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   Caravans and Caravanning -  Caravan Towcars and Towing Advice
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Subject Topic: Single Axle or Twin for Towing Post Reply Post New Topic
15/1/2009 at 12:02pm
 Location: Essex
 Outfit: None at present
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Hi,

I currently have a motorhome but i have been looking to convert to a caravan and car,  can someone tell what the major differences are between towing a single axle caravan and a twin axle,  as some of those we have been looking at have twin axles so are slightly longer but my main concern is that i don't really want to end up with 2 cars as we have at the moment and also I don't really want to end up with a gas guzzler either, so suggestions would be welcome.

Our requirements

Caravan, new or nearly new (max 4 years old)

We want a fixed double bed and a separate seating area and a reasonable sized shower room and toilet,  there are only 2 of us albeit we would like to be able to accommodate another 2 beds if possible.

Tow car, new or secondhand

30 plus mpg when towing, 40 plus when used on its own,  road tax as low as possible, hopefully around £100, diesel or petrol/LPG but not petrol only,  4 seats hatch back rear door with reasonable storage.

 

Any suggestions would be very welcome,

 

Brian



15/1/2009 at 12:56pm
 Location: North East
 Outfit: Terrano tdi + Pageant7 Limousin
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We got a Bailey Pageant Limousin (twin axle) new last year. I've no doubt there's loads of "scientists" on here who will delve into the theory and those who's opinions taint logic but from very practical experience for whatever reason it is the most stable steady van I have ever pulled and that covers a fair few but this is the first twin axle on a regular basis.

As you rightly point out the need for a hefty tow vehicle with associated poorer economy is the down side. Fully laden pulling with the Terrano I reckon 20 to 25mpg max.

Overall though I strongly suspect that your running costs per annum if you got good use out of a new set up would possibly be less than running your MC?

However your spec/req seems to be very similar to ours and balancing features against cost, we are delighted with it.Big bathroom nice sitting area with the potential to convert to beds but a closed off bedroom.

We have said all along whilst its marketed as a 4 berth it is really a super comfy 2.

Good luck in your search



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davedy@nyms.net



15/1/2009 at 3:11pm
 Location: Sheffield
 Outfit: Mobile Dog Kennel
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For towing I'd have a good luck at a Volvo v70. Plenty big enough to tow, and you would get about 55mpg when cruising without the caravan, about 40 with the van on.

You would need one pre 2005, because Volvo improved them after that and reduced the mpg by about 15mpg

Personal choice , I know, but I didn't like my fixed bed, too many compromises on space for everything else.


17/1/2009 at 1:13am
 Location: Kent
 Outfit: Swift Twin Axle 655 Lux
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HI Brian.. W

We have a Kia Sorento .....great for towing it's swift and sure footed and very comfortable.

We have done 85000 miles since new  and it's  still goeing strong without problems other than the usual servicing tyres etc..:)

I have just read on another forum that someone has a Sorento that has done 250,000 miles and still going strong WOW!! Half of that will do me lol.

 

With the credit crunch etc, you should be able to pick up a bargain.. so well worth considering.

The caravan we have is a large twin axle Swift Conquerer with all the refinements etc.. fixed beds,  onboard water tank, heater, extractor fan, rear bathroom area with shower and loo and most importantly you get bags of room with a twin ;) .. really great.

We upgraded 2 years ago from a single axle Bailey Provence ... great van but we wanted a fixed bed set-up etc.

As far as towing is concerned the twin is very very steady .. cruises beautifully and absolutly no probs regardingwind etc nor re  weight, as the Sorento can 'pull a bus' and still be within legal limits lol... so it's a great combination,

The only recommendation that I would make, is that  once you have made your final choice, have a Mover fitted. We had one on the Baily single and you will definitley want one on a twin axle.

It makes movong the van a piece of cake - especially up inclines or into tight spaces up against walls if parking etc... =  no grunting, pulling or pushing  and no straining ... My wife can manouvre ours on her own if so desired . A realy great bit of kit we would never be without.

Though they don't come cheap nonetheless they do make life at home on the pitches in tight spots etc etc..a sheer joy and no bad backs, bad words or frustrations : ) 

Hope this helps a little and gives some food for thought...Whatever the outcome have a great and safe 2009 ... Good luck..

Pete



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17/1/2009 at 8:21am
 Location: Hampshire
 Outfit: Hymer Nova S
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The substance of your towing car will be dictated by the caravan's mass, not whether you opt for a single or twin axle caravan.
Potentially the towing stability is better with the twin axle as the tyres scuff when turning thus they damp yawing, whereas a single has no such resistance. However that very feature of scuffing makes for much higher low speed manoeuvring resistance. This is an attribute up to a point when coupled to a vehicle but a big problem in man handling. The "point" is that it places more stress and thus heat on the vehicle clutch, an issue with manual vehicles and a big one with diesels with dual mass flywheels.
I use a twin axle Ifor trailer and because of experience with that, I for caravanning keep to a single axle van as my caravanning involves more restricted manoeuvring.


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17/1/2009 at 5:58pm
 Location: Hampshire
 Outfit: Hymer Nova S
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Quote: Originally posted by enodreven on 15/1/2009

Hi,

I (

Tow car, new or secondhand

30 plus mpg when towing, 40 plus when used on its own,  road tax as low as possible, hopefully around £100, diesel or petrol/LPG but not petrol only,  4 seats hatch back rear door with reasonable storage.

 

 

Brian


Your aspirations of actually achieving an average of 30 mpg towing a fixed double bed van with reasonable lounge and bathroom is unrealistic with anything other than a micro van. Certainly not with vans that are , or compare with a twin axle job. Its possible at say 50 mph on a flat motorway on a windless day with a small diesel towcar, prewarmed before hand, but in the real world, with a mix of roads, wind and humane speeds it's simply not achievable.
The frontal area of a caravan, free-flowing speeds of circa 55/60mph, roundabouts, hills, stop start traffic, headwinds, a mix of some wet road surfaces and manoeuvring on site will all contribute to give at best a true average mpg of around 25 for a modern high tech diesel and at least 20% less if petrol. If you achieve that as an honest towing average then you are doing well.
If you better it your not towing a normal caravan or your maths is flawed; simply the technology is not there yet.



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