Some RV owners have claimed to have seen 18 and 19-foot versions but those stats do not trump the 14 8 Dutchman TT. Choosing a trailer. By Cheri Sicard Single axles weigh less and cost less in general. Trailer axles are built with a slight upward curve in the middle. We know selecting the right trailer can sometimes be a difficult decision especially if youre new to the trailer world. A single-axle trailer may not have the best weight distribution, while a dual-axle trailer comes with special axles that help distribute extra weight. Slightly non-level trailers still tow fine. An increased stability on the road means less chance of trailer sway or the trailer losing grip on loose or uneven surfaces. There are fewer tires, brake bearings, and axles to check, maintain, and replace. If only one tire is wearing faster on the inside, you may have a bent suspension part, like a spindle. Single-axle and dual-axle trailers offer various benefits depending on which kind of travel trailer you prefer. Blowouts happen and cannot be avoided. Lets begin by delving a little further into a single axle travel trailers safety features. If you need to get your Bowlus aligned, reach out to the Bowlus product support team to make a service appointment. A leaf spring suspension is ideal for larger, heavier travel trailers, as it can easily support up to 7,000 lbs of weight. It means theres not enough weight distributed to the front wheels of your truck or SUV and it will compromise your handling. asked by: Randy Expert Reply: Yes, a trailer that is nose up can cause big problems. But I just put on new Goodyear Endurance tires inflated to 75-80 psi. Some of the things we love about single axle RVs are: Answer seven questions to find out right now. So long as you dont over pack and exceed the GVWR, and you keep up with your tire maintenance (including making sure the tires are properly inflated), a single axle camper is perfectly safe to tow. Loading too much weight towards the front of your caravan can cause your towing vehicle to sag, and your front tires may lose traction. Trailer Part Bundles: Bundle and save on trailer parts! As you would expect, more axles and more wheels means bigger and heavier loads. Dual Axle Vs Single Axle Trailers | Blog The intensity of the swinging movements can increase and lead to trailer flipping, which may, in turn, overturn your towing vehicle. 1. Non-trailer tires are made to carry people. Both single axle and dual axle camper trailers have pros and cons, and its tough to decide which version is best for you. The total load capacity of the tires cannot exceed the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR), or the maximum amount a vehicle can safely weigh. If you plan to sell your trailer after a few years, you may want to consider the value of single-axle or double-axle trailers over time. Towing a travel trailer thats overweight is illegal and dangerous. Reese Friction Sway Control Kit - Economy - by Draw-Tite, Reese and Hidden Hitch. Unlike single axle trailers, tandem axle trailers have two axles that are both connected to the four wheels on the trailer. But single axle trailers do have their drawbacks. 2023 RVTravel.com All rights Reserved. This can cause one tire to skid rather than roll smoothly down the road, creating heat and friction that wears out the rubber. At Bowlus, weve designed our luxury travel trailer with just a single axle. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google. It can also result from excessive heat caused by going over the speed rating of your tires. Join us to view the Endless Highways at an exclusive location. Your browser's Javascript functionality is turned off. Having half the number of wheels and only one axle not only means less components, but results in a far less complicated trailer design. Of course, the single axle versions will give you those extra miles per gallon you want. Please register below to receive access to the exclusive Four Seasons Guide. The first thing you should do is make sure you have the right ball and hitch for your single axle travel trailer. Don't Speed Downhill Excessive downhill speed causes unstable trailer and tow vehicle combinations. This added stability can help prevent trailer sway and keep you safe while towing. Many customers appreciate dual-axle trailers for their large size and ability to handle a high number of people and supplies. Trailer sway is one of the most dangerous conditions when towing a travel trailer. What Causes Trailer Sway? In basic terms, it's a rod with a wheel on each end. If you look hard enough, we are certain you may find smaller ones than we have so far. It just takes a few moments of your time to make sure everything is in proper working order and ready for the long road trip. allow for kayaks, bicycles, and other light adventure toys to be transported without issue. Very few narrow-body tandem-axle trailers are produced, but there are a few. What is a Jockey wheel and what does it do? Trailer Sway - how NOT to fix, and