Caravan single or double axels

In my view it depends on the weight and where you want to go with it.

Don't overload the suspension or tyres. That might mean dual axle.

If you are wanting proper 4x4 performance (as opposed to 'dirt road' travel) then stick with single axle and keep the van as small and light as possible.

Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 Motorhome

I've been a truck driver for years but do not have much caravan experience, so what I have to say is theory in that regard.

I'm puzzled as to why people don't like tandems for off-road work, but I have noticed this preference in a number of other posts.

I would think that a load sharing tandem would be much better on "rough stuff" including corrugations.
Manoeuvrability should be the same if the vans are the same length, except over extreme obstacles where the tandem may "steer" on a front or rear wheel depending which has the majority of the weight.

On the highway I believe the tandem would be far superior due to extra stability and less likelihood of sway.
If you have a puncture the tandem should "pull" less and maintain stability because it still has a good tyre on that side.

A tandem will obviously be slightly heavier, but should also have a greater carrying capacity and therefore margin of error.
The only other downside I can see is a tandem will be more difficult to turn sharply (and impossible to turn by hand) whereas a single axle is relatively easy in tight confines.

As stated above these are opinions which are NOT based on experience.
If anybody disagrees with me please post your opinion here as I will be more than happy to be enlightened.


Peter
HZJ 105 n/a auto

Have had 2 single axles , now have dual axle...personally prefer the latter..the dual axle does not jump and sway around like the single axle when you strike a bumpy road, better weight distribution , easier to back (not that I find that hard to do) and of course you can carry more...need about 4 axles with ours ..cheers

Blow a tyre on a single axle at 90k and you will know all about it.

Do it on a tandem and you can just coast to a stop and fix it.

Get a road train zoom past and you will find which is more stable.

Tandems are much more stable and have a better weight limit usually as well.

My observations after 44,000k of towing this year.

Never even contemplated a single axle

We have an 18ft tandem, wouldn't have any thing else, they are much easier to handle and they stay on the road better particularly up the North of the country with the big road trains.

Cheers

Deanna

Hi CarlJ

My Rooster insisted on this one. Our previous van was a small single axled wind-up.

Advantage - could spin it round by hand if stuck in a tight spot.

Disadvantages; stuff was tossed from one side of the cupboards to the other (we travel off the bitumen frequently), damage to fittings, milk bottles and cartons leaking from the bottom from the bouncing. I wouldn't even try and take eggs!

His reasoning had more to do with safety in case of a blowout or losing a wheel, and general stability of the unit. We have heard of nasty accidents with a blowout or loss of a wheel with single axled vans.

There is also less thrust up and down on your tow hitch with the van stable on four wheels.

We now have a smooth ride on four wheels (Simplicity Suspension) on our 18' van. I am well and truly convinced. We don't have stabiliser legs - not necessary with our stable caravan.

Motherhen

Carl,

I have never owned a single axle but I know that the tandem is more stable from the experience of a good mate.

But I am puzzled why you insist on independent suspension. I would have thought that a solid...50mm live axle with 12" brakes on upgraded leaf springs would give trouble free service and is much easier to fix if any problems occur. As for handling differences, I guess everyone has an opinion on this but I have no problems with my standard Jayco 'Brako' suspension, but I am not intending to go too far off the black top.

Another big vote for load sharing independent tandem. On road stability (and therefore safety) is much better. Weight distribution in a van is always important, but with a tandem you have a lot more flexibility.

In a CT or trailer of less than (say) 1,500 kg ATM, single axle is fine. The further you go above that threshold, the more important the extra set of wheels becomes in my opinion. For this reason, even my 2 tonne box trailer is tandem and I wouldn't have it any other way.

Have a look at the vans on the road that you see swaying all over the place. Although there are a number of factors that cause this, the majority of them are single axle.

In my view, if you go above 16 ft, make it a tandem.

Norm C

Greetings,
I had the same decicision to make as you. I went looking for single axle to replace my single axle. Frienda with huge experience on bush tracks converted me for safety. I am glad. After a blowout on the Wilpena to Blinman road(dirt, notorious for punctures) I did not notice the blowout (dust hid the wheels in the towing mirrors) until I stopped in Blinman. A single axle would have had me off the road, or into another oncoming traveller. My strong opinion is for double axle IF off bitumen roads. And my opinion is double on bitumen for safety, the vast amount of danger time for your tyres is travellingour huge distances to good locations. Thats from a converted single axle man.
Good luck in your choice. WD

I lost a wheel on a single boat trailer doing 100kph

Our van will have tandem wheels :-)

After a lot of research it was the only way for us to go. we want something that is dirt road capable

Something else to keep in mind is that with two axles you increase your approach & departure angle for the van. This is very handy when crossing creeks ect on rough tracks.
Regards Mike.