Reversing a multi-axle caravan into a tight site can be a challenge , requiring more skill on the part of the driver . A lot has to do with the physical length of the van , but there is also an inherent resistance to change directions .
When it comes to traversing long distances on unpaved roads , there is a school of thought that singleaxle trailers are more suitable as the van only ‘ hits the corrugations once ’. That ’ s true to a certain degree but multi-axle suspension spreads the effect over a wider area of contact with the road , lessening the effect the corrugations have on each wheel .
SUSPENSION TYPES
When it comes to trailer suspension , there are two main categories :
Solid beam axles : where the left and right-hand wheels are connected by a solid metal beam . This means what happens to one wheel will have some effect on the opposing wheel on that axle . These are elementary suspension systems that are inexpensive to manufacture and maintain . They generally do not feature shock absorbers , making the ride for your caravan ’ s contents rather rough . Because of this , caravans with this sort of suspension are not suited to rough , offroad conditions .
Our caravan has Cruisemaster XT air bag suspension . It offers the best ride , handling and convenience for the lowest cost .
Independent suspension : where there is no physical connection between opposing wheels . This allows the suspension at each wheel to travel independently of the opposing wheel . These suspension systems usually ( but not always ) feature shock absorbers with coil springs or airbags , making them ideally suited to offroad conditions . That said , they are much more complex to manufacture , so costs are higher than solid beam suspension systems . Maintenance costs can potentially be higher but that depends heavily on the type of terrain the caravan is put through .
WHICH SYSTEM CAN CARRY THE MOST WEIGHT ?
In the old days , you may have said that solid beam axles with leaf-spring suspension would be better for carrying heavy loads but that isn ’ t the case anymore . When it comes to caravans , heavier vans tend to feature independent suspension .
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