Twin axle pros and cons?

[otherclive]

See #3 . I said just that . My point was the large SA axles actually cost more that one TA axle. It’s all relative

I don’t think many would be owners consider the cost of replacing an axle.

 

[JTQ]

I don’t think many would be owners consider the cost of replacing an axle.

Nor do I , surely if we thought a van would need a new axle, we would rapidly cross that off our lists.

However, I do see people who have had trouble buy the same brand again hoping the new one came from a "good build day" in the factory!

 

[Dustydog]

I don’t think many would be owners consider the cost of replacing an axle.

Just another potential cost factor .I have only ever come across SA owners with a collapsed axle😉

 

[ProfJohnL]

The size of caravan does not dictate the number of axles. That choice is made by the caravan manufacturer, and you would have to ask each manufacturer what factors made them choose to go for a TA.

In my opinion it's at least partly down to customers who may see a TA as having a greater perceived value or higher status symbol because it's less common, thus allowing the manufacture to charge more for TA's.

 

[Buckman]

If a caravan has two axles, it is fairly obvious that it will cost more than the equivalent single axle?

 

[JTQ]

If a caravan has two axles, it is fairly obvious that it will cost more than the equivalent single axle?

Not sure its at all "obvious"; it will reflect the componentry and labour costs each involves, along with how the production integrates with a multitude of the company's established facilities.
.
In particular the tyres, if using standard car or cargo tyres, plus their size and the hubs they need. This pulls in things like production run quantities of these purchased in components.
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Here in the UK I suspect perceived "status" plays a big role in buyer choices, rather more than the technical aspects.

 

[Dustydog]

I probably didn’t explain myself correctly.

A quick glance at AL-ko price list shows a 2000kgs axle at Euro 2000, a 1000kgs is Euro 1300.
The assumption that two axles cost twice as much as a large single isn’t true.
Otherwise as said the U.K. makers larger caravans are all TA,s afaik. Only the Europeans seem capable of building big SA.
Very much a personal choice .

 

[toad a caravan]

The design and components used could well be a factor of axle load,if you consider the the various dimensions of the parts used ie,size of axle tube cross section (diameter), length and hardness of rubber inserts,internal length of inner axle then maybe the manufacturers of axles have reached a point of maximum design,not to mention braking efficiency

 

[Ukdave2002]

I pondered this very question before we bought our van, I was attracted by 2 axles the perceived attraction being; better stability when towing, improved braking, safer in the event of a puncture? However I have a couple of 2 axle trailers and they are a pig to manoeuvre in tight spaces, unless unloaded and the jockey wheel can be wound up to lift the front wheels off the ground, not really practical with a caravan weight, it would put loads of strain on the jockey wheel yoke, and with 4 wheels down the tyres would be scrubbing.

It was the restriction that quite a number of sites impose on 4 wheels that really made my decision.

So went for a single axle van, and have no regrets

 

[borderbilly]

Don't think TA are more stable when towing. Look at HGV,s with twin, triple axle, they are still prone to getting blown over. 😳

 

[Buckman]

It was the restriction that quite a number of sites impose on 4 wheels that really made my decision.

So went for a single axle van, and have no regrets

In all the time we owned TAs, we never came across that restriction in the UK and also never had an issue in France or Spain. I think that the so called restriction is a total myth unless the site is not capable of handling a TA due to perhaps the entrance from the road.

 

[RogerL]

Don't think TA are more stable when towing. Look at HGV,s with twin, triple axle, they are still prone to getting blown over. 😳

The number of axles on an HGV or it's trailer is generally determined by maximum axle limits which are imposed by highway authorities across EU/UK.

 

[Lutz]

For Continental caravan manufacturers, the breakpoint between a single and a twin axle is driven by the non-availability of a suitable single axle chassis over 2000kg. Otherwise, I would think that they would stay with one axle even over that limit if they could.

 

[otherclive]

Don't think TA are more stable when towing. Look at HGV,s with twin, triple axle, they are still prone to getting blown over. 😳

I don’t think the number of axles really has an effect on the likelihood of being blown over. Other than a TA may have a lower Center of Gravity but that’s not likely to be too significant as the roof is loaded with solar panels and a self finding satellite dish. 🙈

 

[Lutz]

One can't compare HGV's with caravans anyway because artics carry a much larger proportion of their load on the rear axle of the tractor unit than the relatively low noseweight that the caravan exerts on the towcar.

 

[Mel]

If the wind is strong enough to blow over a HGV/TA/SA surely you shouldn’t be out towing.
Mel

 

[RogerL]

If the wind is strong enough to blow over a HGV/TA/SA surely you shouldn’t be out towing.
Mel

I treat warnings for "high-sided vehicles" as applying to caravans and reschedule or reroute - never tipped over yet!

 

[borderbilly]

One can't compare HGV's with caravans anyway because artics carry a much larger proportion of their load on the rear axle of the tractor unit than the relatively low noseweight that the caravan exerts on the towcar.

Have you ever driven a HGV?