The Case for Triple-Axle Trailers Is a Fallacy

      Hart Trailers via YouTube

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      When it comes to hauling heavy loads, conventional thinking suggests that having more axles on a trailer is advantageous. Just consider the specially designed haulers that transport million-pound superloads—they have more axles than you’d find in a rodeo parking lot. However, what if having more axles isn't always the best approach? Randy Stamper from Hart Trailer claims that a well-constructed tandem axle is superior to a triple axle, and after hearing his reasoning, you'll likely agree.

      “We don’t want to dismiss what people desire,” Stamper acknowledges, “but at the same time, we feel responsible for promoting what’s truly best for them.”

      Hart is so convinced that heavy-duty tandems outperform triples, that the company refuses to manufacture trailers with triple axles. It’s true. They receive numerous inquiries for triples, prompting Stamper to publish a video that details how they arrived at this stance.

      In the video, he showcases 7,000-pound and 8,000-pound axles with 16-inch wheels and tires for comparison. He then presents a set of 10,000-pound axles with 17.5-inch wheels and 12,000-pound axles with 19.5-inch wheels. Displaying these axles side by side highlights their significant differences. The 19.5-inch wheels are considerably sturdier than the 16-inch ones and can accommodate a much more robust tire, while the larger axles also feature significantly larger hubs and brakes. While it's possible to fit a larger tire on a 7,000-pound axle, its braking capacity is only half that of the 12,000-pound models.

      Examine the brakes and hubs on a 7,000-pound axle compared to those on a 12,000-pound axle. Hart Trailer via YouTube

      Furthermore, Stamper points out a more fundamental drawback of triple axles. Since these trailers pivot around the center of the middle axle, the outer axles are dragged along, causing wear on the tires and spindles during turns. This issue does not arise with tandem axles. Consequently, Stamper asserts, “We believe that two axles are better than three axles regardless of how you arrange them.”

      I believe this clarifies why two 12,000-pound axles are superior to three 8,000-pound ones. Although the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) may be identical, other aspects do not match up. It’s often said that there are multiple ways to do something, but in this case, one solution is clearly better than the others.

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