Johnw, glad you asked however I’m not going to get in an internet argument so let’s see what we can agree upon.
Can we agree adding an axle reduces the load on all the tires, bearings, brakes and wheels by 50%? Can we agree adding an axle increases your braking capacity by 50%?
And because of the reduced load and increased braking can we agree all six tires, bearings, brakes and wheels run cooler? That’s been my experience checking with an infrared thermometer.
Can we agree all of the above reduces, (perhaps by 50%) and surely does not increase your “blowout odds” some folks here on the “Nuts rattle on about and whatever the heck that is?
Can we agree adding an axle decreases the percent of the maximum capacity of the tires, bearings, brakes and wheels that’s being used, creating an always present safety cushion so to speak especially if for some reason said capacity was suddenly reduced say by a blowout?
Can we agree losing a tire on a four tire trailer represents 25% loss of capacity and braking?
Can we agree when, not if, that happens the load on the only other tire on that side instantly doubles?
Can we agree the second tire is then likely to fail resulting in one side completely without tires or brakes?
That’s what happened to me when I lost one tire and then the other on the same side towing a two axle trailer. Man, when that second one blew lemme tell ya things got really really sporty and I don’t wish that on anybody!
My tow vehicle outweighing the boat and trailer is the only thing that kept the wife and I in this world. The tail was wagging the dog at any brake application so I just kept downshifting that F-450 Crew Cab Dually 4X4 and everything stayed in a straight line while one side of that two axle trailer ground itself down to nothing!
And now I just love the tri axle I’m towing. If on a downhill I activate the brakes there’s six of them and they don’t get nearly as hot as those four brakes and tires and wheels and bearings used to.
And now my boat is an additional 6 feet further from my truck, no more immersing any truck part in salt water.
Going down the road, input from trailer to truck has been virtually eliminated it’s smooth sailing.
You’re starting from no trailer at all, so except for more buy in cost what do you see as any disadvantages with a triple axle over a dual?
It is longer, I’m 62 feet instead of 56, there’s two more tires every five or so years, brakes actually are lasting longer, so I dunno.
Also, can you let me know the heaviest weight you’ve towed and how far?
Me, I’m in my 60s, heaviest was 80,000 pounds and that was for hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of thousands of miles.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not holding myself out as some mistake free, on high “blowout odds” guru; when I pulled heavy I blew an engine on the uphill and had to get out on the fuel tank ready to jump because the brakes weren't going to hold her on that incline once she stopped and one time I laid the whole thing on it’s side after tearing the back trailer completely loose; Johnw, I am the voice of experience.