Will Adding a 2ND Axle to a Boat Trailer Increase The Tread Life Of The Tires?
Updated 02/03/2026 | Published 07/04/2024
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Question:
Curious about adding a second axle to my boat trailer and wondering how to go about doing that. I am a pervious customer to etrailer. Im guessing my axle I have now under my boat trailer is a 3k or 3.5k but Im not sure. My tires do not last but a couple years and wondered if a second axle would help. Thanks
asked by: Karl K
Expert Reply:
Honestly Karl, adding a 2nd axle to your boat trailer is not going to increase your tire life enough to justify all the costs needed to add an Axle # e65GR, new Hanger Kit # APT9, 4 Leaf Springs # e54SR plus the cost of the additional wheels and tires. And while the tires may last longer you are going to have 4 on the ground wearing instead of 2 so the tires would have to last over twice as long to make sense. I would start by checking to see if you can switch to Radial tires which tend to have better tread life if you currently have Bias tires.
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Tandem-Axle Trailer Hanger Kit for Double-Eye Springs - 2-1/2" Front/Rear/Center
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Samuel C.
2/3/2026
Hey Karl, how did things go after checking into switching to radial tires for your boat trailer? Your results could really help others thinking about ways to improve tire life without adding another axle.