Twin axle vs Single Axle

JohnRH replied on 24/07/2016 16:40

JohnRH

Posted on 24/07/2016 16:40

I've been towing single axle caravans for over 26 years but I am beginning to wonder if a twin axle might suit me better. My main concerns about getting a twin are two fold:

Manoeuvrability: I know that everyone says that twin axles are less easy to manoeuver onto a pitch and I have a particularly difficult reverse onto my "home" pitch which I need a mover to accomplish. So, if you have a mover fitted, possibly one for each wheel, are the monoeuverability issues solved?

Getting level: I've seen numberous twin axles that are no where near level on a pitch, probably because a lot of the CLs I like to use are not the most level of places! However, there are now automatic leveling systems available so do these solve the problems of getting the van level?

I would be really interested to hear other members views on the benefits, or otherwise, of twin axles.

37 replies

Tinwheeler replied on 01/08/2018 19:53

Tinwheeler

Campervanner from Cornwall

Posted on 01/08/2018 19:48 by lornalou1

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

Posted on 01/08/2018 19:53

See this thread, LL.

https://www.caravanclub.co.uk/club-together/discussions/information-technical-tips-advice/caravans/2018-airstream-colarado-dilema

onepjg replied on 01/08/2018 22:03

Member

onepjg

Motorhomer from Kent

Posted on 01/08/2018 19:48 by lornalou1

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

Posted on 01/08/2018 22:03

Tractor or maybe Sherman tank 😁

Boff replied on 02/08/2018 06:44

Member

Boff

Caravanner

Posted on 01/08/2018 22:03 by onepjg

Tractor or maybe Sherman tank 😁

Posted on 02/08/2018 06:44

Or any other vehicle, that is rated to tow 2700kg or above.

MDD10 replied on 04/08/2018 15:12

MDD10

Caravanner from West Yorkshire

Posted on 24/07/2016 21:31 by IanH

We saw a caravan arrive on site the othe day and it looked massive! I automatically assumed it was a twin, but the next morning I saw that it was a single axle (Swift Conqueror, I think). I'm sure it was far longer than what used to be twin axle a few years ago. Surely it cannot be right to have all that weight on one axle?

Posted on 04/08/2018 15:12

I changed the van last year and bought a Swift Challenger. I was looking at a TA as liked the layout and then the salesman showed me a virtually identical layout in the single Axle which was cheaper.The single was 30cm shorter and the difference was basically storage space and a different fridge. Mine is 7.61m in length

The big difference was that Maximum permitted weight could be massively upgraded on the TA...I recall by circa 150-200KG whereas my single could be by 30kg! No point getting the TA as the only vehicles that could tow the upgraded weight were circa Discovery territory

Sspaper replied on 22/01/2019 19:44

Sspaper

Trailertenter from Staffordshire

Posted on 24/07/2016 16:40 by JohnRH

I've been towing single axle caravans for over 26 years but I am beginning to wonder if a twin axle might suit me better. My main concerns about getting a twin are two fold:

Manoeuvrability: I know that everyone says that twin axles are less easy to manoeuver onto a pitch and I have a particularly difficult reverse onto my "home" pitch which I need a mover to accomplish. So, if you have a mover fitted, possibly one for each wheel, are the monoeuverability issues solved?

Getting level: I've seen numberous twin axles that are no where near level on a pitch, probably because a lot of the CLs I like to use are not the most level of places! However, there are now automatic leveling systems available so do these solve the problems of getting the van level?

I would be really interested to hear other members views on the benefits, or otherwise, of twin axles.

Posted on 22/01/2019 19:44

Not sure if this is any help but I used to tow a tri axle trailer for work and it was extremely awkward to get it to turn by hand with any load on. I came up with an idea where I would raise up the jockey wheel until the front two axles were barely touching the floor which then allowed me to turn it in it’s own length with relative ease. I would assume this to be the same if a mover was fitted!

lornalou1 replied on 25/01/2019 12:32

lornalou1

Caravanner from Lancashire

Posted on 24/07/2016 20:46 by KjellNN

Please excuse my naivety, but where does one really have an option of choosing between a single or a twin once one has decided on the layout that suits one's taste and requirements? I can't think of any examples where that is the case, and certainly not of the same manufacturer. Surely the question single/twin is therefore rather acedemic.

These days you can often get the same layout on a single as on a twin, but the twin is of course a bit longer and therefore more spacious. So you need to make the choice.

Posted on 25/01/2019 12:32

swift 560 and 650 same layout