Thread: 2T van - 1 or 2 axles

I think duel axle.

Personally I think they ride the bumps a lot better as they have an axle that supports the trailer whenever one drop in a hole etc. It does change the ball weight no doubt as weights change between axles, but it has never worried the tow vehicle in my experience. Surprisingly, I actually think non-load sharing is also the way to go as long as your towbar is at the correct height. Re punctures, you get a puncture and you're hard pressed to notice it apart from the smoke.

I would also do leaf suspension and have appropriate leafs. My opinion is that independent suspension is more prone to failure because of the loads on the suspension mounts that hold the arms in place and because it point loads the chassis, where leafs provide a much better spread of load into the chassis using multiple points.

Originally Posted by MR LR

Dual axles are the ones that try and steer the car, singles just follow. Even my 25 tonne single axle chaser bin is the same, but the dual axle versions buck the tractors around like mad.

I hadn't thought of this characteristic, which would be at its worst on soft or slippery surfaces. However there's a huge difference between a 2.5T car turning a 2T van with close-spaced axles and a 5T tractor trying to turn a 25T dual axle trailer that also has a much shorter draw-bar.

A particular disadvantage of non load-sharing dual axles would be that raising the vehicle (air suspension) for gravel roads for more bump-stop clearance would put more load on the van's rear suspension and tyres, but perhaps not significantly and at least better than less load on the rear tyres. My current single-axle van sits slightly low at the front with the tow vehicle at normal height but level when raised 30mm for gravel roads.

Originally Posted by Slunnie

I would also do leaf suspension and have appropriate leafs. My opinion is that independent suspension is more prone to failure because of the loads on the suspension mounts that hold the arms in place and because it point loads the chassis, where leafs provide a much better spread of load into the chassis using multiple points.

I agree with the mechanics and chose leafs for the old van particularly because new suspension was being fitted to a light-weight chassis. The Jayco single axle is solid with leaf springs whereas their duals are independent, both effectively 2 load points each side but not always equal load on the dual system.

Unless there's a significant concern for or against a single or dual axle configuration, the van choice will be based on other criteria.

Every time I see a 18' single axle I cringe,,,
it just looks out of proportion,
and yes, by design 4 wheels are harder to shift at the jockey wheel,,
but its a small price ( I cant remember the last time I even tried) for the van towing straight.
and go the van,, popups are for kids just out of camper trailers

Originally Posted by Slunnie

I think duel axle.

Personally I think they ride the bumps a lot better as they have an axle that supports the trailer whenever one drop in a hole etc. It does change the ball weight no doubt as weights change between axles, but it has never worried the tow vehicle in my experience. Surprisingly, I actually think non-load sharing is also the way to go as long as your towbar is at the correct height. Re punctures, you get a puncture and you're hard pressed to notice it apart from the smoke.

I would also do leaf suspension and have appropriate leafs. My opinion is that independent suspension is more prone to failure because of the loads on the suspension mounts that hold the arms in place and because it point loads the chassis, where leafs provide a much better spread of load into the chassis using multiple points.

All the trailers I've hated towing the most were set up that way. I was always glad to hand them back after the trip, hopefully to never tow them again!

But then I've never had a three ton truck to tow a two ton trailer, perhaps a fully loaded leaf sprung 4wd is only marginally less unpleasant with this combination.

I would go single.......based on my old pop top that probably weight closed to 2t.....would have been nice to have brakes way back than

Fit quality tyres, I had one tyre (probably a million years old) blow on the van at 100km/hr towing with a two door rangie. No ill effects, just pulled over and fitted the spare. Than brought two light truck tyres.....

Originally Posted by bee utey

All the trailers I've hated towing the most were set up that way. I was always glad to hand them back after the trip, hopefully to never tow them again!

But then I've never had a three ton truck to tow a two ton trailer, perhaps a fully loaded leaf sprung 4wd is only marginally less unpleasant with this combination.

Really, I much preferred this setup. It worked really well for me.

Originally Posted by pop058

If a tyre lets go (dramatically) on a single axle anything, the resulting ride is a little more exciting. I have had a few go over the years on dual axle trailers with no major side effects.

I had the back left tyre let go on a borrowed tandem some years ago (3,000kg rated, electric brakes being towed with the RRC at around 80 at the time). I had a car on the trailer, which was balanced well and plenty of weight over the draw bar and it was towing well. Once the tyre went, the draw bar unloaded as the weight pivoted over the remaining wheel to the back and I had a real tail slapper on my hands. It's the closest I've come to having an accident while towing - a real brown trouser moment. Not sure what the result would have been without electric brakes - pretty bad I think.

I haven't experienced the same with a single axle, so I have no comparison.