Hi all, we are considering changing to a twin axle & would appreciate any advice on towing one. I am a competant tower of single axles but just wondered how different it is towing a twin. Thanks
Twin axle towing
- Thread starter Mark_374310035
- Start date
From our experience since returning to caravanning I would say that it should just enhance your towing and caravanning experience.
We budgeted for a motor mover after reading advice on this and other forums. The money is still in the bank, we've had no trouble parking on sites or leveling. My wife loves the double axle for towing and as a passenger, smoother ride and less stress in bad weather.
We budgeted for a motor mover after reading advice on this and other forums. The money is still in the bank, we've had no trouble parking on sites or leveling. My wife loves the double axle for towing and as a passenger, smoother ride and less stress in bad weather.
Mark
we changed in December from single to twin axle. Even though it is another 2 foot longer than our previous caravan and a fair bit heavier (Bailey Pageant Burgundy to Senator Wyoming), our Sorento towed it and it felt really stable. Managed to get my wife to pluck up courage and drive part of the way back to Northampton from Fareham and she took to it straight away.
Have reversed onto a couple of pitches with no problem, although previously relied heavily on most sites on the mover.
Almost impossible for us (both have weak backs) to move manually, but ours came with a Truma TA (twin axle) Mover fitted on the front wheels. Turning is a zig-zag movement as the motors pulse to save ripping the tyres off and we now have to do a 5 point turn - we have to turn through 90 degrees on our drive to park up. This only takes a couple of minutes longer than with the single axle which would turn in its own length - leaning on the caravan when its turning also helps, but probably strains the tyres.
Hope this helps!
Ken
we changed in December from single to twin axle. Even though it is another 2 foot longer than our previous caravan and a fair bit heavier (Bailey Pageant Burgundy to Senator Wyoming), our Sorento towed it and it felt really stable. Managed to get my wife to pluck up courage and drive part of the way back to Northampton from Fareham and she took to it straight away.
Have reversed onto a couple of pitches with no problem, although previously relied heavily on most sites on the mover.
Almost impossible for us (both have weak backs) to move manually, but ours came with a Truma TA (twin axle) Mover fitted on the front wheels. Turning is a zig-zag movement as the motors pulse to save ripping the tyres off and we now have to do a 5 point turn - we have to turn through 90 degrees on our drive to park up. This only takes a couple of minutes longer than with the single axle which would turn in its own length - leaning on the caravan when its turning also helps, but probably strains the tyres.
Hope this helps!
Ken
We did the same as Ken , changed our Pageant Vendee to a Senator Wyoming.
The available space is fantastic. You get a lounge, kitchen bedroom and bathroom. We too tow with a Sorento. Personally I think the twin axle helps with stability particularly big coach slipstreams.
Forget pushing it by yourself. IMO a motor mover is essential.
We have the Powrtouch.
Arguably you will have to replace four tyres at a time rather than two with a SA. Also the one shot Al-Ko axle nuts will cost you double.
I think it reverses more easily as it tends not to swivel anywhere near as quick as the SA.
We had SAs for years and in fairness they never caused me any problems but I do find the TA just as easy to tow.
Cheers
Dustydog
The available space is fantastic. You get a lounge, kitchen bedroom and bathroom. We too tow with a Sorento. Personally I think the twin axle helps with stability particularly big coach slipstreams.
Forget pushing it by yourself. IMO a motor mover is essential.
We have the Powrtouch.
Arguably you will have to replace four tyres at a time rather than two with a SA. Also the one shot Al-Ko axle nuts will cost you double.
I think it reverses more easily as it tends not to swivel anywhere near as quick as the SA.
We had SAs for years and in fairness they never caused me any problems but I do find the TA just as easy to tow.
Cheers
Dustydog
I'd go along with most of what has been said here, but one cannot say that a twin is easier to reverse than a single axle. It's the length that makes it easier to reverse, not the fact that it's a twin. A single axle of the same length would be just as easy.
Lutz
I just find the TA slower to react to turning than a SA.Technically I agree there is no difference but I do get the feeling when reversing the TA does not swivel as quickly as SA.
Cheers
Dustydog
I just find the TA slower to react to turning than a SA.Technically I agree there is no difference but I do get the feeling when reversing the TA does not swivel as quickly as SA.
Cheers
Dustydog
im going to have to disagree with you there lutz, which doesn't happen often.
due to the fact a twin axle has one set of wheels directly in front of the other it has a natural tendendcy to try to straighten up.
so when reversing a twin axle, as soon as stop forcing the turn it will start to staighten itself out, provided you're not in a very tight turn. a single axle will continue to turn until you stop the turn by manouvring the towcar.
my experience has been that there is less work to be done with the steering wheel when reversing a twin axle. although i haven't had a single axle for a long long time.
due to the fact a twin axle has one set of wheels directly in front of the other it has a natural tendendcy to try to straighten up.
so when reversing a twin axle, as soon as stop forcing the turn it will start to staighten itself out, provided you're not in a very tight turn. a single axle will continue to turn until you stop the turn by manouvring the towcar.
my experience has been that there is less work to be done with the steering wheel when reversing a twin axle. although i haven't had a single axle for a long long time.
Not only do twins react slower, they ride bumps, rutts and holes in the ground easier so it does not pivot on obstacles as easily as two wheel caravans.
Out friend is wrong 4 wheel caravans are easier to turn in when reversing.
Out friend is wrong 4 wheel caravans are easier to turn in when reversing.
Hello Mark,
As a competent tower and whilst the caravan is connected to the tow vehicle, then you should find no practical difference in how easy the SA or TA caravans tow.
You will notice a difference in the feel of the tow, as the TA trailer rides differently over bumps and dips, A correctly loaded single axle caravan will always have a positive nose weight which under dynamic towing will always keep a substantial part of the load on the tow ball, but a TA will develop a rocking motion each axle rides the obstacle. You can feel this in the tow vehicle. If you get caravan loading wrong, the nose load can become negative at times, and this can feel disconcerting and with worn couplings there is a risk of uncoupling. For this reason nose loads are important.
The TA layout definitely affects the off-vehicle manoeuvrability. If you have a tight parking spot, you may need to consider some kind of caravan mover.
The jury is still out about the additional 'tram lining' effect that you might expect with a TA. Does it impart any greater resistance to side winds and overtaking, some say yes some say no.
As a competent tower and whilst the caravan is connected to the tow vehicle, then you should find no practical difference in how easy the SA or TA caravans tow.
You will notice a difference in the feel of the tow, as the TA trailer rides differently over bumps and dips, A correctly loaded single axle caravan will always have a positive nose weight which under dynamic towing will always keep a substantial part of the load on the tow ball, but a TA will develop a rocking motion each axle rides the obstacle. You can feel this in the tow vehicle. If you get caravan loading wrong, the nose load can become negative at times, and this can feel disconcerting and with worn couplings there is a risk of uncoupling. For this reason nose loads are important.
The TA layout definitely affects the off-vehicle manoeuvrability. If you have a tight parking spot, you may need to consider some kind of caravan mover.
The jury is still out about the additional 'tram lining' effect that you might expect with a TA. Does it impart any greater resistance to side winds and overtaking, some say yes some say no.
Thanks for all your replies & i take on board all the suggestions given, it certainly sparked an interesting debate. The van i'm interested in has a Reich 4x4 mover fitted so hopefully that will help when manoeuvering the van around at home & on site.
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