Single axle or double axle trailer for ATV

[moonstone gsp]

Looking for some advice on best options and people’s experience.
I will be needing to transport a Polaris atv up to SW Scotland and back to the NW approx 200 mile trip one way approx . 120 miles motorway 80 miles A75. I can see the advantage of a single axle for pulling behind the atv in the field if needed and manoeuvreability. However the twin axle will offer more stability on the motorway and trunk roads.
I was thinking of a trailer size of 8-10 ft bed x 4-5 ft wide.
many thanks.

 

[deerstalker.308]

Personally would not worry, and would go for a snug fit for the bike in the trailer so it can’t move about much? I use an Ifor p7e for a Honda trx 420. Single axle, never caused any bother.

 

[Ranger22]

Double axle tows better, smoother on rough roads. Try and get a trailer with tie down points inside, you don’t loose ratchet straps if they are inside a trailer. An unsecured quad is viewed as an insecure load

 

[moonstone gsp]

Probably leaning towards a single axle.

 

[countrryboy]

Are u hoping to use the trailer off road behind quad also?

If so u want a single exle, but I will say unless ground is flat and level u end up knackering trailer, pulling light cables off etc.
Twin axles are a nightmare to move about by hand esp if bike was still on it, usually have to wind jockey fully up to lift 1st axle of deck.
Single axles are a doddle to spin and manoeuvre by hand.

As far as I know the argest single axle will be 8ft and smallest twin axle will be 8ft

If u decide on a single u will have a choice of braked or unbaked, in my opinion the braked tow far better as on proper suspension rather than indespension units.
While the brakes won't make much difference on motorways with something as light as a quad can make a difference on narrow back roads if pulling with a lighter motor ( wee van, car or jimny)

Also double check width of bike, not a lot of space width wise on a 4ft trailer, been a while since I bought a new bike but every time u did it seemed to be wider than the last, wouldn't surprise me now if some were really tight on a 4ft trailer

 

[moonstone gsp]

Are u hoping to use the trailer off road behind quad also?

If so u want a single exle, but I will say unless ground is flat and level u end up knackering trailer, pulling light cables off etc.
Twin axles are a nightmare to move about by hand esp if bike was still on it, usually have to wind jockey fully up to lift 1st axle of deck.
Single axles are a doddle to spin and manoeuvre by hand.

As far as I know the argest single axle will be 8ft and smallest twin axle will be 8ft

If u decide on a single u will have a choice of braked or unbaked, in my opinion the braked tow far better as on proper suspension rather than indespension units.
While the brakes won't make much difference on motorways with something as light as a quad can make a difference on narrow back roads if pulling with a lighter motor ( wee van, car or jimny)

Also double check width of bike, not a lot of space width wise on a 4ft trailer, been a while since I bought a new bike but every time u did it seemed to be wider than the last, wouldn't surprise me now if some were really tight on a 4ft trailer

Thanks. Great advice. Probably wouldnt tow behind atv on rough ground. You are right about width. The polaris 570 would be a sqeeze on a 4ft wide trailer.
I'll have a look at a decent single axle trailer for the reasons you pointed out.
Thanks.

 

[Norfolk Horn]

Depends if you want to use it for anything else like collecting logs etc, plus the extra space on the trailer could come in when transporting the quad and the deer at the same time

 

[countrryboy]

I used to tow a quad every day, prob doing 20k miles a year.
I know ur not doing massive miles but I was amazed how quick the quad tyres wore a hole in trailer floors, I always tried to look after trailer floor if I could.
Usually put 4 bit of checker plate screwed down but seen that wear with time.
Lately was using 2 strips of cow matting just laid in. Was better as lifts out if u need the trailer for something else, was a bugger shovelling stuff of trailer and catching the checker plate.

If u need a 5ft wide trailer I'd slide a board up each side so quad can't move from side to side

 

[User00047]

I used a P7e previously, borrowed from a mate and found that the load bed being less than 2440mm long would not fit a sheet of ply on the flat.
So I went and bought a P8e with load bed 2510x1450mm for this reason.
Mesh sides and ramp on back.
Very easy to manoeuvre with a single person.
It doesn’t have internal lashing points but these would be very easy to fit yourself.
Would be perfect for most ATVs.

 

[Midgemagnet]

also just replaced p7 with a p8 with mesh sides. tows 110 mile round trip a couple of times week and you wouldn't know its behind you. as ranger 22 says get the tie down points inside

 

[Donkey Basher]

Also depends what you're towing it with... ?

 

[moonstone gsp]

Towing with a new style defender 110 with all the towing tech it shouldn’t be a problem.
I have a IW p6e but it is too short for the sportsman x2 as it’s a bit longer than the standard sportsman

 

[Goingback]

Ifor Williams or Bateman and you cannot go wrong