Single vs twin axle
- Thread starter Mikaroony
- Start date
- Mar 14, 2005
- 19,000
- 4,223
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Its possibly easier to make comparisons TA vs SA rather than pros and cons.
In general TA's tend to be larger and heavier caravans (There are some exceptions to that generalisation) They also tend to be more expensive to purchase.
Consequently you are likely to need a bigger tow vehicle along with their associated running costs.
Most dealers charge more to service a TA, than an SA.
You have four tyres to change when they time expire.
TA's are very difficult to manhandle around bends, because the you will always be trying to scrub two tyres partly sideways.
Setting the nose weight is quite critical and needs great care.
Leveling a TA on site is a little more troublesome than an SA.
None of these points are not insurmountable, and with a little extra care and planning most TA caravanners on average enjoy the benefits of a slightly larger caravan.
But As I stated above TA's are not always the biggest, there are some large SA's
There is a debate about towing TA's and inherent stability afforded by a second axle, I believe TA's do tow with less apparent disturbance from other vehicles, but that just my experience.
Having used both TA's and SA's, I can honestly say I have no overriding preference for either of the configurations.
In general TA's tend to be larger and heavier caravans (There are some exceptions to that generalisation) They also tend to be more expensive to purchase.
Consequently you are likely to need a bigger tow vehicle along with their associated running costs.
Most dealers charge more to service a TA, than an SA.
You have four tyres to change when they time expire.
TA's are very difficult to manhandle around bends, because the you will always be trying to scrub two tyres partly sideways.
Setting the nose weight is quite critical and needs great care.
Leveling a TA on site is a little more troublesome than an SA.
None of these points are not insurmountable, and with a little extra care and planning most TA caravanners on average enjoy the benefits of a slightly larger caravan.
But As I stated above TA's are not always the biggest, there are some large SA's
There is a debate about towing TA's and inherent stability afforded by a second axle, I believe TA's do tow with less apparent disturbance from other vehicles, but that just my experience.
Having used both TA's and SA's, I can honestly say I have no overriding preference for either of the configurations.
- Aug 23, 2009
- 3,167
- 4
- 20,685
I have found TAs to be more stable and prefer towing them. The associated costs that the prof mentions are something you go accept when buying. Although costly a good motor mover tackles the manouvering issue and I have found the milenco aluminium levellers (a pair) to be the easiest way to level especially when also taking into account positioning for alko wheel lock. However both these solutions are relatively costly. Our van certainly comes into the larger and heavier category but that's because we wanted the space for 5 plus 3 dogs and the build quality of a Coachman.
TA are more forgiving to reverse, but as said are very difficult to man-handle even allowing for the weight.
I have a very restricted car port stowage, about 1.5" a side clearance and feel I could not achieve the required precision even with a twin mover installation.
I used an Ifor Willians twin trailer and experience with that keeps my vans to single axle.
If you dont face restricted space issues like mine or the need to man-handle then a TA is no problem and tows a bit more smoothly.
I have a very restricted car port stowage, about 1.5" a side clearance and feel I could not achieve the required precision even with a twin mover installation.
I used an Ifor Willians twin trailer and experience with that keeps my vans to single axle.
If you dont face restricted space issues like mine or the need to man-handle then a TA is no problem and tows a bit more smoothly.
Thanks for all your help to the three of you. I researched this topic and found the results overwhelming.
Oh No ,you're not getting off that easy, come on, share your research with us all!Mikaroony said:
you said you have researched this and found the results overwhelming. What was overwhelming ? Where else did you research, not just here surely,only 3 people replied. I took it from your response you had a lot of info you could share. No??Mikaroony said:
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