single axle or twin for trailers

[Tigger]

Twin everytime.

I've seen many single bouncing all over the road as I pass them at 60mph steady as a rock

[Paul Edden]

Just to add a counter argument;

I have had a single axle trailer for years.  Change the tyres for good quality brands every two years regardelss of condition.  Towed it with all sorts of vehicles from Saab9-5 to Motorhome - tows all day at 60/70mph steady as a rock.  Never had a problem with it.  I have also had it up to 100mph in Germany behind my T5 V70 - again, no problem.  All the above with my Westie on the back - but have also towed it with (small) tin-tops on board with no worries.

Personally, I cannot justify the expense of swapping my trailer for a twin axle - much as I might like to so that I can get a covered trailer - coz there is nothing wrong with my good ol' trusty single axle   Just another point of view

[Vinny's Westie]

The main problem with single or double axle trailers is people don't change the tyres, maximum recommended is 5 years, but as our chairman points out, never had a problem if you change the tyres.

Tyres don't like being stood still, should be kept off the ground to avoid flat spots which in turn leads to overheating and eventual punctures.  Imperative to keep pressures accurate.

[dhutch]

(vinnys westie @ Dec. 15 2010,10:12)

QUOTE

I think it depends on you use, £250 is £250 but equally its buttons compaired to the cost of a car of even sorting out and insurence claim. Three or four tanks of fuel for the tintop.

If you going to use it for niping 40mins up the road and 50mph to do some autotesting one evening a month then a single axle is easier and lighter to spin round and hitch up.

If your going to be using it to haul the car to a sprint/race/trackday 150miles each way, packing up the night before and setting off at 6am then, well, i would want to have a twin axle for the job all day long!

I have a twin axle covered trailer and at 580kg with a shot jockey wheel its a bit of a heavy b****r to lug around if i just want to run the car up the road when its rain which ment the last night i autotested in the towcar, but its tows like a dream when its on and i can still hitch it up on my own at a push. Thats certainly the exteame. Our drive is gravel, not level also, and need the trailer turning through 90 to fit the cars in, which doesnt help.

Daniel

Daniel

[Paul Edden]

Tyres don't like being stood still, should be kept off the ground to avoid flat spots which in turn leads to overheating and eventual punctures.  Imperative to keep pressures accurate.

Yep - everytime I put mine back "up the field" for storage, I use the rear steadys and the jockey wheel to take the weight fully off the tyres - takes about 2 minutes to do this.  

This time of year - when it is not being used November to March probably - the wheels are off altogether and stored flat in the garage (alongside the wheels off the Motorhome).

Just a personal view - but I prefer two wheels for ease of maneouverability - you pays yer money.........

[stewart pickles]

Just to add a counter argument;

I have had a single axle trailer for years.  Change the tyres for good quality brands every two years regardelss of condition.  Towed it with all sorts of vehicles from Saab9-5 to Motorhome - tows all day at 60/70mph steady as a rock.  Never had a problem with it.  I have also had it up to 100mph in Germany behind my T5 V70 - again, no problem.  All the above with my Westie on the back - but have also towed it with (small) tin-tops on board with no worries.

Personally, I cannot justify the expense of swapping my trailer for a twin axle - much as I might like to so that I can get a covered trailer - coz there is nothing wrong with my good ol' trusty single axle   Just another point of view

Don't take this the wrong way paul, but your opinion of single axle trailers may change when your sliding down the road on your side thinking what the devil just happened.You would be surprised how easy a trailer with a blow out can flip a car or motorhome for that matter over,in the 14 years i worked at Bradley's i'd seen and herd all sorts of horror stories involving single axle trailers.

[Rob Navin]

We had a blow out on the race shuttle with the cortina on, on the way to Magny Cours.

The tyres were replace before we left for the circuit for top quality tyres.

Don't be fooled you can have a blow out no matter how new or old the tyres are.

[samcooke]

Want to buy a shiny silver one-careful-owner Brain James RS5 Mr Jackson? Much more practical and sexy than an open top jobbie.

[tim]

twin axle every time,ask stu hill he had a wheel fall off on the way to a sprint,went the rest of the way on three and home!

[MGF255]

with a twin axle you also have twice as many brakes so they slow down better on over run too .

I`ve had a tyre blow out at motorway cruising speed on my BJ twin axle and found it to be very stable , came to a hault using only one lane & fitted spare on hard shoulder no probs .

I wouldnt even consider single axle`s after that .....  

If you go twin then towball height is more critical tho .......

[Paul Edden]

Like I said - yer pays yer money.  I'm sticking with my old trusty trailer.

[V 8]

I'm sticking with my old rusty trailer.

Fixed that for you yer chairmanship

[Paul Edden]

 

[blankczechbook]

twin axle - braked - big and heavy but nice and stable.

but then i use the disco and tow defenders and lwb dailys etc on it. 3.5T rated is my disco!!

Need a C1 + E license to do it though as overall weight is over std car licences allow.

and beware this weight often needs a tacho ( does over here) - when its a company owned vehicle.

[mhc]

Paul I'm with you on this.

People who need big heavy trailors useally have big heavy Westfields. :