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Single Axle vs Double Axle Travel Trailer
Do you want to buy a travel trailer but don’t know if you should get one with a single or double axle? Contrary to popular belief, more does not always mean better. Particularly regarding axles, it depends on your use and preferences.
- Single Axle Trailers: Smaller, lighter, lower carrying capacity.
- Double Axle Trailers: Larger, heavier, higher carrying capacity.
- Single Axle Trailers: Easier maneuverability, lacks stability at high speeds.
- Double Axle Trailers: Enhanced stability on highway, challenging maneuverability.
- Single Axle Trailers: Cheaper to purchase, maintain, and tow.
- Double Axle Trailers: These are more expensive initially, with higher maintenance costs.
- Single Axle Trailers: Risky with one tire blowout.
- Double Axle Trailers: Three other tires can support.
- Single Axle Trailers: These are more fuel-efficient due to their lighter weight.
- Double Axle Trailers: Significant reduction in vehicle’s gas mileage.
- Single Axle Trailers: Can often be towed by smaller vehicles.
- Double Axle Trailers: Typically require a larger vehicle.
If you’re confused about which one would fit your needs, then don’t worry. In this post, I’ll explain an axle and the difference between a single and double axle. In addition, we’ll be looking at the various things you should consider when deciding on an axle.
By the time you’re done reading this post, you will be more familiar with single and double-axle trailers. It may also help you figure out which one suits your needs.
Without wasting any more time, let’s get right into this post.
What is an Axle?
When braking and steering, axles play a big part. Essentially, it’s a rod onto which the wheels of your vehicle are attached. For example, your car has two axles, one in the front and one at the rear.
Not only does the axle ensure that your wheels are correctly aligned, but it also holds the vehicle’s weight. Simply put, the axles determine your vehicle’s weight/load capacity.
There are multiple types of axles, including:
- Coil springs
- Spring
- Trailing arm
- Rubber Compression
- Torsion
However, after a bit of research, you’ll see that spring and torsion axles are most commonly used on travel trailers.
Spring Axles
As the name shows, spring axles are constructed with flat spring stock stacked proportionally to the load. The spring can be placed over the axle or slung under the axle. Usually, the spring is slung under for trailers.
Not only does this lower the ride height, but it also improves the overall stability. The components of a spring axle can easily be detached, making it easier to repair and maintain. They’re also comparatively cheaper than torsion axles.
Torsion Axles
Instead of the flat steel springs, torsion axles have long rubber cords. These long rubber cords are located inside a square tube and have an inner core piece to which the torsion arms are attached.
The torsion axle doesn’t require a lot of maintenance. Just remember to lubricate the wheel bearings regularly.
Moreover, as torsion axles don’t have metal-on-metal contact, they don’t produce as much noise as spring axles.
What’s the Difference between Single Axle and Double Axle Trailer?
As the name suggests, single-axle trailers have one axle with a wheel on each end. On the other hand, double axle or tandem axle trailers have two axles. These are usually close to each other to help distribute the weight better.
Let’s look at some of the other differences between the two types of trailers.
Trailer Size
Generally, smaller trailers have a single axle. One set of wheels is enough to pull single-axle trailers as they’re smaller and weightless.
Single-axle trailers are more accessible to maneuver as they have a smaller length. You don’t need a huge parking space to park a single-axle trailer.
However, as they’re lightweight, they’re not constructed to handle heavy-duty weight.
On the other hand, longer and larger trailers have double axles. As they’re larger, they are also heavier. A tandem axle is perfect for handling additional load and length.
Towing Experience
As mentioned earlier, single axle travel trailers are smaller and lighter than double axle trailers. They’re more lightweight and less resistant to the wind and road so that you can enjoy a smooth trip.
Moreover, you don’t need a heavy-duty truck to tow them as they’re lighter. An SUV can easily pull most single-axle travel trailers. This saves you the trouble of getting a whole new vehicle.
Double-axle trailers are more stable on highways and at high speeds. This means they’re less likely to sway as you drive.
