Twin axle vs Single Axle

Thanks for the replies! 

Whilst I agree that layout is probably the most important thing, some of the layouts and space I would like are really only available in twin axles. But I'm not sure the comprise on manoeuvrability is worth it.

can anyone comment on how a twin with movers on each wheel compares to a single axle?

 

When we got our first twin axle van last year we used a twin mover on 1 axle only, for the amount of moving and corners we need to get around at home this was no good, flattening the battery before finishing the move. We invested in a new quad mover and it it fantastic, we use the mover to reverse off the road onto the drive, stright reverse up the drive 4 cars lenght and then around a right angle bend to its storage point. The single had to rock back and forth to get around the corner but the quad moves it around in 1.

Towing is more stable than the sinxle axle vans ive owned, loads more space inside. BUT we do consider wher we take the van 7.9 meters long with a large 4x4 onthe front is a big outfit, for some no problem but for us we like to plan to ensure we dont get any problems on route, (im a LGV trainer) ill take an artic down a lane but would not put my pride and joy into a hedge for anyone!!

 

Overall looking at the + v - not much difference for us, I cannot say ill always have a twin or single, its what suits at a specific time.

Hope this helps

I also after caravanning with single axle units for more years than I care to think about am considering trying a twin axle unit.

I note all the comments above, most of which seem good common sense.  One thing which as not been mentioned is the axle configurations.  I have seen that some have interlinked axles which distribute the load better over uneven surfaces.

Are these worth the extra cost and weight?

Do they help with the bouncing of the tow car, or make it worse?

As anyone done any comparisons on these types, and if so please share

Thanks 

I’ve had single and TA’s, and now have a single.

I never had an issue with levelling a TA, I just used two ramps, 1 between the wheels for the front axle and a second behind the rear axle wheel. It’s was no harder or easier than levelling a single.

My TA had a four wheel motor mover, which was about 65kg, so used a lot of payload. You could not move the van by hand at all, so a mover really was a necessity. I have no issues reversing the van, but sometimes there was just not enough space on some sites due to trees, hedges other vans etc to get the angle necessary ( especially abroad ) to manoeuvre van with car.  TA motor movers do the job, they just take longer than on single axles to manoeuvre. Using a single mover on a TA, rather than a 4wd one is a waste of time IMHO. They just don’t have the power to deal with kerbs, slopes and gravel etc.

For me one of the biggest things was a big enough towcar for a TA. We had a Touareg, worked beautifully, but lousy on mpg, tyres, servicing etc. Got bored paying to run a big towcar, and only actually needing it to tow maybe 6 to 8 times a year. Similarly van servicing was more. Much depends on your attitude to van, costs, usage etc. When we changed to a smaller van, 1500kg single axle and Tiguan, our diesel bill fell by £1400 per year, plus tyres, servicing insurance etc, so a fairly significant sum overall.

Also struggled on some sites, here and abroad, who wouldn’t take TA’s, or where access was extremely difficult, duty to overall size, length and manoeuvrability. Often our first check when considering a site was, ‘do they accept TA’s’

Towing was no different, providing you had a suitable tow car.

We loved our TA which was a Barcelona, before changing to single axle Valencia. Same van, about a metre shorter and 300kg lighter, but lower payload. Identical layout with slightly smaller wardrobe and set of drawers missing. We have more than enough space.

We love the new van, and have absolutely no regrets in moving back to single axle, it was definitely the right decision for us, and I would never go back to a TA.

To sum it up, TA’s outfits are more cost and less flexibility for the same holiday IMHO.

 

I agree with most of what onepjg says, since I also tow a U3 Barcelona behind a VW Touareg and I hardly know the van is there!  It is stable under tow - hardly affected by cross winds or when overtaken too close and contrary to some comments above, I have not found the car is bounced around at all - but then I have the Escape (off-road) model with uprated and raised suspension.  For those reasons alone, I would never contemplate returning to a single axle van.

Totally agree on costs, though.  I have just had to replace all four van tyres at three and half years old (sidewall cracking) and I only got 25k out of the car tyres, when solo I would expect something approaching 40k.

As far as manoeuvrability is concerned, with an AWD motor mover fitted, it is easy.  I have to make a right-angled turn outside our house and come onto the drive over a kerb edge, across grass and gravel onto the drive and the turn is only slightly more than the length of the van.  It really isn't a problem.

I debated long and hard before buying a TA - never having experienced one before - but mainly about the perceived problems of fitting twin wheel locks, especially as the MMs prevented access to the jacking points.  Lock 'n Level sorted that problem in a flash and makes levelling and fitting the wheel locks so easy.  I have now got it down to a fine art and reckon levelling and fitting the locks takes me not much more than five minutes.

For the extra space we have - and other things such as a large fridge and separate freezer - acres of food prep space - on board water tank (essential in winter!) etc etc - I wouldn't ever go back to a smaller van. 

We have just got a Touareg.   We towed with it for the first time last week about 600 Miles into France.  It has been pretty faultless all the way down.   This includes towing in just about the windiest conditions I have ever towed in.   Like richardandros ours is the Escape version, I am not sure how much difference that makes to on road driving.  Unlike richardandros we tow a 1900kg, 8m, single axle and it is fine. 

Heading south across France in early June this year we shared a campsite one night with a big extended family group of travelling people - Liverpool Irish they said. Towing with expensive Mercedes cars and a van they had nine top of the range continental caravans, mostly new Fendts, but all single axle. Being a very worldly wise group they knew that with caravans like that they could go anywhere, but with twins they would probably be turned away in many places. Trust the professionals. 

I must thank John the OP for starting such a brilliant thread. The responses have been very informative and as newbies to caravaning it has given me a great many things to consider for when (or if) we convert from motorhomes to caravans.

We were looking at buying a new Airstream equipped with quad Reich 3.1T movers but, the van itself weighs around 2,700kg, and as newbies, I think we first need to practice with something lighter and more practical and change thereafter if it becomes our thing.

Some fantastic info on here.

Thanks All,

Andrew

Lutz, have a look at the Lunar SR and the Lunar TR, very little difference between the two. just a bit more room in bathroom and lounge.

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May I ask what you will be using to pull a 2700kg airstream. cheers.