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Topic: Single Axle or Twin for Towing
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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
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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 5:58pm
Location: Hampshire Outfit: Hymer Nova S
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Quote: Originally posted by enodreven on 15/1/2009Hi, 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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