single axle or twin for trailers

[markcoopers]

So i've sorted the spec and the manufacture out, but for the love of god can not decide on a single or twin version.

I get Single is easy to move and less sensative to the tow ball heigh, but needs to be well ballanced. + the Single trailer i have in mind comes with a stronger axle and tyres

The double I get as more stable in the event of a blow out (mind you tyron bands look like a good idea), but more expensive, not as easy to move and fitted with lower spec axles and tyres, all be it 2 of them and still higher rated over all

So all specs otherwise equal, would you spend the £250 more for a twin axle?

I know that looks small money in the grand plan of things, but £250 is still £250. If it were a simple question of would you spend £250 to be safe then the answer would be yes, but this is not a saftey question. This is can I get the same for less, and i do like a deal.

Trailer would be for keeps, used 10 or so times a year but would do 4-5K miles a year...I have France on the cards, specifically Alps and track days.

[Cleggy the Spyder Man]

So i've sorted the spec and the manufacture out, but for the love of god can not decide on a single or twin version.

I get Single is easy to move and less sensative to the tow ball heigh, but needs to be well ballanced. + the Single trailer i have in mind comes with a stronger axle and tyres

The double I get as more stable in the event of a blow out (mind you tyron bands look like a good idea), but more expensive, not as easy to move and fitted with lower spec axles and tyres, all be it 2 of them and still higher rated over all

So all specs otherwise equal, would you spend the £250 more for a twin axle?

I know that looks small money in the grand plan of things, but £250 is still £250. If it were a simple question of would you spend £250 to be safe then the answer would be yes, but this is not a saftey question. This is can I get the same for less, and i do like a deal.

Trailer would be for keeps, used 10 or so times a year but would do 4-5K miles a year...I have France on the cards, specifically Alps and track days.

cannot help Mark - but out of interest what you gonna tow with?

[markcoopers]

Currently a BMW123d. It is not the highest rated, but surprisingly heavy and has pleanty of tourque

I borrowed Grahame's covered Brian James one, and while the MPG dropped to 22-24 (parachute comes to mind), i was still able to overtake on A roads such was the tourque punch.  I did Exeter and back for the Kit car show, sat at 70 dead on the cruise control, and other than taking a lot more concentration (1st time towing) it did not really add too much to teh journey time and was OK.

[Crazy Eddie]

Twin

wind up a bit on jockey wheel so front wheels off the ground and as easy to move around as a single axle.

Like you say buy a good one now and it will last you ages.

Also the rating is usually higher and to be fair we hire ours out at £35.00 a day when not using and therefore is a bit more versitile with weight.

Hope this helps  

[Cleggy the Spyder Man]

so the scooby should be ok - I just imagine the mpg dropping down to 15 ish   which is fine for Bedford

will give this some serious consideration after the wedding  

I take it you are on the road and up for a blat when roads dry out a bit  

[SteveD]

twin axle all day long ,they are safer than single in that ifa tyre goes there are three still up ,they are no harder to move around than a single ,just wind down the jockey wheel until the front wheels are off the ground

[Rob Navin]

Twin without question

[Mark (smokey mow)]

Mark, as a guide the mpg on my GT-TDi Golf drops from around 55mpg to 48mpg when I'm towing, it's so light on the back I barely know it's there.

Hope my email at the weekend was of some help too.

[markcoopers]

It did Mark, thanks for that.

So if twin, why are so many caravans single......cost?

Cleggy, i am alway up for a blat......when out in the wet the other day for some B660 fun.

[SteveD]

caravans are not carrying a car are they ,i would never have a single axle caravan either ,same reasons tyre goes at 50mph its not nice ,plus a twin trailer is more stable at speed

[markcoopers]

Fair point. But caravans do have the weight of holiday expectation.

Looks like i should cought up

[Terry Everall]

Its a no brainer

Twin axle is what you need

[zvezdochka]

Just a word of caution for any one with a trailer or caravan. Work colleague just got pulled for towing at 70 mph on the M6- hence 3 points and £60 fine - limit is 60 mph  

[SteveD]

caravan 6-8k maybe ,your car has cost how much ,and you want to stick it on a single axle

[Rob Navin]

I once borrowed the old mans Caravan ( single axle ) and big volvo to go to Croft in.

I had a blow out on the Van trying to keep up with Ron towing his westy.

To be honest it was only my natural driving abilities, and bucket loads of good luck that it didnt go over.

Twin every time from then on.