how to fix Here are some pros and cons for a single axle trailer: It is not hard to practice a little single axle travel trailer safety. Should A Trailer Be Level When Towing? - Life on Route Campers typically have one or two axles, with many of the largest toy hauler 5th wheels having three. Single Axle vs Double Axle Travel Trailer? - Living Pioneer Reese. (Winda Trailer Tires Review), Are Gremax Trailer Tires Good? While all trailer brakes provide superior stopping power, double axle trailer brakes offer several advantages over their single-axle counterparts. How To Stop Travel Trailer Sway - RVBlogger Weight distribution is the leading cause of trailer sway. To learn much more about preventing travel trailer sway check out our article called How To Stop Travel Trailer Sway. Boat trailers, for example, are made with stiff, solid axles with loose springs, which causes them to jump a lot when not weighed down. Some Final Words Are Single Axle Travel Trailers Safe? Anti-Sway And Weight-Distribution Hitches | BoatUS You see this particularly with utility trailers that are empty. Not enough weight on the trailer tongue can cause sway. Another critical consideration when choosing between a single and double axle camper trailer is the cargo-carrying capacity. Of course, nothing can stop a nail on the road when it is in the right position. This is the total weight that one axle can hold safely. Structurally, STs have straight, solid ribs the ribs being the circumferential bands of strong rubber separated by grooves. Driving at excessive speeds or crosswinds can also cause a swaying motion. If you see faster wear on the outer tread, this may be a case of an under-loaded trailer: The trailer weight is too light to straighten out the axle. Thats why its essential to pay attention to all the different systems on your RV, including the axle. Spring axles often give the trailer improved stability and detach quickly, making maintenance and repair easier. Moderate driving speeds produce less strain on your vehicle and trailer reducing the chance for trailer sway. Accessories and Parts. Nevertheless, it is an important factor which will effect almost every part of the towing experience. Jeep Flat Tow Brake System (How Does a Brake System Work? Choose one of the options below to enter your vehicle details. If your trailer has wheels that are out of alignment or a frame that is not well designed, then youre likely to experience trailer swaying. Contact us today to speak to a Big Tex representative, or call us at 888-885-1005. Pitched Tow Vehicle or Trailer 4. As a tow vehicle speeds up, the heavy trailer tracking behind it will move even faster. A scary sight that no one likes to see their trailer do is sway back and forth. There are many approaches to fixing an unlevel tow issue, depending on your rig: ST (Special Trailer) tires are a better choice. Learn how your comment data is processed. Dual axle trailers are ideal for long distance towing. Enhance your Trailer Experience with our Latest New Arrivals! These factors include: This indicates how much weight your vehicle can handle all together. Sway Control for a Single Axle Trailer With an A-Frame Coupler In addition, the springs lift the travel trailer higher off the ground, giving the trailer a bit more clearance when driving over uneven terrain. This is natural, since a single axle can only hold so much. By continuing to use our site, you consent to accepting cookies. The high profile of most trailers makes them more likely to get strong sways. No anonymous comments. Why does my RV have water from bathroom faucet but not kitchen? (Gremax Trailer Tires Review), Are Goodride Tires Any Good? So, what are the negatives of a dual axle trailer? This makes navigating sharp corners and tight spaces less stressful. However you plan to travel, the many differences between a single-axle or dual-axle trailer can tell you what trailer will fit your needs. We will check one out! Often, a single-axel trailers weight limits dont have the flexibility for higher demands and are much better suited for lighter supplies and fewer passengers. Weight distribution is another essential factor. And dont forget about maintenance costs! Dual-axle trailers also have several benefits besides size and weight capacity. Though youll see many of these axles in various vehicle applications, spring and torsion axles are the most common axles found in travel trailers. In addition, an RV axle plays a vital role in helping to control movement, ensuring that the vehicle is stable and maneuverable. Speed 6. Double axle tires are more stable since they have four tires on the ground. They are built with a quality frame and construction materials as well as have good joints and connections. You are going to have to fight to maintain control. There are many die-hard dual axle owners out there who wont own anything but a dual-axle travel trailer but one main advantage the single axle has is that it is easier to handle. How To Check Travel Trailer Axle Alignment