RV FEATURE
You ’ ve likely never given much thought to the type of suspension with which your passenger car was fitted . As long as it has a comfortable ride , who cares what ’ s keeping the wheels on the ground ? Even buying a 4WD these days , the type of suspension plays less of a part than it did 20 years ago . But when it comes to purchasing a caravan or camper trailer , the type of suspension fitted is a big deal and can form a large part of the decision-making process .
In this article , we want to give you a basic rundown of the various types of suspension available . We ’ ll attempt answer the most common questions asked about caravan suspension as plainly as possible .
SINGLE VS MULTI-AXLE SUSPENSION
Before we get too involved in suspension types , it ’ s worth discussing the option of single or multiple-axle suspension configurations . Many owners want to know if there are advantages or disadvantages to either . Fortunately , this is very easy to answer .
No matter how good it is , no suspension is indestructible . If going off road , always remember to lower tyre pressures and drive to the conditions .
Single-axle configurations are generally fitted to small and medium-length trailers up to around 18ft . Most camper trailers will have single axles . Single-axle trailers will have a significantly less weight carrying capacity than multi-axle configurations . If you get a puncture in one tyre , it will have an immediate effect on the trailer ’ s drivability . If you have a tyre blowout , the effects on the trailer will potentially be catastrophic .
On the plus side , single-axle trailers are much more manoeuvrable and are easier to reverse into a tight site . They are also more suitable for severe offroad conditions where ground clearance and ramp-over capabilities are required .
Multi-axle suspension systems are best suited to long caravans carrying heavy loads . While double-axle setups are the most popular for trailer lengths up to around 23ft , triple-axle configurations are seen on longer vans . We ’ ve even seen a four-axle caravan during our travels . Multiaxle caravans are generally more stable and less affected by a single tyre puncture or blowout . In fact , some owners have driven many kilometres with a blown tyre on a double-axle caravan and have not noticed any effects on general drivability .
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