Greetings burnsmontyc!
--- In [EMAIL PROTECTED], "burnsmontyc" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > > I'm new to the group and have been looking at trailers, still a few > decades for retirement. > > What is the pro's and con's of a single axle trailer vs. a double? > > Towing, ride, repairs, sway? > > Thanks I have owned both single and tandem axle coaches, in both Airstream and Brand X models. What I have found with my Airstream products is that since the coaches seem to be very well balanced from their original engineering, they are very stable irregardless of whether the coach is single or tandem axle equipped. I have had very limited indication of sway with either of my current Airstream products. The keys are to have the proper towing equipment (weight distributing hitch and sway control), and to carefully pack both the tow vehicle and coach (I have found with both of my coaches that they tow much better with full fresh water tanks and empty waste water tanks). I have towed my Airstream coaches many thousands of miles with a Reese Strait-Line Hitch with Dual Cam Sway Control with absolute satisfaction. When a choice between tandem and single axle is made in the Airstream world, it is more one of preference than function - - unlike my Brand X coaches, the Airstream products with single axles have been just as stable as my tandem axle unit. The biggest difference that I notice when switching between the two coaches is that the tandem axle coach is MUCH easier to back into a spot and hit the spot that I desire. The single axle coach reacts MUCH more quickly to inputs from the tow vehicle, especially when backing, which makes it somewhat more difficult to park (IMHO). The single axle coach can be a little more prone to sway, but with my Airstream product it has been something easily controlled through attention to loading and selection of a good hitch system (IMHO). So long as the coach is loaded within its GVWR and the tow vehicle and equipment are properly matched to the coach then either coach impresses me as an absolutely stable traveling companion. The one time when a tandem axle coach is preferrable to a single axle coach is in the event of a tire blow-out or flat. I have had one on both a single-axle (Brand X) and on my tandem axle (Airstream). The blow-out on the single axle was much more evident in the handling of the coach/tow vehicle, while on the tandem axle the blow-out was barely evident (an unexpected bang was all that alerted me on the tandem coach). The other plus for the tandem axle coach in the event of a flat or blow-out is that it is possible to go into a "Limp-Home" mode on three tires/wheels to get safely off of the highway if not to the nearest repair facility; flat changing is also easier with a tandem as you can back or pull the good tire (on that side) up on blocks to raise the coach eliminating the need for a jack when changing a flat. So far as ride is concerned, with an Airstream product it seems to be more an issue of axle condition, shock condition, and proper inflation of tires than a single versus tandem axle question. With a vintage coach the condition of the DuraTorque axle(s) is a key to a coach with proper ride characteristics (height as well as smoothness). Obviously, with a tandem axle coach you will be looking at twice as many tires to maintain, twice as many sets of brakes to maintain, twice as many sets of wheel bearings to maintain, twice as many sets of shocks to maintain, and twice as many axles to replace should the need ever arise - - so the expense of maintaining the running gear of a tandem axle coach will be higher. Prior to my experience with my Airstream single axle (Argosy Minuet 6.0 Metre), my advice to a novice considering a travel trailer would have been to avoid a single axle. Given my experience with Airstream, I would say look for the floorplan and size that best suits you. The differences in towing performance between the single and tandem axle Airstream product coaches is negligible so long as the tow vehicle and towing equipment have been properly matched to the coach. Good luck with your research! Kevin Kevin D. Allen WBCCI/VAC/Free Wheelers/Computer Club #6359 1964 Overlander International/1999 GMC K2500 Suburban (7400 VORTEC/4.10 Differentials) 1978 Argosy Minuet 6.0 Metre/1975 Cadillac Eldorado Convertible (8.2 Liter V8/2.70 Final Drive) To unsubscribe from this group, go to http://www.groups.yahoo.com/group/AirstreamList/ and unsubscribe. To suspend delivery while traveling, simply change the delivery option to No Mail-Web only. Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AirstreamList/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
