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Hi everyone

I know that this subject has been done before but I am receiving conflicting info. As per my previous posts, we are nearing the end and am about to purchase our first van.

However, I have e-mailed both the caravan Club and Alan Rogers for their comments on twin axles but neither have come back to me as yet.

From the previous posts, it would seem that twin axles are frowned upon by the general caravanning community and sites as they have connotations with a particularly unpopular social group and that they could cause damage to sites, especially those on grass pitches.

if possible, would you be so kind as to give us some feedback as to your experiences with twin axles which would allow me to make a concerted judgement call as to which type to purchase. Thanks

Although we have single axle at present our next van will most likely be a twin axle.  I would not agree that twin axles are frowned upon by the general caravanning community, rather that some sites , mainly abroad, may not take them for the reason you stated.  Certain makes of van now also seem to be shunned, whether twin axle or not, just last week we saw a site near Whitby with a sign up stating   " NO HOBBY CARAVANS " .

The only damage you would do to a grass pitch would be if you are doing a lot of turning and shunting back and forth.

We use mainly CC sites here and see plenty of twin axle vans on them.  We have not been much in France, but in other European countries have also seen plenty of twin axles in use.

I would think the things you need to worry about most are the insurance premiums and adequate security, as these vans are apparently more likely to be stolen.

I would be having as much security as possible, then they may go for an easier target.    2 wheelclamps, or maybe the new Alko system, hitchlock, steady locks, parking posts, strong anchor point in the ground to chain it to, very loud alarm, CCTV.   And keep it well away from the road and out of sight if possible.   I think the risk also depends on the area you live in.  Your insurer will probably insist on a certain level of security.

Levelling on site will certainly be more complex than with a single axle. 

 If we do get one we would have a mover fitted.  We have one on our present van and would not be without it.

I think the problem with twin axles is the security issues. I am sure I have read that you are more likely to have a twin axle stolen than a single axle. Hence the high cost of insurance with some companies requiring either a tracker system or an alarm in addition to wheel or hitch lock. The number of campsites both here and abroad that don't accept twin axles is very much a minority and in France some sites that say they don't take will relent once they realise that you don't belong to a certain community!

David

Hiya All,

I couldn't agree more with what Brit has to say......if the van suits you' is what matters.  But as you are asking for feedback maybe I can give one reason why quite a lot of campsites frown on the twin axle. 

We use a site on the east coast near Filey quite a lot and there have been a fair few twin axles on there.  But we were there in July when this guy drove up to his pitch with a twin axle and slewd it around to back it on.  In doing so the drag of the axles naturally chewed up a great patch of the grass.  When we returned later this year there were no twins on the site and a notice saying that they were now banned from that site.  One wanders how many sites this has happened on........especially the smaller private site where the owners take a pride.

Good Luck

Les Wilson

we have owned a small single axle caravan, followed by a medium sized single axle caravan, followed by 3 large twin axle caravans.

We have never been turned away from any site, either in the UK or Europe, having caravanned in France, Holland, Luxembourg, Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Italy.

We have never damaged the grass using our 4wd car to position the van, which does not suffer the problems of wheel spin, even on very wet grass.

Twin axle vans tend to be more stable to tow for a number of reasons.

I agree that as much security should be implimented as possible, because these vans do seem more attractive to thieves (and presumable to others as well).

Whatever you get, have fun.

Hey' steady on all you twin axle folk,

My,.. but something must be wrong with them to make you so touchy these days.

I have no axe to grind......during our 23 years of caravanning we have owned three twin axles when the family was small, and loved every one of them.  But when somebody asks for feedback as to why twins are not so popular on sites these days I merely gave an opinion.  No skin off my nose as now we're retired we are back to a nice single axle.  But it must be upsetting somebody out there.

Good Luck

Les Wilson

I've had a couple of twins myself a have never been turned away from a site at all. A few points to bear in mind are:

Don't assume that you have to buy a big 4WD to tow your van - I've towed my van with both a Freelander Diesel and my current car - a diesel Omega estate - and find that the Omega is a vastly superior towcar - apart from the odd wet field of course....

That twin the vans tend (as a generalisation...) to be a lot longer than the singles so on some sites you will have problems fitting them on a pitch.

Manouevering them can be more difficult on some continental sites where the roads are narrow, pitches are very tight and bordered by trees - although saying this the effort is more than worth it. I don't have a mover attached to mine for the one or two times a year I would be unable to reverse the unit in - but then I am fairly able bodied and there is always someone willing to help out with a shove

If you get a twin think twice about having an air-con unit - a friend of mine suffered a £200 price hike when he retro-fitted a unit to his van - because the most desirable van appears to be a twin with air-con.

Don't assume that with a twin you can be more lax about loading etc - they can still be very unstable if you get it wrong.

But remember one thing - enjoy your van - most people on sites are friendly and willing to help out with most things.

i know our storage owner won't have twin axle vans on any more - he had a few go missing and he had to increase the security, swipe cards, cctv and guards patroling and said he won't store twin axles any more as they attract a certain kind of thief!