Trailers for Pontoons

Axles, Hubs and Bearings - Yes there is a difference

Our axles have #3500 carrying capacity. The way the capacity is determined is by the size of the hub (on the end of the steel axle shaft) and the size of the bearings. The photo below illustrates the difference between our hubs and bearings and another leading manufacturers. Bigger is better because it reduces friction and dissipates heat better.  

Our #3500 hub and bearings set is on the left. The set on the right is from a leading pontoon trailer manufacturer. Note the size of the bearing.	Some manufacturers attach a capacity tag to their axles. Larger trailer manufacturers often make their own axles and often the capacity is not noted on the axle itself.
Axles - spring suspension versus torsion axle

In a spring axle, springs absorb road shock. In a torsion axle rubber cords inside the axle absorb shock.

Most pontoon boat trailer use a spring axle suspension. Manufacturers who use torsion axles pay a premium for this style of axle with a benefits of time and labor savings in assembling the axle to the frame. The reported benefit of torsion axles, beside the manufacturing time savings, is that they are claimed to give a better ride. Rubber “cords” inside the axle absorb road shock, while road shock is passed onto the springs on a spring axle pontoon trailer. There is controversy regarding which system is better for tandem axle pontoon trailers and the internet is full of pro and con postings. Over a lifetime of towing both styles we’re not sure the smoothness is much of a benefit. You might be able to recognize a difference on a smooth road with a small tow vehicle where vibration is easily transferred, but we’ve always towed with large vehicles. Our tandem axle pontoon trailer with spring axles has an equalizer bar between the two axles that reduces road shock from one axle to the other. On torsion axle pontoon trailers the axles are independent but both are bolted to the frame. When a torsion axle encounters a pothole, it “clocks” to absorb the shock, but the second tire and axle hits the pothole and the shock is again transferred through the frame. On a tandem axle spring axle pontoon trailer the equalizer bar raises the back axle when the front axle drops into a pot hole and the back tire “steps” over the pothole. Most knowledgeable people who tow agree that for rough roads the spring axle with equalizer bar will transfers less shock to the pontoon trailer frame. Wide axle pontoon trailers (many are 8’ wide) face another difficulty, if the outside wheel drops off the side of the road at high speed. Its easy to ruin the axle spindle and hub. This problem can occur with a spring or torsion axle pontoon trailer but with a spring axle you only need to replace the end unit or hub, $50+. in parts while the whole torsion axle usually must be replaced, for about $300+

To recap, if your towing on smooth roads with a smaller tow vehicle, a torsion axle system might offer some benefit. All of our trailers use the old fashion, tried and proven spring axle system and we believe it to be the best system and superior for wide axle tandem trailers.