for a Safe and, Antifreeze in RV Water Heater: Causes and Solutions for Safe, Is it Safe to Pressure Wash an RV Roof? Thats not the normal contact patch for tires, and youll see pronounced wear there. Maybe the Dexter axle with shock absorbers lessens the potential for tire malfunction? Airstreams single axle floorplans are considerably smaller and range from 16 to 22-feet long. They are built with a quality frame and construction materials as well as have good joints and connections. An RV axle serves an essential function in the suspension system of a camper trailer. I have covered the details of Interply Shear in my RV Tire Safety blog. You will not see this on single axle trailers. But our owners report that they find the opposite to be true. Retail: $141.41. Besides the obvious differences between the two, there are a lot of reasons one style may be more suited to your needs that the other, so lets have a look at them now! Whether you are driving on winding back roads or navigating tight campsite parking spaces, this vital piece of equipment helps ensure that your camper trailer stays safely on the ground. I have a single axle, but I keep my eyes and ears on my tires via a TPMS. The axles rod runs underneath your camper and allows the connected tires to rotate as you move on down the road. Starting an appointment will clear chains from your shopping cart. Why Is the Proper Trailer Hitch Height So Important? - TheRVgeeks (Goodride Trailer Tires Review), Are Single Axle Travel Trailers Safe?, Choosing Single or Double Axle Travel Trailer, What is The Shortest Dual Axle Travel Trailer?, Pros and Cons of Single Axle Travel Trailer, Single Axle Travel Trailer Safety, Do Single Axle Travel Trailers Have Brakes?. These tires are usually narrower to fit standard trailer wheels. Because of its design, there are some pros and cons that you should consider when looking at one. Theoretically, a properly balanced trailer will not sway under normal travel and road influences. Most states seem to have laws that state you need to have trailer brakes on trailers if those trailers weigh more than 2000 pounds. This trailer sway control kit reduces lateral movement caused by wind, passing trucks or uneven roads for a safer ride while towing. not level with the hitch of the tow vehicle), this reduces the tow ball mass. Check the tire pressure. Micheldever Station, Winchester, Hampshire, SO21 3AS. If you exceed that weight capacity, then yes, the single axle travel trailer will not be safe to tow behind your vehicle. Thats why its crucial to have a trailer that can maneuver around tight corners and rugged terrain. Our article explores this issue so you can find the right travel trailer for you and your family. Causes of Trailer Sway and How to Prevent Them. The short answer is that a single-axle trailer has one axle on each end of the wheel, while a dual-axle trailer has two axles placed close together to distribute weight safely. Trailer and Tire Do's and Don'ts: Answers to Common Questions Theyre easier to move with the use of a jockey wheel (as found on the Bowlus) because theyre lighter and they only have two wheels. For example, the single axle molded fiberglass camper is one of the most aerodynamic trailers. Single axles are not required by regulation to braking systems. This gives you the ability to position your unit anywhere on your site and it makes hooking up a breeze. Also, because single-axle trailers tend to have narrower bodies, they can be less stable and sway more going down the road. We call it "fishtailing." Two factors are involved here: (1) the side forces on the travel trailer and (2) the location and type of pivot point that the trailer is linked to. There is no doubt that single axles are safe. Quick RV Tech Tip: The smart way one of our readers added a ladder to RV. Its rounded front cap and fitted two-piece design reduce drag, making it more fuel-efficient than traditional trailers. It happens when the trailer oscillates from side to side and can quickly become uncontrollable. What they dont mention is that doing that can cause significant damage to the trailer and the wheel and since that can significantly increase your repair costs, its not really an advantage in our book. However, if the trailer sway is severe, it can lead to a jackknife, which is when the trailer swings around and collides with the tow vehicle. Of course, weight, price, and usually size increase with double-axle RVs. Well go through each factor you should consider and show you which type of axle is best based on the unique features. If youre towing a swaying trailer, you have all the reasons to get worried because the outcome can be downright dangerous. A lighter weight trailer means that you can stop faster. Europe and Detroit used early torsion bar suspension technology in the 1930s and 1940s in cars and military equipment, but Airstream perfected it for RVs in 1961. Not towing level, which puts more weight and strain on one axle. Youll get better fuel economy and better