Safety
The law doesn’t require single-axle trailers with a Gross Trailer Mass (GTM) below 750 kg to have brakes, which raises safety questions.
Double axle trailers are a lot safer as they usually carry loads over 750kg, which means they’re required to have brakes.
Even if you add brakes on your single-axle trailer, tandem axle trailers are still safer as they have brakes on four wheels.
In addition, getting a flat tire on a single-axle trailer is quite dangerous as you only have one other wheel to rely on. While on a double axle, even if you get a flat tire, it’s not as dangerous as you have three other wheels to rely on.
Cost
Given the size and weight, single axle trailers are usually cheaper than double axle trailers. You also save on maintenance as you have fewer bearings, wheels, and brakes. You also save on fuel costs.
On the other hand, your vehicle will require more fuel for double-axle trailers as you’re carrying a heavier load. You also have more wheels, bearings, and brakes to maintain, which adds to repair and maintenance costs.
Which is Better: Single Axle vs Double Axle
Now that we’ve looked at the difference between a single axle and a double axle, which is better?
The answer depends on your preferences and requirements. You can ask yourself the following questions to help you figure out what you want:
- How much weight capacity do I want my travel trailer to have?
- How much load can my vehicle pull?
- Will I get a new vehicle to pull the travel trailer?
- How much is my budget?
Once you have the answers to these questions, I suggest you go over the pros and cons of both single axle and double axle travel trailers to help you decide.
Single Axle Trailers
Pros:
- Smaller and lighter
- Comparatively cheaper
- More straightforward to maneuver through tight places
- Don’t take up a lot of parking space
- Lower maintenance costs
- Lower fuel costs
- You don’t need a heavy-duty truck to pull a single-axle trailer
- Less resistant to wind and road, which means you can enjoy a smooth trip
Cons:
- Not constructed to handle heavy loads
- Not very stable at high speeds
- Tend to sway more
- More weight and wear per tire
- Trailers with GTM below 750kg aren’t required to have brakes, which can be a safety risk
Double Axle Trailers
Pros:
- More stable on highways and high speeds
- Can handle heavy-duty load
- Don’t sway
- They are safer as they have brakes on all four wheels
- Less weight and wear per tire
Cons:
- More costly
- Fuel costs are also high
- Require more maintenance as you have more wheels, bearings, and brakes to deal with
Single Axle vs Double Axle FAQs
Are single-axle travel trailers safe?
Yes, they are safe and adequately maintained when used within their weight limits. However, they can be more susceptible to swaying and less stable in strong crosswinds than double-axle trailers.
Are double-axle travel trailers more challenging to tow?
While they may require a more powerful towing vehicle due to their weight, they are generally considered easier to tow at highway speeds due to their increased stability.
What are the disadvantages of a double-axle travel trailer?
They tend to be more expensive regarding initial purchase and maintenance costs. They also require a larger vehicle to tow and can be more challenging to maneuver in tight spaces.
Can I switch from a single to a double axle on my travel trailer?
It is technically possible but not generally recommended due to the structural and design differences. It’s better to choose the right type from the start.
Summary
In conclusion, the decision between a single axle vs double axle travel Trailer largely depends on an individual’s needs and preferences. Single-axle trailers offer benefits such as being lighter, smaller, and easier to maneuver.
They are also less costly to purchase, maintain, and tow, making them an economical choice. However, they have a lower carrying capacity and lack stability at high speeds, which may concern some users.
On the other hand, double axle trailers are larger and heavier with a higher carrying capacity. This makes them more suitable for heavy-duty tasks.
They also boast enhanced stability on highways, ensuring a safer driving experience. However, they have a higher initial purchase price and maintenance costs.
Furthermore, their maneuverability can be challenging due to their size. While a single tire blowout can make single axle trailers risky, double axle trailers have three other tires that can provide support in such instances.
Therefore, both types of travel trailers have unique strengths and limitations – the choice ultimately depends on one’s specific needs and budget constraints.
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