Buying a Caravan Feedback

A single axle van is much easer to move around.
Single axle or double is governed more about the ATM than the length in on road vans. over about 1500kg are mostly dual.

Off road vans may be the exception.

Yes. Go tandem. I have had two single axles and one tandem axle van and the tandem was the best Should have stayed with the tandem! Might be a bit harder to screw around tight corners but tracks so much better, supports itself better, shares the load over more tyres/axles etc. Additional weight is of little concern as Vans of the size mentoned aren't exactly flyweights anyway

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

We now have a tandem axled caravan, and everything rides smoothly. We don't even need stabilising legs when we stop. I am well and truly convinced. Regardless of size, go for dual axles.


Motherhen

Hi Opalite,

I have owned a caravan for nearly 40 years now.

Our first was a single axle and it was on older lighter model probably a late 60s unit but was a good van to tow because it was light, about 17 cwt.

The first thing I noticed when we got it was how much better a towed vehicle was with level riders ( towing aids).

After some 37 years we decided to update, not the least because the old girl had sustained some major hail damage and was not insured at the time. So we did not repair it and it is now enjoying life a chook pen. Retired I guess you could say.

Our new van is a tandem axle 18.5 footer (internal) and the reason I decided on a tandem was the fact that with the old van, by the time I realised that we had a flat the tyre was usually torn to shreds, or otherwise unusable.

The new van tows beautifully and I fit the same old level riders to her that we had on the old van.

New light truck tyres, good big bearings and you dont have much to worry about.

We towed our throughout NSW, down into SA to the flinders Ranges, back down to Whyalla, then to the Adelaide Hills district and back along the Murry and back home to Kempsey NSW.

Not one problem the whole trip, the 97 cruiser pulled it beautifully and the whole deal was a relaxing event.

We're off again in Oct and can hardly wait. I am still working at the moment but not for a lot longer, 18 months should see us out.

My advice is go for it but be sure you have the right tow vehicle and you won't have a worry in the world.

Hope to see you out there some where.

Regards,
Gazal.

and if you told the young folk's that to-day, they just would'nt believe ya!

Thanks everyone. I suppose the benefits outweigh (pardon the pun) the negatives: a dual axle it will be. We have a Terracan which will tow it with ease. I am trying to change our screen name to 'Avan' (which we are buying on Saturday) after very unsatisfactory dealings with the manufacturers of Opalite.....anyway that is another story. Thanks again.

Out of interest what sort of price are we talking about for one of these dual axle caravans. Especially a Bush Tracker or other make of heavy duty offroad caravan?

Over the years we have gone from a ridge tent to a rooftent to our currently Adventure offroad camper trailer. Only had it a year but over it already.

Must be getting old because to be honest we are getting fed up of sitting in the dirt and wet, wet canvas to pack away. Trips to the shower block and to washup.

Oh to have a bit of comfort, a double bed, internal sink and shower.

My other half is a remote area nurse so I can see us travelling more and more so a caravan would be the way to go?

cheers