Gents,

I'm fascinated by these Futura trailers. I'm getting too old to drive my a/c-less Miata 200+ miles to and from events. I've had to abandon the car once at VIR for a broken rear hub that happened on a Sunday at about 1600, and another time at Summit Point for a grenaded oil pump. It's just time. I have a 2004 Tundra 4.7 to use as a tow vehicle. I want one of these...

Futura Single Axle Trailer | Low Loader Trailers | Futura Trailer

Has anyone done considerable towing with a single axle trailer and would care to share their thoughts?

Thanks,

I would say since it's an airbag system the single axle as long as it's 3500 should be fine.
That does seem like a great trailer and lightweight, no need for a winch. I wonder where they store the battery for the airbag operation.

I do not believe it's airbag. AFAIK, the axle rotates. It comes with a winch-like unit to do that. But I could be wrong. I've been wrong before...

In that case, I think that Brian Goodwin may have (or had) one of these - I saw it at Miatas at MRLS a couple years ago. He has the two axle version though. You might reach out to him for input.

Honestly, I'm more interested in experience with a single axle trailer from any vendor rather than experience with those specific Futura trailers. I've seen Futuras up close. Completely bad ass.

The only thing to consider is failure mode of a single axle trailer. I blow it on a double axle trailer we usually be just fine because you have the other axle supporting that side. On a single axle trailer it can be catastrophic.

I towed on 3 wheels for like 300 miles once before I stopped and noticed the shredded 4th.

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...71b923db77.jpg

Yeah, single axle would be a big no for me. My trailer has three :)

--Ian

Got my first chance to test the new suspension setup on the V8 4Runner this weekend. Bilstein B6 4600 shocks, Moog V84R springs, Firestone Ride Rite bags. Sunny picture is unloaded with the bags inflated to 20psi and overcast photo is with the Uhaul trailer loaded. Guessing about 4700-4800# and 100-200 pounds of tools, wheels, etc in the back. I know the bags aren't the ideal setup but it worked great to stop the wheelie and put some more weight on the front tires.

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...d715f35d92.jpg
Unloaded
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...2553d0b08c.jpg
Loaded

I passed a triple axle trailer on the way home from work yesterday. It was parked on the side of the highway with all 3 right side tires blown out... Not saying that's common, but if one goes and you're heavy, the other one or two could also go. I've had a flat with a single axle and as long as you have a spare it just isn't that big of a deal. 85mph on the down side of a mountain pass, maybe a different story.

All three on one side could mean debris on the road.

The first time I towed my enclosed trailer up to Thunderhill I lost a tire on the way up. It was completely uneventful, I didn't even know it had happened until someone pulled up next to me and shouted over at 60 mph to tell me. Now I've got TPMS on the trailer tires just so I can keep tabs on it.

http://www.codrus.com/cars/tpd/tpd-60.jpg

--Ian

What TPMS did you go with and are you happy with it?

TireTraker TT-600 (https://www.tiretraker.com/products.php?cat=2), seems to work fine.

Batteries in the senders last about a year, I keep a 10-pack of them in the truck and when one starts acting up I just replace them all. I needed to mount the optional repeater in the trailer to get a consistent signal through, that depends on your trailer length and construction. The UI on the head unit is a little clunky, but it gets the job done.

--Ian

Im still trying to pick out what ball hitch to get for my Tahoe. This is my first tow vehicle so I'm clueless about any off this stuff. My plans for it include:

Leveling bags in the rear
Better Brakes/rotors/pads/cooling
Larger trans cooler

Right now I'll only be using uhaul trailers or renting open aluminum trailers from a local shop

I just installed a TireMinder i10 TPMS.
https://www.minderresearch.com/tirem...-transmitters/
Super easy install, nice looking, and customizable to any vehicle/trailer setup you want with up to 199psi monitoring with temp monitoring. Waiting to go use my trailer to test it out but worked driving around the neighborhood. comes with a signal booster for the trailer which I attached to the trailer plug coming from the truck so it doesn't run down my trailer battery in storage.
5% discount code (OAP5) currently and no tax when purchased at https://www.outdooradventureproducts...-and-trailers/
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...f1c45c39fd.png

They have a cheaper version from TireMinder which is solar powered and limited to 4 tires but only limited to 70 psi tires. I'm running 10ply Maxxis tires with a max pressure of 80psi so i had to go with the more featured version.
https://www.outdooradventureproducts...ms-4-tire-kit/
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...7c80504615.png

A little late to the single axle trailer discussion but that's what we use. We built our trailer and we knew what we were getting into. We bought 5500 lb axles and 6000 lb brakes (even though we have yet to hook up the brakes). The axles are independent, rubber spring, and dropped. The tires are from a light truck and are speed rated for over 100 mph and can carry 2275 each. The car's roof on the trailer is lower than most sedans and we can get the car on the trailer with the splitter installed although it is a made-to-rules splitter which doesn't extend past the bodywork. The car weighs 2100 lbs and the trailer is 1500 lbs so we doubt we will ever have an axle issue.

It aint pretty, but it works. It tows extremely well due to the low hanging weight. And we save quite a bit on maintenance, tires, and tolls. Yes, we'd better hope an axle never gives out but since we tow up to 1600 miles away, even with a dual axle trailer, we'd likely be stuck anyhow if that far from home.

Attachment 236514

Come to think of it, i've had a leaf spring failure on a single axle trailer. A trailer that was professionally engineered and built for a specific boat, by an OEM and was mass produced. That resulted in the trailer needing to be flatbedded. So check your leaf springs! Not sure what you would check, but it is a critical failure mode single axle trailers.

I don't know about lakes, but trailer springs in salt water don't last very long. Even the ones with the heavy galvanizing. So yeah, if it was meant for a boat trailer or spends lots of time close to salt air, springs are consumables.

Can your tow rig do this?

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...787de0abf1.gif
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...d605d798a8.gif