I am thinking of changing to a twin axle from my Bailey Valencia but would welcome any advice on such a change. What are the differences? Is it necessary to have an extra motor mover and wheel lock? Do you notice the extra length of about 2' when towing or reversing? The wheels look smaller and the van looks lower to the ground so does this mean it can bottom out when say turning into a steep drive? Has any one else changed and wished they hadn't bothered? Is there any difference in stability noticed when changing to a twin axle? Are they more difficult to level?
1. Strangely, I use my car to move the caravan.
2. I use one wheel lock and a hitch lock.
3. The length is the length, you allow/account for it.
4. Never had a 'bottoming' problem, but then I don't consider myself to be an idiot, unlike the chairman of the CC!
5. I changed from single to twin-axle in the mid-80s, never had any issues.
6. As above, changed in the mid 80s so can't really remember, but 4 wheels on the road rather than 2 should make them more stable.
7. Never had any problems levelling them, can't see why there should be a difference.
We have a motor mover on our twin axle and OH is thinking of taking it off as it's more nuisance than it's worth. We had one on our single axle and worked like a dream, but with the twin it takes such a long while trying to turn it that OH just does it with the car.
OH says they are more stable to tow.
Can't see what difference it makes with levelling.
Just think of the extra room inside you'll get, we love our Swift conqueror. I especially like the full size fridge and the larger freezer on top, very handy can now take all our meals for the week.
I'm sure you'll enjoy it if you bite the bullet. Good luck.
We recently change to a TA van, it has a mover on one axle only and is nowhere near as good at turning the van as a SA with mover. I find we have to move forwards and backwards when making a turn and also give the van a sideways push to help. I would expect an AWD mover to be better but have never used one.
For levelling side to side we just pull the van up onto a ramp left or right, it doesn't need two ramps as the suspension plays a part.
Quote: Originally posted by Jesscar on 22/5/2016
We recently change to a TA van, it has a mover on one axle only and is nowhere near as good at turning the van as a SA with mover. I find we have to move forwards and backwards when making a turn and also give the van a sideways push to help. I would expect an AWD mover to be better but have never used one.
For levelling side to side we just pull the van up onto a ramp left or right, it doesn't need two ramps as the suspension plays a part.
To be honest we have a twin mover and as said its not that good.
Hello
We had a Bailey Cadiz and changed it last year for a TA Bailey Cartahena.
The two main reasons were the extra living space and fixed island bed.
When towing and a HGV overtakes the TA van the buffeting is less and it keeps inline better on bumpy class 3 roads.
We have Powrtouch on one axle, the axle nearest the A bar. Once unhitched I cannot move the van and rely on the movers, you do not get pinpoint postioning as you would with a single axle van. On gravel or shale it is possible one wheel will not grip if the terrain is uneven, I just make sure the weight is on the front axle and so far have not had a problem.
With security, as well as a decent hitch lock I only use one wheel lock but would use two if I could find a quick way to use both without having to jack the axle up first.
Thanks for all the information. I think in view of this advice my main problem would be getting up and down a steep drive at right angles to the narrow us de sac road using a mover on one axle and not bottoming out at the back on the way up.
Going backwards and forwards won't be a problem but tight turns will be!
In fact if anyone wants to come round and unbolt the four movers and all the electrics and its auto engage a silly price can be arranged
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Topic: Change to twin axle?
