When you’re heading into the bush or visiting a local yard, knowing what size trailer do I need for firewood Tasmania winters require is the difference between a warm house and a broken axle. We take our heating seriously down here, and wood is heavy, much heavier than people realise, especially when it’s green or wet.
A 6×4 trailer with high cages is a popular choice for many, but you must be careful not to overload it. A level-loaded 6×4 holds roughly 0.7 to 0.8 cubic meters. If you are looking to move a full “ton” of wood (roughly 2 cubic meters of dry hardwood), you really need an 8×5 tandem axle trailer.
The tandem axle provides the stability and weight rating required to carry heavy loads of blue gum or peppermint without the trailer swaying dangerously on our winding, hilly roads. If you only have a single axle trailer, plan on taking two trips. It’s better to spend a little more on fuel than to find yourself stuck on the side of the Brooker Highway with a snapped leaf spring.