battery range for your tow vehicle because the trailer is lighter. To choose a trailer that fits your needs, consider each axles benefits, pros and cons. However, with a proper tow vehicle, it is not a huge cause for concern. Also, when looking at trailer brakes, you need to make sure that you get a brake controller. You can even operate it on your smartphone. You don't want your tow vehicle to sag under the weight of your trailer. Single Vs. 2023 Big Tex Trailer Manufacturing, LLC. The only problem is that the last year these trailers were made was 2009. Lets look at some of the key differences between single and double-axle camper trailers so you can make an informed decision. Trailer Sway: What Causes it and How to Recover - Towed Life And of course, less parts means lower maintenance costs and fewer things to go wrong. A double-axle trailer has four wheels on the ground instead of two and consequently has a much broader footprint on the road. While there is not much difference between the smoothness of each kind of trailer, youll want to find one with less bounce, sway or roughness. In mountainous regions like the west coast, you may find trailer brakes on all sizes of TTs, including pop-ups. However, theyre also more expensive to replace, but you can often limp to safety during a blowout. A little common sense will help you avoid both issues and if you check your tires regularly, you should be able to avoid blowouts. The rule of thumb on these is not to go cheap. Also, there are steps you can take to cut the sway out as you pull this style of a travel trailer. Using them under normal circumstances should not put you in any danger at all. Here are the reasons why your trailer may sway and steps that you should take to prevent it. And, as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. The short answer is that a single-axle trailer has one axle on each end of the wheel, while a dual-axle trailer has two axles placed close together to distribute weight safely. Be careful when towing anything and keep up on trailer maintenance to make them last a long time and be able to safely carry whatever you need to tow. You have 24 hours to edit a comment. Tandem axle travel trailers are the safer of the two but this does not mean single axle trailers are unsafe. Over time, this scuffs off tiny parts of the tread, creating odd wear patterns. Please register below to receive access to the exclusive Luxury RV Campground & RV Resorts Guide. What is your budget? Some types of axles include the following. Under-inflated tires reduce the load-carrying capacity of your vehicle or trailer which can cause sway. Here's how to avoid it: One benefit of having a single axle travel trailer is that you dont have to worry about maintaining and repairing two axles. As a result, they need to be built tough to handle a lot of weight. Like everything in this world, there are always going to be positive and negatives about any item in this world. Uneven weight distribution is a significant cause of trailer swaying. So, whats the verdict? From Innovative Gadgets to Must-have Accessories! This website utilizes some advertising and affiliate services. Regardless of this potential revenue, unless stated otherwise, we only recommend products or services we believe provide value to our readers. #trailersway #trailersnaking #tsc #trailercrashWhat is trailer sway, what's the key to understanding it, does accelerating out work, and what about slowing down?If you've never experienced trailer sway then you're fortunatewatch this before it happens to you so you know what to do!Also check out:10 Things that Make your Trailer Swayhttps://youtu.be/vHVa3kbe-Q0Post questions as comments!Follow me on Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/RobertPepperJourno/Support me on Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/L2SFBCBuy my books: https://l2sfbc.com/where-to-buy/ They offer the perfect blend of comfort, convenience, and RV lifestyle diversity that people desire while still being fuel-efficient and easy to maneuver. With so many types of trailers to choose from, all of which with a seemingly endless number of uses, which trailer is going to fulfil all your needs? Depending on how many people you plan to travel with and how much you are willing to tow, either trailer may be a good decision. If youre looking for a more maneuverable trailer thats easy to tow, then a single axle trailer is probably the best option. If the tow ball mass is too light, this can cause potentially dangerous trailer sway, something everyone who tows seeks to avoid at all costs (see our post on trailer sway control for more . If you make a purchase using our links in this article, we may make a commission. If youre looking for the shortest dual axle travel trailer on the market, youll want to check out the Escape Trailer 19. Despite its compact size, the Escape Trailer 19 offers all the amenities you need for a comfortable journey, including a queen-size bed, kitchenette, and bathroom with a shower.