Reversing with a TA caravan,
- Thread starter Hutch
- Start date
Parksy
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- Nov 12, 2009
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In my experience the reason that t/a caravans are relatively easier to reverse is due to the distance of the axles from the tow hitch.
A greater distance between the tow hitch and the wheels means that the caravan or trailer is slower to react to steering inputs, allowing more time for corrections during the manoeuvre.
A camping trailer, or worse still a garden trailer reacts much more quickly to slight steering inputs because the drawbar (or chassis) needs to travel further on a trailer with a longer wheelbase to have an effect on the trailers direction of travel.
Side skidding of wheels is fairly common on HGV trailers, especially those with triple axles, but twin caravan axles are close enough together to minimise the effects of side scrubbing of tyres.
A greater distance between the tow hitch and the wheels means that the caravan or trailer is slower to react to steering inputs, allowing more time for corrections during the manoeuvre.
A camping trailer, or worse still a garden trailer reacts much more quickly to slight steering inputs because the drawbar (or chassis) needs to travel further on a trailer with a longer wheelbase to have an effect on the trailers direction of travel.
Side skidding of wheels is fairly common on HGV trailers, especially those with triple axles, but twin caravan axles are close enough together to minimise the effects of side scrubbing of tyres.
- Jun 20, 2005
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Hutch.
The ta is slower reacting to movement because of the wheel scrub. Invariably a ta in most cases is a lot longer than a sa so the pivot point occurs much later.
If you use a mover, which you and I do, you will be able to rotate on a sixpence. Not so the ta even with a four wheel drive mover.
When reversing the ta things happen slower and with more forgiveness and less likely good of a jack knife. Try mine out next time we meet.
The ta is slower reacting to movement because of the wheel scrub. Invariably a ta in most cases is a lot longer than a sa so the pivot point occurs much later.
If you use a mover, which you and I do, you will be able to rotate on a sixpence. Not so the ta even with a four wheel drive mover.
When reversing the ta things happen slower and with more forgiveness and less likely good of a jack knife. Try mine out next time we meet.
- Nov 16, 2015
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- Nov 11, 2009
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EH52ARH said:
That drivers brain must be wired differently to most others. Awesome rig for fly tipping!
- Oct 12, 2013
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I've got a large twin axle trailer which will hold over a ton which I use for household rubbish etc but I find reversing the caravan easier!!
- Mar 14, 2005
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I'd say the ease of reversing has more to do with size than the number of axles. The car will normally have enough power to easily overcome the extra tyre scrub that a twin axle experiences when reversing around a corner, so that the driver won't even notice the difference.
Hi!! 
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My name is Nick.
I think this post will be interesting for you about campers http://whatmycarworth.com/using-kelley-blue-book-rv-to-find-the-value-of-a-camper
- Oct 12, 2013
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