RV FEATURE
If you ’ re in the market for a new or pre-loved caravan , it ’ s easy to be overwhelmed by the sheer variety of shapes and sizes available when deciding what suits you and your needs . However , there is something else you may want to consider when making your choice : the number of axles your caravan will have .
This number may affect how you use the caravan and how easy it will be to live with long term . In order to help you make sense of all this , we visited the Roadstar Caravans factory in Campbellfield , Vic , for advice on why you might want one , two or more axles on your caravan .
I found that towing a dual-axle van on open beaches was easier than towing a single-axle van in the same conditions .
Our first caravan was a single-axle , designed for extreme offroad performance .
WHAT TYPES OF AXLES ARE THERE ?
Before we get too far into the subject , it is worth looking at the types of axles that are available . Essentially , there are two basic types : solid axles and independent suspensions .
Solid axles are the more traditional type of axles used on most trailers . They feature a physical connection between the two opposing wheels . They are generally basic , cheap to manufacture and traditionally used for carrying heavy loads . Having a connection between opposing wheels means that what happens to one wheel will have a direct effect on the other .
For example , if one wheel drops into a ditch , the opposing wheel will also move . Similarly , if one wheel hits a severe bump , the forces will be transmitted to the opposing wheel . This can have an adverse effect on how the trailer handles .
/ 43