I'm looking to buy an 18.5' bass boat soon and have seen several of the same boats some on single axles and some on doubles. Is there a benefit of a double for a boat this size? I was concerned about getting a double bc I mgiht have to man handle the boat a little to make it fit right in my garage - but I don't know if I should rule out doubles if there is a true benefit? I also take the 45/130 toll ways sometimes to fish so I guess that would be another small downside to the double. Any advice is appreciatated.

Thanks,

for that size boat there is no need for a tandem, just more expense for tires/maintenance and is harder to manhandle.

Agree with Hop. I have seen 20ft bass boats with single axel but they have 15in tires and wheels.

In full agreement with these guys......go single on a boat that size.........

Thanks for the feedback everyone!

I have a 1991 19'6" ranger fish and ski on a single and have not had any problems so far, this past weekend we took it camping and had the boat loaded with an extra 800lbs

Go single with trailer brakes.

I have an 18 ft bass boat with tandem axles and I love it...I also store it in my garage.

I have a 19'9" Ranger. It is sitting on a single axle Ranger Trail trailer. It has 14" tires and wheels. Drag it to Fork all the time from Waxahachie and have never had a problem. But, and this is a big but, you have to keep up on air pressure, maintenance, and tire wear. A single axle will do the job if the boat you find is sitting on one. Yes, I would rather have a dual axle trailer because it has virtually no load on the tires compared to a single axle but its not a deal breaker and I dont want one bad enough to spring for a new trailer or whole rig. LOL

I have a zx190 and love my tandem axle. Looks so much better too!

That's a sharp looking boat.
My ZX190 came with a single axle and without the folding tongue.
If I could do it again I would get a tandem axle with a folding tongue.
My trailer came without any branding. Iguana Graphics made me some bugs. I have one at the front and one right in front of the wheel well.

I guess I am too practical but I really could care less about how a trailer looks. Now the boat is different.

Single with brakes and keep up on the maintenance and it will serve you well...plus easier to move if you need to do it by hand.

First time you are watching oncoming speeding18 wheeelers pass inches away while crouched on the side of the ole' Interstate removing a shredded tire on a single axle trailer, you will appreciate the difference in safety. With dual axles, you slow and drive on to the tire shop.

As to tire wear or bearing wear,it is almost negligible on a dual axle trailer as the individual weight on a wheel is about half.

I turn mine by myself pushing it in/out of an awkward storage space with 4 inches totalclearance by hand....not as easy but just takes bit more time thanks to invention of radial tires and Ranger's torsion axles .