Single axle or double axle which is better for towing and backing

Try http://www.exploroz.com/Forum/Topic/49225/Single_or_double_axle_caravans.aspx

A single axle will scrub less on tight turnsand behave more predictably when reversing.

A dual axle will ride better and traverse obsticles better particularly if it is a laod sharing suspenion.

cheers

I just had a tyre blow out on our tandem axle van. LH front. We heard the flap flap BANG as the tread separated from the casing. Pulled over as soon as possible with no dramas. A single axle would have seen possible damage to the rim as well. If a wheel decided to go it's own way for whatever reason you will be dragging your suspension components down the bitumen until you can pull over safely.
Having said all that most vans, of 18' body length or more usually all come in tandem axle configuration. Below that 16' 17' I have seen both single and tandem. Below 16' usually single. So depending on what size suits you will largely dictate the number of axles.

Cheers
Pop

My Rooster insisted on this one. Our previous van was a small single axled wind-up.

Advantage; could spin it round by hand if stuck in a tight spot.

Disadvantages; stuff was tossed from one side of the cupboards to the other (we travel off the bitumen frequently), damage to fittings, milk bottles and cartons leaking from the bottom from the bouncing. I wouldn't even try and take eggs!

His reasoning had more to do with safety in case of a blowout or losing a wheel, and general stability of the unit. We have heard of nasty accidents with a blowout or loss of a wheel with single axled vans.

There is also less thrust up and down on your tow hitch with the van stable on four wheels.

We now have a smooth ride on four wheels (Simplicity Suspension) on our 18' van. I am well and truly convinced. We don't have stabiliser legs - not necessary with our stable caravan.

We have blow-out on the caravan once and like Pop we heard an audible "pop" but all was riding smooth and steady. We were on a road we couldn't get of for a while and to change a tyre there (driver's side tyre) would have been suicide. We found a turn-off to a farm gate and got right off the road. There was nothing much but string left of the tyre but the rim was undamaged from the ride. Someone passing by who stopped to see if we were OK saw the casing some kilometres back.

Motherhen

I've had experience with both.
For stability on the road, my tandem is far more stable that its predecessor single axle. There is just no comparison.

For reversing, the single axle if far more maneuverable (spell checker is telling me that the spelling is wrong) than the tandem but that is a two edged sword. The tandem's reaction to the steering wheel is far more subdued.

Overall if I had to chose I wouldn't buy a single axle van over 5 metres (16'6"). Longer than that I prefer a tandem.

Note: Tandems vary in their stability so I'm just sharing my experience with my tandem which is a Regent Cruiser Series 3 (2006). This van has its wheels further back than half way and that is significant.
WBS