Tandem or single axle. Pros and cons?

[Yonner]

From the viewpoint of some one who has yet to tow anything (me), the tandem set up looks the better option less load on the tyres Etc. Are there any situations when a single axle would be a better option?

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by Yonner

From the viewpoint of some one who has yet to tow anything (me), the tandem set up looks the better option less load on the tyres Etc. Are there any situations when a single axle would be a better option?

Only when the check book is smaller too.

Have a flat with a single, you have a huge problem. Must have a spare, must have a jack, etc.

Have a flat with a tandem?? Small problem. Pull the good tire on that side up on some 2 X 6's. Take the flat off. Keep on going. Slow down, but you can keep on going.

Also single axle trailers have considerable vertical movement at the coupler when hitting bumps. Tandem axle trailers reduce that movement almost to the point that "it doesn't" happen.

A tandem is also much safer to tow, if "properly rigged".

Andy



Andy

[BillTex]

Originally Posted by Inland RV Center, In

Only when the check book is smaller too.

Have a flat with a single, you have a huge problem. Must have a spare, must have a jack, etc.

Have a flat with a tandem?? Small problem. Pull the good tire on that side up on some 2 X 6's. Take the flat off. Keep on going. Slow down, but you can keep on going.

Also single axle trailers have considerable vertical movement at the coupler when hitting bumps. Tandem axle trailers reduce that movement almost to the point that "it doesn't" happen.

A tandem is also much safer to tow, if "properly rigged".

Andy



Andy

Agreed, I have towed small single axle and large dual axle trailers; I'd much rather pull a dual axle. No porpoising, and as Andy mentioned, much safer.

[BradS]

Last year when my wife and I bought our trailer we decided on the 22' trailer because it was still small but it had tandem axels.Its a big plus to have two axles, going forward and backwards. The only time I know of where it would be better to have just one axel is when you are buying tires.

[Yonner]

Originally Posted by Inland RV Center, In

Only when the check book is smaller too.

Have a flat with a single, you have a huge problem. Must have a spare, must have a jack, etc.

Have a flat with a tandem?? Small problem. Pull the good tire on that side up on some 2 X 6's. Take the flat off. Keep on going. Slow down, but you can keep on going.

Also single axle trailers have considerable vertical movement at the coupler when hitting bumps. Tandem axle trailers reduce that movement almost to the point that "it doesn't" happen.

A tandem is also much safer to tow, if "properly rigged".
Andy

O.K. Thanks, that pretty much answers the question.

[vajeep]

Don't forget double the breaking power!!

[SilverToy]

Please don't make the horrible mistake that nearly all AirStreamer make. The verticle coupler shock that is VERY prevalent in single axle's, is nearly gone it double axle units, and you can bet your sweet bippy that it is TOTALLY GONE in triple axle situations.

Come ride with us - we the user's of the largest fineist AirStream, ride on the best suspension on the planet. The famed "Triples" - "The Big Boy's Big Toy's". We are a somewhat hard to find group, but they are available. Simply having the triple axle sense of relief is enough to provide restful nights and sun shiney days - continueously! Having the adoring looks from EVERYONE in the campground also help with that sense "you bought the best there is!!!"

Having the additional camper length along for the ride is yet another terrific benefit that comes along when you choose to eliminate that dreaded 'vertical coupler shock'.

Think this one out carefully. Buy that big AirStream and get a whole series of bonuses that you hadn't even considered.... how good is that???

Sound perfect to me!

Axel
SilverToy

AND TRIPLE THE BRAKING PERFORMANCE!!!!

[Silvertwinkie]

I've towed a 19' single axle and now a 25' dual axle. The bottom line is everything that has been said here is right on. I was amazed how much nicer the dual axle units towed. There is an additional cost to having that extra axle, in terms of tires, brakes, and wheel bearing maint, but IMHO the benefits clearly outweigh the delta in my book.

[Melody Ranch]

You will never know the joy, pride, ambiance, comradery, and general pleasure of owning a Bambi or Caravel.....but, Andy is correct.

