Wife and I are looking to buy our first van. Don't want to tow anything too big as it is just the 2 of us.
So while asking around there seems to be a wide opinion as to the safety issues around single axle vans if one should suffer a flat/blowout and the risk of an accident.
Personally I would be happy with a single axle as the van we are looking at (New Age) is only a single axle. But others we have spoken too seem to recommend the duel axle.
Just interested in the opinion of people who are on the road full time so may have some practical advise.
Thanks
John & Co
Hey Jim said
04:17 PM Jun 8, 2015
Hi John & co
Bit more info, Size and weight of van with ALL gear on board Food, Water Cloths etc. + Tow truck.
Jim
-- Edited by Hey Jim on Monday 8th of June 2015 04:18:41 PM
deverall11 said
04:19 PM Jun 8, 2015
Hey Jim wrote:
Hi John & co
Bit more info, Size and weight of van with ALL gear on board Food, Water Cloths etc. + Tow truck.
Jim
-- Edited by Hey Jim on Monday 8th of June 2015 04:18:41 PM
Also what are proposing to tow with?
herks said
04:46 PM Jun 8, 2015
Many thanks Jim.
Not after specifics as to individual vans and tow rigs, just an opinion as to the stability of single axle vans against duel with respect too flat tires/blowouts etc.
But for the record, 100 series LC petrol, and 16ft new Age Wallaby. AGM of van just over 2 Ton.
John & Co
Hey Jim said
05:08 PM Jun 8, 2015
Hi John,
Iv'e towed boat for 30 years across Australia, Tandum axels are the go. If you blow tyres as I have, much more control both traveling and stopping.
New van on the way. Again tandum independent, all the way round.
kandagal said
08:18 PM Jun 8, 2015
When we had a caravan we did an axle but because it was dual wheeled we were able to go on a bit to a safe spot to pull over. Would have been a different tory if it was a single axle
rockylizard said
08:31 PM Jun 8, 2015
Gday...
Apart from the size of the van determining the need of whether single or dual axles, this site gives some pros and cons -
This could take a few pages but for free I will try to keep it short.
I do own a single axle van approx 2000 kg with approx 200 on the ball, main reason I am saying approx is it all to do with how much wine I have abroad at the time, hit or miss or around that figure.
Last trip we blew a tyre shortly after leaving a 80 k zone, we were doing about 85 to 90 kph, when I realised we had done a tyre and had backed off I started to look for some where to park to change it but the first opportunity was about 600 metres further on, the wheel lost a bit of paint, not a lot of damage. So to me that blows that argument away 4 is better then 2.
Yes I need to be more selective about the quality and specifications of tyres, at lest 1100 kg rated.
Our van is 17.6 long it right up there but travels along very well, I do know it there not like some say I don't know it there. I have heaps of power, best out of all the dual cabs.
Most single axle vans have bigger brakes then dual axles, there is exceptions, so be careful with that one, pay attention.
Now it up to you to find what you are comfortable with, I had x to fit in my front yard parking and that is why I have what I have but I feel we got the best of both worlds at a good price with our van.
I hope this helps, have fun. Ralph.
aussietraveller said
06:57 AM Jun 9, 2015
Hi John and welcome to the forum you will hear from people who have a preference both ways but the final decision is what you feel comfortable with, I have towed both single and double axle vans over the last 35 years and never had tyre problems but I generally feel more comfortable towing a dual axle van as they seem more stable when travelling and I find them easier to put onto a site but you cant move them easily by hand like a single axle.
You mention a New Age 16 foot which will be a single axle and usually dual axle vans start at 18 foot and larger I have not seen a 16 foot with dual axles
iana said
07:35 AM Jun 9, 2015
Blow outs, what are blow outs. I call a blow out where a tire suddenly ruptures, you see it occasionally in the f1 races. I hve had what I call a blow out once when I was young and ran the tire wear through the wire and bang. I at the moment look after about 70 vehicles, can't recall a blowout. So are we really taking about a puncture that is leaking fast? or are you not checking your tires and allowing the wear to go too far?.
My thoughts were, that a single axle would give better fuel economy, as there is less rolling resistance, there is less weight due to one less suspension, axle and wheel system.
Now we have pressure sensing units that are installed inside the tires and transmit to a module in the tow vehicle that gives the driver warning of a puncture. This warning should give the driver time to pull over safely.
The other point too is single axles are much easier to manoeuvre when being pushed by hand.
The carriage will be determined by the all up weight of the van.
Radar said
08:12 AM Jun 9, 2015
My tyre failure was some of my doing, lack of time management.
The original tyre's on the 2008 model were well over due for replacement when we got hit by a November 2014 hail storm damaging the van to the point I believed the insurance company may right it off. With Christmas 2014 period shut downs and delays in getting new materials for the side wall to repair the van was mid February 2015 when repairs started to happen and we made a decision we would motel it for some function to attend in march 1000 ks from home.
