Ifor williams 14ft livestock trailer .

[lloyd]

Which is best for above, the tandem axles with
bigger wheels and brakes or tri axle with smaller ones ?
Both will be with wheels on the outside.

Currently running 12 ft boxes and looking at changing
one to a 14.

 

[bobajob]

We have a tri axle 14' here, wheels on the outside. It's more stable with cattle in it than the type with small wheels.

Plus those wee wheels don't last long till the tread is worn off them, never done buying tyres...

 

[lloyd]

We have a tri axle 14' here, wheels on the outside. It's more stable with cattle in it than the type with small wheels.

Plus those wee wheels don't last long till the tread is worn off them, never done buying tyres...

Thanks for reply but looking at the option of tandem with bigger wheels
on the outside or tri axle with smaller wheels on the outside.
The diameter of the brakes on the tandem are bigger and the tyres
are a heavier ply rating .If the tri had the same size brakes per axle and the same ply rated tyres it would be an easy choice.

 

[bobajob]

Ah I see, another thing - I have heard people say they prefer wheels underneath if they have narrow lanes so they don't catch the tyres at the roadsides. I don't know if that's a consideration where you are.

 

[Lakesdigger]

Thanks for reply but looking at the option of tandem with bigger wheels
on the outside or tri axle with smaller wheels on the outside.
The diameter of the brakes on the tandem are bigger and the tyres
are a heavier ply rating .If the tri had the same size brakes per axle and the same ply rated tyres it would be an easy choice.

Brakes will be sized according to wheel size. A bigger wheel will need bigger brakes to stop it rotating than a smaller wheel. If you travel lots of straight flat roads tri axles follow well. But the smaller lower profile tyres mean they skid round corners and so front and back axles will wear tyres if you do a lot of turning.

 

[cotswoldcs]

Twin axle 14' here and no complaints. Until we get a puncture....

...but then a third less likely to get a puncture.

 

[lloyd]

Twin axle 14' here and no complaints. Until we get a puncture....

...but then a third less likely to get a puncture.

I've been told the tyres on the twin axle have a higher ply rating .

 

[Jackov Altraids]

I had the same dilemma. I couldn't find any advice except on American websites where they advised triple axles for longer trailers. But their longer trailers would be over 20'.
I went for larger twin wheels on my 14' and have been happy.

My reasoning was that the geometry of a triple axle made the trailer too stable making it more likely to boss the towing vehicle.
Also, axles in the pair are higher rated for when 1 takes all the load compared to triples.

 

[Dave W]

For my money tri axle every time without consideration.
BUT...
Ifor use big wheels which are spaced well apart which in turn leads to premature tyre wear and the trailer wanting to boss the car due to the overall wheel base being too long.
Tri axles with little wheels are more tightly spaced and the overall wheel base is about the same as a twin axle with big wheels.

I've not once had a single issue with a tri axle on little wheels

 

[ollandroverman]

For my money tri axle every time without consideration.
BUT...
Ifor use big wheels which are spaced well apart which in turn leads to premature tyre wear and the trailer wanting to boss the car due to the overall wheel base being too long.
Tri axles with little wheels are more tightly spaced and the overall wheel base is about the same as a twin axle with big wheels.

I've not once had a single issue with a tri axle on little wheels

I think all ifor tri- axles are the same axle spacing regardless of larger or smaller wheels.
However, I would agree... Be a little more cautious of tri axle ifor williams if you are towing with light or softly sprung vehicles. That said. I have a tri axle ifor with wheels under, and I think it is great.

 

[fermerboy]

I've a 14ft Tri axle Ifor stock trailer here, in fact near everybody round here has the same, hardly see a 12ft twin axle now.
The brakes are smaller on the tri axle, thought the wheels were the same but could easily be higher ply.
I personally would go three axles again, rides very well, and stable too. My father in law has a 12ft DP120 with baby wheels underneath and its a dangerous swingy trailer compared to mine.

The big problem with a 14ft box is that you can't fill it legally. Think mine is about 1300kg empty leaving a legal load of 2200kg, The trailer can take more no bother and mine does about the farm, often run with 4 suckler cows, or 8 yearling Ch x stores which would be grossing nearer 4500kg.
The 3 axles sit fine with that on it, don't think I'd like the box so full on a twin.
I drag mine with a Hilux which compounds the legal weight issue.

Think the extra axle only adds about 100kg so not much gain by going for a twin.
If staying within the law is an issue by a 12ft one, it will hold all you need.

 

[Hilly]

I’ve had 14’ tri little wheels since they started making them and they have been ok for me , if I was changing now I’d go gamic tho .

 

[upnortheast]

Got a 14 ft tri axle. Only thing I would say, best with 2 internal gates so you can keep the weight in the right place. If you only have a couple of cows in and they both stand at the back navigation can be interesting

 

[Farmer_Joe]

Anyone got a second hand one I’m after 14ft tri axle livestock with decks

 

[ricky_rascal]

I've a 14ft Tri axle Ifor stock trailer here, in fact near everybody round here has the same, hardly see a 12ft twin axle now.
The brakes are smaller on the tri axle, thought the wheels were the same but could easily be higher ply.
I personally would go three axles again, rides very well, and stable too. My father in law has a 12ft DP120 with baby wheels underneath and its a dangerous swingy trailer compared to mine.

The big problem with a 14ft box is that you can't fill it legally. Think mine is about 1300kg empty leaving a legal load of 2200kg, The trailer can take more no bother and mine does about the farm, often run with 4 suckler cows, or 8 yearling Ch x stores which would be grossing nearer 4500kg.
The 3 axles sit fine with that on it, don't think I'd like the box so full on a twin.
I drag mine with a Hilux which compounds the legal weight issue.

Think the extra axle only adds about 100kg so not much gain by going for a twin.
If staying within the law is an issue by a 12ft one, it will hold all you need.

I’d agree with that. Last time I changed my trailer I had a 12’ double axle. Decided I was going tri axle as had towed one owned by someone else. So considered a 14’ but when I stopped and thought about legal towing weight opted for a 12’ tri axle. Tows well behind a d-max both empty and full. Mine is on 13 inch wheels which makes it slightly lower. It isn’t an ifor though being a Graham Edwards.

Locally there is an advantage to a trailer with wheels under in that on way to York there is a bridge with width restriction solid bollards that my trailer won’t go through. Means a short detour round via Stamford Bridge.