What are the advantages of Twin axles.
The main advantage is space.
A twin axle caravan of a similar layout to a single axle version will feel more spacious, having a larger washroom or longer front seats. But more often than not in new caravans it will be the center kitchen area that will benefit as the front lounge and end washrooms are normally copied and pasted from model to model to save development costs.
Having said this the difference is sometimes only fifty centimeters and it is difficult to see where this is. It is normally a good indication as to whether the customer needs to go to a twin axle or not, if they can't see the difference when going from one to the other, then they may not benefit from it.
The other main advantage is stability. A twin axle caravan is less prone to snaking as the two points of contact on the road surface act as a stabilizing force.
What are the disadvantages of a twin axle caravan?
With the extra materials used to produce a larger caravan comes extra cost. A typical twin axle caravan will cost £1700 more than its single axle equivalent.
The other disadvantage is maneuverability. Due to the extra points of contact on the road when the caravan is maneuvered you get what is called 'scrubbing'. This is friction between the tyres on the surface of the ground as they try to combat any sideways movement. Combine this with the extra weight and it makes manhandling the caravan a lot more difficult than a single axle caravan.
The other disadvantage is maneuverability. Due to the extra points of contact on the road when the caravan is maneuvered you get what is called 'scrubbing'. This is friction between the tyres on the surface of the ground as they try to combat any sideways movement. Combine this with the extra weight and it makes manhandling the caravan a lot more difficult than a single axle caravan.
This can be combatted with the addition of a motor mover which have become very effective in recent years.
So if space is what you are looking for then a twin axle is the way forward, providing that the disadvantages do not outweigh the advantages. With the rise in popularity in seasonal use the twin axle caravan is coming into its own because maneuverability isn't an issue.
So if space is what you are looking for then a twin axle is the way forward, providing that the disadvantages do not outweigh the advantages. With the rise in popularity in seasonal use the twin axle caravan is coming into its own because maneuverability isn't an issue.
Why are there twin Axle caravan layouts?
The extra size of a twin axle caravan allows manufactures to expand on the range of layouts they can produce. Adding a larger washroom, extra bunk beds or just more space in key places so the customer feels more comfortable.
But with the extra size come extra weight, axle manufactures produce an axle which are designed to carry a certain weight. So once a caravan gets too big for the weight group it is designed for, a second axle needs to be added. There are advantages and disadvantages to twin axle caravan which we will delve into in another instalment.
But with the extra size come extra weight, axle manufactures produce an axle which are designed to carry a certain weight. So once a caravan gets too big for the weight group it is designed for, a second axle needs to be added. There are advantages and disadvantages to twin axle caravan which we will delve into in another instalment.
Why so many fixed beds?
The main reason for the rise in popularity in fixed bed layouts is the change in use that caravans have seen over the past number of years.
The caravan was a means to get away for a few weeks each year during the summer holidays. The technology in the early caravans restricted their use to the warmer months on only the hardy few would consider using them in the winter. Also most caravan sites would shut at the end of october.
As the caravans have got better heating systems and insulation the season has been extended to all year round use and the caravan has become to be seen as a home from home to many people instead of a glorified tent. This has attracted many more people to the caravanning holiday and the layouts have come along to support the change in use from the occasional week here and there to longer term use.
Washrooms.
Many manufactures work hard to include a full washroom in each layout and there are very few layouts today which don't include a full shower cubicle. There seems to be a strange reaction by the customer regarding showers. Many customer report that they do not use the shower in the caravan but it is still a main criteria when choosing a layout. This has lead to the almost total demise of the "Over the toilet shower" type of washroom which has the knock on effect of making the caravan longer and heavier.
Choise.
The main reason we have so many different layouts is the diversity of people who want to use a caravan, from a two berth couple with a small tow vehicle to a family of six with a large tow vehicle.. Different people have different criteria when considering the layout they require, and this will be the subject of my next blog, What layout should I choose?
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