Access to sites with twin axle ?
Good evening all
We are thinking of buying a twin axle Sirroco which if my memory serves me correct is around 7 meters, our breakdown covers a van up to 8 meters.
Really looking for advice / comments on how easy it is to in terms of access to sites, in the past we have always had a average size van single axle 4 berth.
Im quite confident towing larger vans although just not sure what the actual access to sites are like, IE - teeny wee entrances/gates etc, or how they affect fuel consumption.
All replies welcome and thank you in adavnce.
Alan.
Comments
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Our single axle Lunar Delta is 7 meters (shipping length) & I've never had any problem accessing a CC site. Some of the CLs have been a bit close, but if you can get a bin wagon/milk tanker/etc etc on a site, a caravan will go too.
A caravan will affect fuel consumption!
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Access on most sites should not be a problem but any that are will have a warning.
I would look at your breakdown insurance though as what you quote looks like the body length and the policy almost certainly refers to the overall length which will be over the 8 m figure.
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Access on most sites should not be a problem but any that are will have a warning.
I would look at your breakdown insurance though as what you quote looks like the body length and the policy almost certainly refers to the overall length which will be over the 8 m figure.
If I've picked the correct
caravan it's a shade UNDER 8 meters
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Hi again should have said, yep just under 8 meters, closeeeeeee to my breakdown cov.... - Elddis Crusader Sirocco -
- TWIN axle
- Mass in Running Order (Kg) - 1455
- Mass in Running Order (Cwt) - 28.6
- Maximum Technical Permissible Laden Mass (Kg) - 1750
- Maximum Technical Permissible Laden Mass (Cwt) - 34.4
- Internal Length (metres) - 6.325
- Internal Length (ft in) - 20' 9",
- Shipping Length (metres) - 7.876
- Shipping Length (ft in) - 25' 10"
- Width (metres) - 2.258
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We have had T/A vans in the past. CC sites are OK but others might present problems with access although, generally, it's no hassle. Some sites, including CC, are sometimes restricted on the width of the on site roadways which might present problems reversing
onto a pitch. This is easily overcome with a mover.0 -
Moving from single to twin axle should not cause any problems. They do track slightly differently and as has been mentioned sharp reversing can be a little problematic but the mover is your friend. So far I've had no problems with site access.
The twin axles to tow much steadier and ride over bumps a lot smoother.
I saw no difference in mpg moving from a heavy 2 berth Coachman to a twin axle Lunar Delta.
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I've not had a single axle 'van since 1983 and never had any problem with access anywhere. Towing differences from a single axle is more to do with distance between leading axle and tow hitch than anything else.
However, a twin axle is hard to turn on the spot the way a single axle can be swung.
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The only place I have ever struggled was Chatsworth where I simply had to get out and move a ill placed cone on the inside of the left hand turn, before I ran over the base of it with the van wheel (and there are not many bigger than my rig).....Althought
there was a load of people waiting at the chip van and they were all watching me not being able to make it through lol!0 -
Hi, replies have answered my questions. Will give it some thought and will let you know what we went for.
ThankYou
Alan
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We bought a twin axle Lunar (7.91m o/a) in 2014, love the space, never had any problems with sites or pitches (motor mover fitted) though the extra length gives a slightly larger turning radius when towing. Twin axle also gives better towing stability, much
less 'twitchy' in cross winds and behind car transporters! Breakdown cover must be checked for van length as some will not cover over 6 metres from memory; the CC one is fine.0 -
Thanks Heddlo. Have been in 2 major breakdown companies in past and swapped each year to keep charges down. Recently changed to a well known supermarket breakdown - where all the prices are low....... They will recover up to 8 meters full exteriior length
of van only - they advise car length can be any.Alan
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We have a T/A Sterling, length 7.95m, not had any problems accessing sites, though some CLs can have tricky gates.
We have a mover as we need it anyway to get the van onto our driveway.
A mover will eat into your payload, but it is often possible to upgrade the MTPLM to give a bigger payload.
There are a handfull of CC sites where the length limit is under 8m due to access or pitch sizes. Info is given on the site pages.
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I've never had a problem either and have had big twin axles for many years. I think I must be a rarity now with no motor mover but I can reverse anywhere. OK I'm an ex HGV (class 1) driver but I was taught never to go anywhere forwards that I can't reverse
out of.0 -
We moved up from a single axle bailey senator 7.1m to a bailey cartagena which is 7.9 m, it tows great never found access to sites a problem as above if you can get a bin lorry on site you wll be fine, we dont have a motor mover and i would say reversing is far easier we have an auto box and i find it easier to manouver when reversing, on level ground me and the wife have no problems pushing it forwards or back wards when leveling oiff , fuel consumption is around the same for me not alot of difference to note.
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Thanks everyone. General opinion seems to be - Twin axles = Not much difference in fuel consumption if any at all and site access to most sites without issues. . That helps me.
Thank You
Alan.
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Hi all. We now are proud owners of Elddis Crusader twin axle. Looking forward to our first weekend away with it next weekend - Yay. Thanks again in for all the good advice which helped us decide.
Alan.
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We are now onto are third twin best advice I can offer is practice reversing . as for sites I've never had a problem in the UK in the south of France they have some small pitches but as long as you inform the site of your size and being a twin you should
have no problems . a tip I always give to someone new to caravaning regardless of size is to book sites that have statics on if a wagon can get access with over 30' × 8' of static you will have no problems .0 -
Obviously you've got your van now, but a quick note about twin axles - IMO no problem in the UK but be aware that in France there are many sites on which they are banned, this is normally nothing to do with twin axles but an attempt to keep 'travellers'
out.Best to contact the site before arrival as many will allow twins on when they know you're from the UK.
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Always fancied a twin axle, I am sure they tow very well.
Two things put me off, the situation in France where we tour most years and the difficulty in fitting the insurance required 2 Alko wheel Locks. I watched a chap having to use a trolley jack to get the wheel off the ground to line it up. Wow, not for me!
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... "the difficulty in fitting the insurance required 2 Alko wheel Locks. I watched a chap having to use a trolley jack to get the wheel off the ground to line it up. Wow, not for me!"
Lock 'n' Level is the answer , but like most things in life, it has a cost implication.
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Interesting, Not seen that before.
I just wonder about the longevity of it. It would need to be permanently under the 'van on the driveway.
Thanks for that.
As I don’t suppose you have need to level the van across its axles when parked up, so the device would be left deflated, bearing no load as such and thereby needing no attention until you need to remove the wheel locks. The materials used are very robust
and durable.If you take a look you will find a thread on this product on CT.
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For those driving longer caravans please be aware of the back end swing. I watched a speeding van on site missing one waiting to pitch by a hairs breadth with his back corner. I am glad to say the warden caught up with him! And I was ablble to tell the
waiting one I had seen the daylight between - just!0
