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Subject Topic: Single or twin axle
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Personwelshboy1
28/7/2013 at 8:02am
 Location: The Diff
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Hi all, looking for a new van can anyone give me some advice I have towed with a single axle but not a twin.

Twin axle vans, is they more stability when towing? does it reduce the nose weight? are they heavier? harder to move when pitching?

any advice would be great, thanks   

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Is it the weekend yet?


Personlisterdiesel
28/7/2013 at 10:05am
 Location: Rushden Northants
 Outfit: Mercedes 614D Conversion View listerdiesel's Profile View Profile   Reply to listerdiesel Reply   Quote listerdiesel Quote  
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Twin axle tend to be more stable than single axle, they are more difficult to manouevre on hard ground unless you raise the front axle up using the jockey wheel.

Towing, they give more physical feedback through the tow hitch and impose higher dynamic loading on the hitch, static loads are what you set the noseweight to.

For larger caravans and trailers I much prefer multi-axle, but best of all are drawbar turntable types as they do not impose vertical loadings on the towbar, only the weight of the coupling and A-frame.

Peter


Personwelshboy1
28/7/2013 at 4:31pm
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Thanks listerdiesel, I have never heard of a drawbar turntable, is this a retro fit you can do to a van or certain make vans that have them fitted?

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Is it the weekend yet?


PersonGrampian91
28/7/2013 at 5:56pm
 Location: Midlands
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What are you going to be towing it with? A twin axle can be a clutch killer on some cars.

Ideally you want an auto with a good torque converter or a 4x4 with low range.

As you try to reverse onto a pitch at 90 degrees, One set of wheels will scrub sideways.   So you need the power toi push it without killing the clutch.

A drawbar turntable is not really an option or retrofit.


Personlisterdiesel
28/7/2013 at 7:57pm
 Location: Rushden Northants
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Quote: Originally posted by welshboy1 on 28/7/2013
Thanks listerdiesel, I have never heard of a drawbar turntable, is this a retro fit you can do to a van or certain make vans that have them fitted?


A wheel at each corner and the front axle pivots to steer.

Ours has 6 wheels, 4 at the back and the two at the front.

Peter


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Personlisterdiesel
28/7/2013 at 7:59pm
 Location: Rushden Northants
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I've never had problems reversing a twin axle trailer, even when our 2-axle unit has been fully loaded to over 2 tons.

You do need a bit of care and thought about it, and twin-axle caravans tend to be the bigger and heavier models anyway, but nothing to get excited about if the car is matched to the caravan.

Peter


PersonAl+Mel
28/7/2013 at 9:48pm
 Location: Hants
 Outfit: Fleetwood Heritage 640 EB & ML270 View Al+Mel's Profile View Profile   Reply to Al+Mel Reply   Quote Al+Mel Quote  
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Our TA 'van is extremely stable under tow. It stays behind the car as if its on rails!

We tend to use the mover to pitch the 'van as this saves wear on the clutch - and the length of the outfit can make it difficult to position the car perfectly, also the extra weight of the 'van makes it difficult to move by hand.


Personarcherypete03
29/7/2013 at 9:41am
 Location: Cider County
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Servicing and Insurance will be more expensive but I find a twin is easier to tow and reverse as for burning clutches never had that problem but if you are not happy reversing I would consider fitting a motor mover.

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Pete.


PersonSGThomas
29/7/2013 at 11:10am
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If you are considering touring in France, twin axles are hated.
They are banned at many municipals and others ( e.g. Moissac on the Tarn) impose an additional €60 per night on the site rental cost.


PersonDaveS1
29/7/2013 at 11:25am
 Location: Hatfield Peverel Essex
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Definately more stable to tow, impossible to move by hand and never ever had any trouble or charged extra on a French campsite.  If your car is capable of towing one then go for it.

DaveS1


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Personlisterdiesel
29/7/2013 at 10:16pm
 Location: Rushden Northants
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For those of a nervous disposition when reversing, get a front towbar!

Watling Engineering Ltd

Peter


Personand1145
01/8/2013 at 9:14pm
 Location: Retford
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Twin every time and i too have never ever had any trouble in France from the north to the south. Old wives tales !!!


Personjayc001
01/8/2013 at 11:14pm
 Location: Essex
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Twin gives you increased capacity in most cases. I have 350kg payload vs 220 on my old single.

You can move them by hand. Just don't expect to do a 90 degree turn. I have to turn mine 90 to get on drive. End up getting it 45 or so will the car and shuffle back and forth by hand to get last bit.

I have a Mondeo and can get it sited without issue.


PersonPhil Ness
02/8/2013 at 9:44pm
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The easiest way to move a twin axle by hand is to wind the jockey wheel down far enough so it lifts the front axle. A lot easier to shove.


Personalpiner
03/8/2013 at 6:53am
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totally agree with peter on the front tow bar, makes moving ANY van very easy

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alpiner


Persondavecamper
15/9/2013 at 10:30pm
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Another tip for turning a twin on driveway is to run the wheels onto heavy duty garden sacks. The type that have bark chipping in. The bag slides on itself reducing the friction from they tyre and the ground. This combined with raising the jockey makes it very manageable.

David



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