[Zeppelinium]

I love my Caravel, but the porpoising drives me nuts. I was hoping the new axle would help, but after several long trips I have to say it didn't help much. It's still a great fun Airstream, and I like them as small as possible, but I can't wait to get the Safari. If it rides as nice as the Overlander, I'll have the best of both worlds--small, yet fun to tow.

Zep

[overlander63]

My experience with single vs dual axle trailers is, the single axle trailers are more manueverable, get more attention, and are better for short jaunts. The dual (or triple) axle trailers tow straighter (less sway) back easier (less tendency to jacknife) and have much more room. Our Overlander with the old axles tows better, with less bouncy bouncy, than our single axle Argosy, either with or without new axle.
Roger, you will like your Safari, I think it is the best compromise between short length and two axle towability.

[markdoane]

I have always wondered why Mark Doane bought a single axle Tradewind back in 1959. My wife swears he wanted the biggest trailer he could get, but it had to be a single axle. I don't know why he didn't buy a single axle Overlander.

I finally got the answer this weekend at the Baptism of our grandaughter. My wife's ex-husband was there. He knew Mark Doane, I never me the gentleman.

He said that Mark was convinced that in a tandem axle, the front axle had a tendency to "stand-up" any nails or road debris and it would then puncture the tire on the trailing axle. I don't know if this is something he learned in Europe during WWII, or how he came to believe this. I only know it was part of his decision to purchase a single axle rather than a tandem.

[GetOutDoors]

I'm told I can ferry my single axle for less . . .

[easyride]

Originally Posted by markdoane

I have always wondered why Mark Doane bought a single axle Tradewind back in 1959. My wife swears he wanted the biggest trailer he could get, but it had to be a single axle. I don't know why he didn't buy a single axle Overlander.

I finally got the answer this weekend at the Baptism of our grandaughter. My wife's ex-husband was there. He knew Mark Doane, I never me the gentleman.

He said that Mark was convinced that in a tandem axle, the front axle had a tendency to "stand-up" any nails or road debris and it would then puncture the tire on the trailing axle. I don't know if this is something he learned in Europe during WWII, or how he came to believe this. I only know it was part of his decision to purchase a single axle rather than a tandem.

I can agree with this,drove semi in Nam,back axles always had more flats,nails,screws and even shell casings,thankfully haven`t had that happen to my Overlander,definately prefer multi axle rigs.Dave

[overlander63]

Originally Posted by easyride

I can agree with this,drove semi in Nam,back axles always had more flats,nails,screws and even shell casings,thankfully haven`t had that happen to my Overlander,definately prefer multi axle rigs.Dave

The only problem I had in Florida with shell casings was on I-95 in Miami...

[Ahab]

Originally Posted by Spiffy Gem

I'm told I can ferry my single axle for less . . .

This is true, you pay per axle. We have experience towing single and double axle and prefer single for economy. If you have the proper match of TV/TT and load properly you will not experience the problems some have listed here. Most of those who speak negatively about single axles never towed with one but rely on hear say and other nonsense. Yes, single axles require a more careful loading technique and the TV must be stable. We are happy with our choice especially in this time of rising fuel cost. We will be traveling long after the behemoths are parked in the back yard.

[Burdell]

Hi Ahab,

I fully agree with your comments about single axel economy. The load balance issues are pretty easy to live with considering how much more manueverable and economical the trailer is.
We just took our first real trip in a recently acquired 20' 1967 Globe Trotter (1400 miles) and were pleased with the great gas mileage we got driving a safe 60 mph.
We are new to the Airstream world and would like to meet other owners of vintage Airstreams from eastern Maricopa County and western Pinal County for occasional caravans and general information sharing.

Bisbee Kid (vintage 1940)

[TBRich]

Originally Posted by overlander63

The only problem I had in Florida with shell casings was on I-95 in Miami...

Don't move to LA!

[TBRich]

Single Axle Pride!