towing twin wheel base

[stuart_374226098]

i brought a new abbey 415GTS VOGUE in 2004 and have had many happy holidays in it plenty of room but now the kids are getting older they do not want to sleep in bunks or in thwe awning in the winter so we were looking at buying a 2007 spectrum 545 with the two single beds I tow with a Ssangyoung Rexton 270 (some people might ask what !!! but its a great tow car 3500 kg) we asked the dealer whats it like towing a twin axelcaravan some 26ft long he said no problems but i thought i would take the plunge and join the forum and ask the question

any replies would be handy.

 

[Hainswood]

Just returned from a 2000 mile tour around France with twin axle Fleetwood. More stable when towing, easier to reverse, more difficult to level (Transverse), impossible to turn by hand. But give me the extra space and comfort any-day. I always inform site in advance if poss. Let me know how you get on.

 

[Jo-AnneFairway5402010]

hi stuart, just wanted to say i love the ssangyoung rexton i think they are a cracking 4 x 4. if you go onto www.whattowcar.com they might have some answers for you.

jo-anne

 

[Stephen_5122599]

Hi Stuart,

I tow an Elddis Crusader Superstorm with a Mitsubishi Shogun 3.2 did. Our first trip was to France and believe me twin axle vans tow a dream, They are very stable as the rear axles tend to follow the front axles and prevent yawing. For most of our journey to Cherbourg we were followed by another 4X4 towing a single axle van, when later chatting at the ferryport the driver commented on the obvious stability of my van. Yes they are slightly harder to maneouver in tight spaces but the extra space and comfort more than makes up for that shortcoming.

I hope you enjoy your new van.

regrds

Steve

 

[petelee]

hi stuart

One of the little problems with towing a twin axle long distances is remembering that its there,it really is that stable.Its not impossible to manouvre it but very hard work although me and my wife have managed to reverse it straight in to position,and we aim to go to level sites.

 

[chris_374226489]

hi stuart

One of the little problems with towing a twin axle long distances is remembering that its there,it really is that stable.Its not impossible to manouvre it but very hard work although me and my wife have managed to reverse it straight in to position,and we aim to go to level sites.

Hi Stuart-Twin axle vans are often pitched up market and may gain 'extras' such as shock absorbers which contribute to their stability (IMHO). However, you may experience more pitching fore/aft, particularly on poor roads, leading to a bouncy ride for rear seat occupants. Use your vehicle to do as much manoevering as possible-otherwise raise the jockey wheel to take the load off the front axle and find some helpers!Personally I would choose a T/A over a single

 

[Steve L]

I agree with the towing comments. I tow a 20 foot twin behind of all things a renault Laguna estate. Yes we are at 100% of the manufacturers tow limit for the car, infact we have to load the van 60Kgs light to fully comply. So as you can imagine the gearbox gets a fair bit of use up hill. But we do manage to keep up with the flow of traffic and by comparrison we are only about as slow as a 6 wheeler lorry on hills. Artics don't get a look in we pass them easily.

Manouvering by hand is out of the question so good reversing skills are helpfull. We us a motormover ET fitted to a second bracket on the A frame for parking at home.

The other day I had cause to tow the father-in-laws 17 foot single axle van and what a difference. Snatching and bouncing around swaying at the slightest draft. My other half was realy enlightened and has given up the idea of a smaller single axle van.

Most of the larger 4x4 can tow 3500Kgs and from experience I can say that the longer the wheel bse the better but you then pay the price for parking. I'd keep clear of very soft suspension as the van can cause the car to wallow.

Choosing your tow car is realy a very personal choice as you have to weigh up all the aspects of what you do with a car and then choose based on that information. You see for me doing 10k miles a year with the van but doing 30K a year without actually meant I bought two cars. One of which does 60Mpg and it can't tow the van, well not legally anyway but I do use it to tow the van off the drive with a sling attatched to the front tow eye of my Renault 5 (1108cc) and to the A frame of the van, as the little nipper can squeeze into the gap between the garage and the van where the long legged Laguna can't.

Steve L.

 

[Neil2]

Hi Stuart

I have been towing a Swift 6 Berth Twin axle for two years now with a Ford Galaxy 1.9tdi (110bhp). The van is a spec'd up version of the carisma weighing in at approx 1500kg and is steady as a rock behind the car. I still pay very careful attention when loading and setting the noseweight, but find it a dream to tow even on the steepest hills in the south-west.

Once you have practiced the reversing it is easy to place, I carry a long thin plank which is angled at the front to help with levelling side to side. When I eventually downsize after the kids don't want to come with us anymore I will be buying a smaller twin axle for me and my good lady to explore europe.

Enjoy the twin axle experience.

Neil

 

[Pelyma1]

I converted this year with a Fleetwood. The towing side is much easier, reversing is a less fraut affair, you seem to have more time to react to movements. The downsides are leveling, I carry off roading waffle boards, the other is the new alko secure wheel lock a real pain in the proverbial. If you use both locks you have to jack the van up. That said I'd never go back!

 

[ericcaravanning4u]

I have had a twin axle caravan for more over 30 years and find the very stable outfits. I think they are a bit more forgiving when you get a high crosswind but any caravan can give you a problem if it is loaded wrongly .

What I am saying is don't go out and buy a twin axle caravan thinking it will be ok just to chuck everything inside anywhere and set off .

You will probably find a twin axle caravan easier to revers as well .