I am looking at 19 to 19 and a half foot fishing boat, probably new.  Some have tandem axles already and some dont.  ( i am pretty much set on a Stratos 294 Pro XL)  Most of the manufacturers offer the tandem axle on their 19.5 foot boats as an option.  Based on your alls experience and know how do you feel a tandem axle trailer is necessary on a boat of this length? Some things to consider:

On a regular basis, i will NOT be traveling more than say, 100 miles to my fishing destination.

I will possibly once a year take a road trip out of state to a fishing destination.

90% of my fishing will be done with in 60 miles of my house.

I live in Orlando and there are railroad tracks EVERYWHERE!! LOL!

Thanks for the info and opinions! :-?

Tandem axle & brakes  

I for sure know you need brakes . I have surge brakes on my 18.5 boat and I Love them . I know backing up a Tandom trailer is harder but, it would be nice to have if you have a blow out . Dipnet  

I am not a tandem fan...  Maybe if my boat was bigger. (19' champion)  It's twice the tires and maintenance.  I have a spare, and keep the hubs in good shape.  Even if I had a tandem and got a flat, I would change it before proceeding so unless you have 2 flats on the same trip out or back, I don't see the point.  

I used to live 94 miles one way from my lake house and drove it 1-2 times each week (year round) for 5 years with the single axle.  I never wanted a tandem.  

Just my opinion.

I have had both, either way I would be sure it had brakes. If not you will be putting brakes on your tow vehical more ofton and its alot safer. Tandem axle trailers are made for the weight of what its towing, if the boat don't requier one ,why have it. I have a Ranger 521 and a tandem axle trailer and I don't see any graet advatages or disadvantages. So if you don't need it why pay for it, spend the extra on some more gear!

Yeah, trailer will definetly have brakes.  I guess my main conern is the way single axle trailers tend to bounce when going down the road.  I ve just noticed how tandem axles ride better.  But i agree, why pay for it if you dont need it.  Stratos printed hull weight is 1700 lbs so i figure with some gear and an engine your looking at probably 2300 or 2400 lbs.

Tandem axles tow like a dream compared to single axles, no pitching caused by tongue weight changing and behave very well behind a tow vehicle. However if you have to move the boat around by hand in a basement or garage a tandem axle is nearly  impossible to reposition except with a vehicle.

By the way, when considering total weight don't forget, up tp 50 gallons of gas, 2-3 gallons of oil and sometimes 30-40 gallons of water in the livewell.( and of course 20-30 lbs of fish )!!!! It adds up fast. Soft plastics are very heavy.

The last boat I ordered I got the tandem axle and have never regretted doing so. You never know the boat is behind you except when taking off after a stop( due to weight ). I normally only pull my boat 20 miles or less to fish, however I do travel out of state several times a year.

Whatever you decide on get the surge brake with disc. I ordered mine with drum brakes and do regret that decision............................Al

I think you off on you weight guess.

If dry weight of the hull is 1700

you say with motor and gear weight will be 2300, 2400.  

600 to 700 pounds of gear? that's on the low side.

figure the motor weight around 500 maybe more

How many batteries?3 or 4 what is their weight? at 40lbs each (and thats small batteriers) your looking at 120 to 160 lbs

your TM

you will need to put gas in the boat. the weight of that is ?

then all you gear. That can add up quickly

you fishng partners gear.

And don't forget the weight of the trailer. 600 or 700 plus

I have a 17 1/2 aluminum Boat with only a 75HP

I weighed it last year on a CAT truck scale, to see if my wife's new small SUV could tow it.

It weighed in , with tournament gear, full of gas, on the trailer and everthing

around 2500lbs

The tandem axles ride so much better

Get the Tandom, don't let anyone talk you out of it. It tows a huge amount better. Contrary to others opinions, I find they are easier to back. They don't take off in one direction or the other as quick. Get the brakes. Tires will last much longer on a tandom than a single axle.

You are going to find the tow weight on that boat with your grear is going to be over 3,000 pounds. The tires are only rated for approx 1,750 pounds, that's approx 3500 total. I much prefer that extra set under that much load.

Hull 1,700

batteries, 70 each times three 200

Motor 500 if four stroke is over 600

Gas, 40 gallons approx 300

trailer 700

Gear 100

I strongly suggest the tandem rig.  I added a 2nd axle to my trailer even though the weight didn't require it.  The trailer handle and rides better, easier to back up and maneuver with much less oversteer.  The big plus is safety of course.  Lose a tire at speed with a single and you'll not be happy.  

I typically tow about 320 miles RT to my (local) lake, but once a year I tow 4000 miles from AZ to FL.  Real happy to have the second set of tires on that long tow.

Downsides are minimal; double the bearing maintenance and double the cost for tires but well worth the trade off.  

I strongly suggest the tandem rig. I added a 2nd axle to my trailer even though the weight didn't require it. The trailer handle and rides better, easier to back up and maneuver with much less oversteer. The big plus is safety of course. Lose a tire at speed with a single and you'll not be happy.

I typically tow about 320 miles RT to my (local) lake, but once a year I tow 4000 miles from AZ to FL. Real happy to have the second set of tires on that long tow.

Downsides are minimal; double the bearing maintenance and double the cost for tires but well worth the trade off.

kbhere   did you do the work yourself or have it done  if so about what was the cost  less tires and did you have to move the original axel in a different location. i have a 195 ranger single axel and wish i would have gotten the dual  at the time the money was not that much different. to me i makes  a lot of difference in towing my fishing buddy has a tandum trailor and it pull's like a dream compared to mine. ken

kbkindle, If you mess with your Rangertrail Trailer noy only will you void your trailer warr., But you will void your hull warrantee. I'v had Ranger boats for the last 20 years and I'll bet if something happend to your hull and they seen you had modified their trailer, you might be left on the dock. I would check with them first.

kbkindle, If you mess with your Rangertrail Trailer noy only will you void your trailer warr., But you will void your hull warrantee. I'v had Ranger boats for the last 20 years and I'll bet if something happend to your hull and they seen you had modified their trailer, you might be left on the dock. I would check with them first.

kb here thanks man never gave that a thought  but you are right  great advice  kb

kb:

Sorry for not getting back to you sooner.

I had the work done at a trailer shop, total cost was $550.00 which included the tires and rims.  There was sufficient room in front of the original axle to do the install without moving anything.  The difference in handling when towing or manuevering was pretty significant.  Best of luck.