dual verse single axle

peter

before we can answer that question we need more info
how many people will be using it
do you want shower and toilet
are you going off road
whats the tow kg off your car
etc etc
have you found a layout that you like and a brand that you like that way people can give you answers from there own experience.

trev

It seems there is a "grey zone" in wheel numbers on vans around the 16'-18' range - determined by weights I guess - if I had the option, I'd go 4 wheels simply to share the load over 4 tyres instead of two - I also assume that a blowout isn't going to have the same potential for disaster on 4, as it would have on two (no testing planned here ! :-o). In the instance of a hub failure too, I'm told limping to the next service centre on 3, after that wheel is removed, can be practical (depending on the road etc. of course).

Apart from all the other issues already raised, and having towed both single and tandem axle I have found the tandem setup is a fair bit more stable, seems to follow the tow vehicle a lot better, less "tail wagging", but correct loading, ball weight etc is important with either set up. At the 17' mark it seems to be that some makers build in both configuration depending on weight and off road ability.

Cheers
Pop

Peter, another thing to consider is where the van is going to be parked when not in use.
In our instance (van similar sizing to what you are looking for) we park ours at the back of our block under a carport next to the garage.
Our problem is there's quite a dogleg to get the van into position and it's slightly uphill as well.
I use a dual wheel Maco Mule ratchet wheel to manhandle into position but it's pretty hard Yakka.
Our van is a single axle 17 ish foot van and in reality I don't think I'd be able to convince a double axle van to get in under the carport.
Regards Andrew.

Tandems have a larger wheel well taking up space in van floor which can be an issue with the smaller vans

Hi Peter,
I had chosen dual axles on our last 2 vans because when we had a single axle van the destruction caused to one of our tyres when it had deflated was incredable.
Before I realised that we had a flat the tyre had destroyed itself.

I reasoned in 06 when looking for an update that a dual axle gave me a better chance of saving a tyre from destruction by virtue of the fact that the load was better shared over 4 wheels. Hopefully resulting in less damage to the tyre.

As it has turned out, partly because we use only good quality tyres, we have never had an incident on dual axles, as yet, touch wood.

On a 17 foot van, wheel well incursion is not a problem due to the length of the cabin. In this day and age they build furniture around them so in most modern vans you do not see the wheel wells at all unless you go looking.

As another respondant above has said " the increased stability with 4 wheels" gives a more relaxing and reassuring ride.

Before buying talk to as many people as you can on the virtues or otherwise of a pop top versus full van.

Whenever you see someone with a van pulled up anywhere just go over and start a conversation about their van and ask what they like about it and what they would change. In this way you will get a good cross section of ideas.

You will find nearly everybody you talk to will be only too happy to discuss it with you.

Cheers, Bruce.

I have an answer for this, check thread No 33574.

.

Just my opinion.
When towing, tandems are heavier than a single axle of the same length (obviously), much more stable behind the vehicle, less sway and pitching.

For manoeuvring into a site by vehicle, the tandem is more difficult to manoeuvre into a tight spot but overall more forgiving when backing up.

For manoeuvring by hand using a power wheel or similar, a tandem is much more difficult.

The wheel bearings on a tandem have much more stress applied sideways when turning than a single axle. The tyres cop more scrubbing too.

Use two less tyres on a single axle therefore tyre replacement is half the price.

I've had both and prefer the tandem for cruising although I wouldn't mind going back to a single axle.

WBS

We have a 2009 Jayco Discovery 17ft that we bought new. It's a single axle and tows well with our patrol. Loaded it weighs 1550kg. The things we regret not getting are a van with a toilet(we camp offroad) and an offroad type van with extra ground clearance. Our discovery sits under our main roof carport.

Cheers Joker

Peter
You have received some excellent advice. We had similar goals to you. Approx 17ft, onboard toilet/shower and something comfortable. But to house it in our back yard we need to turn it 90 degrees viirually in its own length. My feelings are that if its not easy to get our van in and out we are less likely to use it. So we opted for a single axle van (easy to turn in tight spaces) and we lashed out and bought a Kamper Trolley. This remote control little tractor makes manouvering tha caravan an absolute breeze. No huffing and puffing. Its not cheap but we have no regrets. And the siingle axle van is just terrific.
Have fun and good luck
Keith

Peter, After many months of looking at options, we chose a Jayco Discovery 16.52-3. Its a single axle with single beds and onboard shower and toilet. We liked the smooth sides too. We tow it with a 3.0litre Diesel Colorado and its behaviour is as good as gold. We replaced the mattresses with something softer. The originals were a bit brutal on the ageing bones! If the van is easy to set up, handles well and the beds are comfortable, then we will use it more often. We are very happy with our choices. Its not an Off-Road model.
Good luck and have lots of fun. Speaking for ourselves, we find this time of our lives fantastic. Not so many responsibilities and quite a few less inhibitions!

We have a 17 ' off road van with single wheels, control rider suspension. the loaded weight is just over 2250 kgs.
We tow it with a 4.2 TD patrol. We have done nearly 25,000 kms with it with well over 2,000 kms off the black top, oonadatta track, GRR and a few other tracks. It tows with ease and travels perfectly. The wheels are all matched to the patrol.
The van is very easy to handle in tight parks.
We have good quality LT tyres and I believe that I have the van balanced for best results.
My preference is the single wheels. Our van has a full ensuite.
our last trip was about 14,000 kms, up the centre and thru the Kimberelies and down the Goldfields highway, lost count of the number of roads trains that passed us with no worries at all
hope this helps.
Hugh

Pete, Some exceptional advice from some experienced van owners I suggest. I am sure you will consider all the advice but I guess in the end it will be your decision whether you go single or dual axle. Next question you need answered is "pop top" or not. Good luck.