Hi
Having enjoyed our little single axle which has now been sold because the family has expanded rapidly (2 adults and 4 children now), I am looking at getting a 6 berth to accommodate the whole family.
With my small budget (£2-3K) I can only find a choice of twin axles. I've read all the previous topics on this matter, the towcar should be OK (Ssangyong Rodius) but:
Will I get turned away from sites in the UK? (not planning to take it abroad at the moment). Is there any good reason why I should not consider twin axle?
Thank you
We changed over to a twin axle van 2 years ago when our children were getting too big for bunks. We are family of 5 and love the extra space and the bonus of not having to make up beds. Rarely put an awning up anymore as don't find the need unless away for a fortnight.
Feel happier when towing in winter and bad weather as more stable.
Only drawback we have found is they charge more for storage, so ours is now kept at home.
Hubby says pain to park but better now we got a mover.
Only sites we have had a problem with are some of the haven sites as we are too big (7.8 m)
I' d say go as big as you can tow/store as caravans seem to shrink when you load them with stuff and people !!
Regards
Milly
Personally I've never known of anyone having been turned away from a site for having a twin axle. We frequently have a break with friends who travel seperately (they have a twin axle), and we've never encountered an issue.
On just one occasion I had a site query what I was booking in with, only because they had a few restricted pitch sizes left and couldn't cater for a larger van at that time.
Just ask! we have a twin axle and need to know about access and pitch size. Not been turned away yet, but we check the CC/C&CC books and websites as well, they often tell you.
If you are on a tight budget what you have to remember is that service engineers charge more for servicing a twin axle mainly because there are 4 wheels to be checked instead of two. It's probably only about 20-30 quid more but if any replacement parts are needed relating to brakes, bearings or tyres etc. it can be double the cost of a single axle unit.
Regarding being turned away from campsites is unheard of because they need the income like all site owners do but they may allocate your unit to a hardstanding rather than a grass pitch. The only site where you are likely to be declined are rally fields as the 4 wheels are likely to churn up the grass especially when it's wet.
We regularly use rally fields with caravan club and have never had any issues. In our experience lots of members rally with twin axles as often have larger families and cheaper to camp this way.
Regards
Milly
Go for it twin is better than single we changed to a single axle and wished we hadn't. Twin axles tow better easy to move around when reversing. No problems Iin this country or aboard.
Corni
2.0 diesel should have enough power and torque to move a twin axle, I would think it's more important the actual weight of the towcar and the caravan, remember the 85% rule and make sure that it can handle the nose weight of the twin axle as it's likely to be more than that of a single axle
Quote: Originally posted by milly123 on 03/5/2014We regularly use rally fields with caravan club and have never had any issues. In our experience lots of members rally with twin axles as often have larger families and cheaper to camp this way.
Regards
Milly
Yes but rallying with a major club such as the Caravan Club or the Camping & Caravanning Club the sites are not allowed to decline twin axles because they are paid up members and entitled to use the venues run by the stewards. I'm talking about the smaller caravan clubs and owners clubs in general where the landowner can stipulate what units they will not accept. I have run many rallies myself over the past years but during that time only one landowner has ever declined twin axle caravans on site, that's why I said "The only site you are LIKELY to be declined are rally fields", I didn't say that they definitely will.
Quote: Originally posted by corni on 03/5/2014
... do I need a bigger car to tow a twin axle?
I am presently driving a 2.0L diesel.
Can you provide full details of the car? You would assume a 2.0d should be ok, but so far as any of us know, you could be driving something unsuitable. Also the spec (MTPLM) of your van in question.
Quote: Originally posted by corni on 03/5/2014
I would like to ask a question if it is ok.
do I need a bigger car to tow a twin axle?
I am presently driving a 2.0L diesel .
cheers
2L diesel what? It maybe a small hatchback with 70bhp. Or a 3 ton 4x4.
Exact make/model/spec/engine power/year will all play a big part in if its suitable.
2nd hand twin axles are usually a bit cheaper because of the car required to tow them
And I think better value than the up to 1500 kl range which nearly every body can tow with the average family car
We have never had a problem with sites although the likes of Haven have now started asking length etc and park resorts now put pitch size on their website...
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Topic: Twin axle - will I be rejected?
