Should I Buy a Single Axle or a Tandem Axle Trailer?

In this blog, we discuss the relative merits of single axle trailer and tandem axle trailers in order to help you decide which type is going to best meet your needs.

Choosing the right size of trailer for your needs

One of the most important considerations when choosing a trailer is the weight of loads you will be carrying.

Single axle trailers will usually have a standard Aggregated Trailer Mass (ATM) of 1,350 kg. If you’re hauling furniture, green waste, or rubbish to the dump, this will likely meet your needs. However, should you need to tow more with a single axle trailer, the ATM can be upgraded to 1,600 kg or 2,000 kg if required.

If you are intending to carry loads weighing more than 2 tonnes, a tandem trailer will be required. Tandem axle trailers generally have a 1,990 kg ATM as standard, although it is possible to upgrade the ATM to 2,800 kg, 3,200 kg, 3,500 kg or 4,500 kg on most models.

Triple axle trailers with a 3,500 kg ATM or 4,500 kg ATM are also available.

Other considerations when buying a trailer

Aside from the weight of the loads you carry and the ATM you need, there are some other factors that need to be considered when choosing between a singe-axle or tandem-axle trailer.

When it comes to reversing with a trailer, or parking up, it will usually be the case that a single axle is easier to manoeuvre, particularly if you are not especially experienced at towing, As they are lighter, a single axle trailer is also easier to hitch to you car on your own, or to move around by hand.

However, if you’re doing a lot of towing, often travel long distances with a trailer attached, or need to drive over uneven terrain, a tandem axle trailer is going to provide a smoother ride. You also get more stability when towing at speed on the open road, or when you are being overtaken by other vehicles.

When it comes to registration, however, there is no difference in cost when you register a single or a tandem axle trailer in South Australia.

Basic Trailers single axle and tandem axle trailers

At Basic Trailers, we are proud of our extensive trailer range of trailers that we have designed to meet a wide variety of needs.

We aim to have all the bases covered, so that no matter whether you need a trailer for work or at home, and regardless of the size of load or what you carry, we have a trailer designed and built in Adelaide and made from 100% Australian steel, to suit your needs.

In addition to our special and custom trailers, we continue to grow our range of single axle and tandem axle trailers, all designed and manufactured to our stringent standards and using the best locally made components.

Read more about our full range of trailer types in order to help you decide whether a single axle trailer or a tandem axle is going to best be able to meet your needs, and deliver the value for money our customers have come to expect when buying a trailer in Adelaide from Basic Trailers.

Single axle trailers

Our range of single axle trailers continues to grow and we are now able to offer models designed for use in a variety of applications. They come in a range of sizes and so there is bound to be a single axle trailer that meets your needs.

• 6 x 4, 1350kg ATM
• 7 x 4, 1350kg ATM
• 7 x 5, 1350kg ATM
• 7 x 6, 1350kg ATM
• 8 x 4, 1350kg ATM
• 8 x 5, 1350kg ATM
• 8 x 6, 1350kg ATM
• 10 x 5, 1350kg ATM
• 10 x 6, 1350kg ATM

• 6x4 (5ft), 1350kg ATM
• 7x4 (5ft), 1350kg ATM
• 7x5 (5ft), 1350kg ATM
• 8x5 (5ft), 1350kg ATM

• 7x4, 1350kg ATM
• 7x5, 1350kg ATM
• 8x4, 1350kg ATM
• 8x5, 1350kg ATM

• 6x4, 1350kg ATM
• 7x4, 1350kg ATM
• 7x5, 1350kg ATM
• 8x4, 1350kg ATM
• 8x5, 1350kg ATM

• 6x4, 1350kg ATM
• 7x4, 1350kg ATM
• 7x5, 1350kg ATM
• 7x6, 1350kg ATM
• 8x4, 1350kg ATM
• 8x5, 1350kg ATM
• 8x6, 1350kg ATM
• 10x5, 1350kg ATM
• 10x6, 1350kg ATM

• 7x4, 1350kg ATM
• 7x5, 1350kg ATM
• 8x5, 1350kg ATM

• 6x4, 1350kg ATM
• 7x4, 1350kg ATM
• 7x5, 1350kg ATM
• 8x5, 1350kg ATM

Tandem axle trailers

We design and manufacture a versatile and durable range of tandem axle trailers in a variety of sizes, and which are suitable for regular use in even the toughest Australian conditions.