It all happened at once phone call from the repairer to let us know the van would be ready Monday for pick up. The rush was on to put all gear back in for a Wednesday departure the latest we could leave it.
Well I did ring around shopping about and the tyres I was offered were not great and they would not be here before Thursday. I took a chance and it blew out for better word. I wanted the best and highest load rating I was able to get for our sub 2000 kg van, we finally settle on 1120 kg rated tyre.
Lesson learned replace tyres at 4 year intervals regardless of how good they look. I do believe I did check them at morning tea and there was the correct pressure in them and the tyre let go 90 ks further on. I was sensing no negatives before the failure.
Hi folks
Wife and I are looking to buy our first van. Don't want to tow anything too big as it is just the 2 of us.
So while asking around there seems to be a wide opinion as to the safety issues around single axle vans if one should suffer a flat/blowout and the risk of an accident.
Personally I would be happy with a single axle as the van we are looking at (New Age) is only a single axle. But others we have spoken too seem to recommend the duel axle.
Just interested in the opinion of people who are on the road full time so may have some practical advise.
Thanks
John & Co
Hi John & co
Bit more info, Size and weight of van with ALL gear on board Food, Water Cloths etc. + Tow truck.
Jim
-- Edited by Hey Jim on Monday 8th of June 2015 04:18:41 PM
Also what are proposing to tow with?
Many thanks Jim.
Not after specifics as to individual vans and tow rigs, just an opinion as to the stability of single axle vans against duel with respect too flat tires/blowouts etc.
But for the record, 100 series LC petrol, and 16ft new Age Wallaby. AGM of van just over 2 Ton.
John & Co
Hi John,
Iv'e towed boat for 30 years across Australia, Tandum axels are the go. If you blow tyres as I have, much more control both traveling and stopping.
New van on the way. Again tandum independent, all the way round.
Gday...
Apart from the size of the van determining the need of whether single or dual axles, this site gives some pros and cons -
http://withoutahitch.com.au/caravan/single-vs-tandem-axle-trailers/
Cheers - John
This could take a few pages but for free I will try to keep it short.
I do own a single axle van approx 2000 kg with approx 200 on the ball, main reason I am saying approx is it all to do with how much wine I have abroad at the time, hit or miss or around that figure.
Last trip we blew a tyre shortly after leaving a 80 k zone, we were doing about 85 to 90 kph, when I realised we had done a tyre and had backed off I started to look for some where to park to change it but the first opportunity was about 600 metres further on, the wheel lost a bit of paint, not a lot of damage. So to me that blows that argument away 4 is better then 2.
Yes I need to be more selective about the quality and specifications of tyres, at lest 1100 kg rated.
Our van is 17.6 long it right up there but travels along very well, I do know it there not like some say I don't know it there. I have heaps of power, best out of all the dual cabs.
Most single axle vans have bigger brakes then dual axles, there is exceptions, so be careful with that one, pay attention.
Now it up to you to find what you are comfortable with, I had x to fit in my front yard parking and that is why I have what I have but I feel we got the best of both worlds at a good price with our van.
I hope this helps, have fun. Ralph.
You mention a New Age 16 foot which will be a single axle and usually dual axle vans start at 18 foot and larger I have not seen a 16 foot with dual axles
My thoughts were, that a single axle would give better fuel economy, as there is less rolling resistance, there is less weight due to one less suspension, axle and wheel system.
Now we have pressure sensing units that are installed inside the tires and transmit to a module in the tow vehicle that gives the driver warning of a puncture. This warning should give the driver time to pull over safely.
The other point too is single axles are much easier to manoeuvre when being pushed by hand.
The carriage will be determined by the all up weight of the van.
My tyre failure was some of my doing, lack of time management.
The original tyre's on the 2008 model were well over due for replacement when we got hit by a November 2014 hail storm damaging the van to the point I believed the insurance company may right it off. With Christmas 2014 period shut downs and delays in getting new materials for the side wall to repair the van was mid February 2015 when repairs started to happen and we made a decision we would motel it for some function to attend in march 1000 ks from home.
It all happened at once phone call from the repairer to let us know the van would be ready Monday for pick up. The rush was on to put all gear back in for a Wednesday departure the latest we could leave it.
Well I did ring around shopping about and the tyres I was offered were not great and they would not be here before Thursday. I took a chance and it blew out for better word. I wanted the best and highest load rating I was able to get for our sub 2000 kg van, we finally settle on 1120 kg rated tyre.
Lesson learned replace tyres at 4 year intervals regardless of how good they look. I do believe I did check them at morning tea and there was the correct pressure in them and the tyre let go 90 ks further on. I was sensing no negatives before the failure.
Yes owner error. Ralph.