

[Bearfootfarm]

My 2000 lb boat (empty) came with a single axle trailer and I never had any problems with it. Just make sure the axle is rated for that much weight

[Columbia,SC.]

If you can afford the extra $ I would go for the extra set of wheels on the ground. If you had a blow out you could whip and wreck, thus loosing everything on the trailer and possably causing a crash for you and everyone around you. I do not think the extra gas would amount to much and the ride would be better with less bounce with a lighter load. Also you can change a flat tire with out a jack on most trailers with tandem wheels by rolling up on a set of blocks raising the other wheel off of the ground.
My vote says get the tandem if you can afford it, nothing costs more than the price of regret. I.E> I wish I would have........

Single unless over 14 feet of bed.

I have built 2 trailers with single axles. I use 3500 pound axles and make sure the axle is aft of CG (usually 10%). I also put brakes on them. I also use SQUARE and RECTANGULAR TUBING. My first one made the ALCAN trip 8 years ago from NC. It has been down some very rough roads and over loaded many times with topsoil and wood. We run 70 MPH with 2 ATV's and weekend fixings on them all summer.

[Mountaineer]

It's 14'.
Thanks. I'm leaning toward single. It even comes with a spare!! Kind of helps with the flat situation.

[spam4einstein]

I have a 10x5 heavy duty single. No problems and I have had as much as 2,300lbs loaded on it and towed that load 500miles. I was using car tires and that was a mistake! But other than overloading the tires it was no problem. Make sure you have the right tires for your weights. Used car tires are ok for bopping around with lighter loads but not very good for what you are describing.

MAKE SURE YOU UNDERSTAND TOUNGE WEIGHT if using a single axle!!!!!!

[Beeman]

Single should work fine IF...you have a heavy enough axle, the right size and weight carrying capacity tires and BRAKES. Also have to know it has to be loaded correctly as single axle is less forgiving, too much tongue weight can hurt you, too little can kill you.

[unioncreek]

One thing to consider is will you be hauling more weight in the future? I would recommend bigger than you think you'll need. I've alway had to borrow a trailer then I found an old two horse and bought it for $250, removed the tack area so I could haul another cow. I've been looking for a couple of years for an old camp tailer to build into a flatbed. Finally found one for nothing and am just about done rebuilding the frame. I'll probably have $300 into it and I know it'll not be big enough when I'm done, but I can sell it later on and get a bigger one.

Bobg