Twiñ axle v single axle
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We’ve had a twin axle for about 15 - 20 years (both secondhand Baileys) and if we were to change, would probably go for the same.
There’s just two of us, but I like the space. We’ve never felt the need to spend money on a mover.
We also have a 3 litre Discovery, so towing is no problem.
If you find what you want, sit in it until the salesman comes looking for you - then go for it! That’s what happened to us
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We have had both twin and single axles Bailey Unicorns. As stated t/a are very stable when towing and offer plenty of living space including a large fridge. The only two disadvantages we felt was that they are difficult to manoeuvre when off the car hitch. Even double movers can struggle to make tighter turns on firm ground and you can end up having to do a series of straight backwards/forwards shunts to take the strain off the tyres. The second even more annoying problem is fitting the Alco wheel plate to the second wheel. You either have to jack a wheel up to rotate it to align with the lock or buy a device such as lock n level. The other option is to use an insurance company which does not insist on both wheel locks unless you forgo their discount.
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I have towed a t/a for 3 years plated up from 1629 to 1800kg quite legally with a Passat Alltrack, taking it to Austria, Pyranees and Denmark. I would in hindsight have fitted a mover on only one axle (weight saving) which i need to park it on my drive (need to spin it 180 degrees in a very tight space, otherwise i reverse the car to the hitch and caravan onto pitch wherever possible. And no, diesel is not going away anytime soon in spite of the doom-mongers, in fact Audi have just replaced petrol with diesel in some of their performance models.....
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Perhaps you may like to explain the logic of your argument, I don't understand why difficulty in turning should make it any easier to reverse, not that the car would ever notice any difference however difficult it is. The average towcar is capable of wrenching almost anything round without labouring in any way.
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I know what he means .... you & I have had the same 'debate' before. We're not talking about whether that car is or isn't capable.
A single axle axle caravan will wander side to side with minimal intervention from the car whereas a twin axle caravan will want to travel in a straight line so with a twin the car is continually turning the caravan rather than trying to stop it from turning. As said up thread, it's hard enough to turn a twin when using a mover while a single will just spin around on its own axis/axle.
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Interesting idea of a single axle caravan with a mind of it's own wanting to wander off into the sunset. I would suggest that the only thought in the mind of a single axle caravan is to go exactly where the car puts it and nowhere else.
A twin axle caravan also goes exactly where the car puts it except that when turning, the wheels on the caravan have to scrabble (not the word game) around a bit to make the turn, this means that the turn will not be quite as precise, as if anyone would notice. The tow car will have to work a little harder to overcome the scrabbling, also as if anyone would notice.
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Like this
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Twin Axle goes straighter for longer
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We've always had single axles without major problems. I'd consider a double axle if it meant considerably more user payload. This is an issue for us at the moment - we end up by carrying so much stuff in the car.
On a slightly different subject, I did have the opportunity to go in one of the 8ft wide Bailey Van's. Didn't like the decor, but did like the fixed double bed, which you can now get all the way around, even when the pillow bit is flat. Payload is still rubbish though.
David
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The problem I find with reversing a caravan, is not the reversing and positioning as such, but its actually seeing where you are reversing to - especially when reversing at a fairly acute angle. You have to rely on another person - that can sometimes be more problematic. (It's a good job my wife doesn't read this.)
David
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FWIW I agree. the simple fact that the twos axles cant allow the wheels to roll freely like a single axle when turning over shorter distances means the caravan responds slower to your actions when reversing, making it easier to control.
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It's the drag axle effect.👍🏻
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Each to their own & all that ..... but surely it's quicker & easier to reverse the car to the caravan when hitching up than engaging the mover & taking the mountain to Mohammed? 🤔
Now let me see, caravan on drive, hitch to brick wall, car on road. Hmm what shall I do?
I know! Demolish wall, build a new drive and bring car to front and hitch up. Simples - I don't think.
You see MM we all have slightly differing problems to overcome and what's good for you might not be so for me and others. On a club site I would agree with you and very often reverse car to van then merely drop the hitch on, whereas at home for me, it is definitely easier to manoeuvre the van on movers in order to join the two parts up.
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