• 8 x 4, 1990kg ATM
• 8 x 5, 1990kg ATM
• 8 x 6, 1990kg ATM
• 10 x 5, 1990kg ATM
• 10 x 6, 1990kg ATM
• 12 x 5, 1990kg ATM
• 12 x 6, 1990kg ATM
• 14 x 5, 1990kg ATM
• 14 x 6, 1990kg ATM
• 16 x 5, 1990kg ATM
• 16 x 6, 1990kg ATM
• 18 x 5, 1990kg ATM
• 18 x 6, 1990kg ATM
• 20 x 5, 1990kg ATM
• 20 x 6, 1990kg ATM

• 8x5, 1990kg ATM
• 10x5, 1990kg ATM
• 10x6, 1990kg ATM
• 12x5, 1990kg ATM
• 12x6, 1990kg ATM

• 16x6.4, 1990kg ATM
• 18x6.4, 1990kg ATM

• 14x8, 1990kg ATM
• 16x8, 1990kg ATM
• 18x8, 1990kg ATM
• 20x8, 1990kg ATM
• 22x8, 1990kg ATM
• 24x8, 1990kg ATM

• 14x6.4, 1990kg ATM
• 16x6.4, 1990kg ATM
• 18x6.4, 1990kg ATM
• 20x6.4, 1990kg ATM

• 14x6.4, 1990kg ATM
• 16x6.4, 1990kg ATM
• 18x6.4, 1990kg ATM
• 20x6.4, 1990kg ATM

• 14x6.4, 1990kg ATM
• 16x6.4, 1990kg ATM
• 18x6.4, 1990kg ATM
• 20x6.4, 1990kg ATM

• 14x6.4, 1990kg ATM
• 16x6.4, 1990kg ATM
• 20x6.4, 1990kg ATM

• 8x5 (7ft), 1990kg ATM
• 8x6 (7ft), 1990kg ATM
• 10x5 (7ft), 1990kg ATM
• 10x6 (7ft), 1990kg ATM
• 12x5 (7ft), 1990kg ATM
• 12x6 (7ft), 1990kg ATM

• 8x6, 1990kg ATM
• 8x7, 1990kg ATM
• 10x6, 1990kg ATM
• 10x7, 1990kg ATM
• 10x8, 1990kg ATM
• 12x6, 1990kg ATM
• 12x7, 1990kg ATM
• 12x8, 1990kg ATM
• 14x8, 1990kg ATM

• 8x6, 1990kg ATM
• 8x7, 1990kg ATM
• 10x6, 1990kg ATM
• 10x7, 1990kg ATM
• 10x8, 1990kg ATM
• 12x6, 1990kg ATM
• 12x7, 1990kg ATM
• 12x8, 1990kg ATM
• 14x8, 1990kg ATM
• 16x7, 1990kg ATM
• 16x8, 1990kg ATM
• 18x7, 1990kg ATM
• 18x8, 1990kg ATM
• 20x7, 1990kg ATM
• 20x8, 1990kg ATM
• 22x8, 1990kg ATM
• 24x8, 1990kg ATM

• 8x4, 1990kg ATM
• 8x5, 1990kg ATM
• 8x6, 1990kg ATM
• 10x5, 1990kg ATM
• 10x6, 1990kg ATM

• 8x5, 1990kg ATM
• 10x5, 1990kg ATM
• 10x6, 1990kg ATM

• 8x5, 1990kg ATM
• 10x5, 1990kg ATM
• 10x6, 1990kg ATM
• 12x5, 1990kg ATM
• 12x6, 1990kg ATM
• 14x6, 1990kg ATM

• 8x5, 1990kg ATM
• 10x5, 1990kg ATM
• 10x6, 1990kg ATM
• 12x5, 1990kg ATM
• 12x6, 1990kg ATM
• 14x6, 1990kg ATM

• 8x4, 1990kg ATM
• 8x5, 1990kg ATM
• 8x6, 1990kg ATM
• 10x5, 1990kg ATM
• 10x6, 1990kg ATM
• 10x8, 1990kg ATM
• 12x5, 1990kg ATM
• 12x6, 1990kg ATM
• 14x5, 1990kg ATM
• 14x6, 1990kg ATM
• 16x5, 1990kg ATM
• 16x6, 1990kg ATM
• 18x5, 1990kg ATM
• 20x5, 1990kg ATM
• 20x6, 1990kg ATM

• 8x5, 1990kg ATM
• 10x5, 1990kg ATM
• 10x6, 1990kg ATM
• 12x5, 1990kg ATM
• 12x6, 1990kg ATM
• 14x6, 1990kg ATM

• 8x5, 1990kg ATM
• 8x6, 1990kg ATM
• 10x5, 1990kg ATM
• 10x6, 1990kg ATM

Need more assistance in choosing a single axle or a tandem axle trailer?

If you still aren’t sure whether a single axle trailer or a tandem trailer is going to best suit your needs, we are here to help.

Call us on 1300 770 770, or email us with your enquiry, and a member of our friendly, knowledgeable team will be happy to help so that you can make an informed decision.